Custom Stratix Solution Helps Rehabilitate Prison Inmates 

Studies show that prison work and education programs reduce recidivism rates by nearly 15 percent, bring an almost seven percent higher likelihood of post-incarceration employment, and result in higher average wages. Because of that value, about 9 in 10 state prisons, all federal prisons, and almost 9 in 10 private prisons offer educational programs for their inmates. One of the largest providers works in prisons in nearly half of the lower 48 states, and they asked Stratix to solve a unique challenge. 

Learners Don’t ‘Hit the Books’ Anymore 

Just as in K-12 and higher education, teaching methods for inmates have migrated from printed textbooks to digital platforms. Digital materials can be updated in real time, ensuring learners have access to the most current information. Digital instruction also incorporates interactive elements like videos, quizzes, simulations, and clickable links, making learning more engaging and dynamic. This hands-on experience can help reinforce understanding better than static text. Prison educators have also found mobile tablets to be highly effective because inmates can take them to their cells and work independently instead of only using digital materials in classrooms or computer labs. 

Digital Instruction in Prisons Isn’t Like Anywhere Else 

But while digital learning with mobile tablets is more effective, the prison environment requires significant safeguards. Tablets must be completely locked down to prevent misuse, such as accessing prohibited websites, communicating with unauthorized individuals, or coordinating illegal activities. Mobile devices and cases can also be broken into pieces for use as weapons or used as a way to pass messages between prisoners. 

The Stratix Specialty Products Group Accepts the Challenge 

While many rugged cases are available on the consumer market for tablets, none meet all the requirements for prison use. So, the large prison educator turned to the engineers on the Stratix Specialty Products Group team. 

The solution the company wanted had to include custom security hardware and prevent the case being used as a weapon. The case had to be perfectly clear, not obstruct any buttons or ports, and not allow notes to be inserted and passed to other inmates. 

The Stratix team created and manufactured an injected molded transparent tablet case for safe use in a prison environment. Our solution featured a proprietary ultrasonic seam weld and self-sealing bezel surrounding the Lexan screen cover. 

The Result 

With the highly-rugged cases, inmates are free to pursue their studies, and administrators know devices aren’t being used for anything nefarious. Because the cases are custom-made, the education provider can choose any tablet it wants for its programs—whether for performance or budgetary reasons. The project is just one of dozens of custom case challenges the Stratix Specialty Products Group has taken on over the years. Many of our customers have unique workflows or operating environments where “off-the-shelf” cases won’t get the job done.