The vast majority (95%) of prisons in Russia are connected to systems that allow you to email or make an audio or video call to a prisoner. Vladimir Allahverdov, managing partner of ZT (formerly Zonatelecom), told socialbites.ca about this.
“95% of institutions are equipped with our systems. But in some cases there may be a system for negotiations but not for correspondence. And vice versa,” said Allahverdov.
ZT is one of the leaders in the communications market for special forces. To organize communication between prisoners and their relatives and friends, their company uses its own software and hardware complex (SHC) in each institution, including subscriber terminals or programmed multifunctional devices (MFPs). The subscriber terminal is usually a metal cabinet containing a screen, camera and handset, reminiscent of autonomous points for replenishing the balance of a telephone account. MFPs are traditionally large printers that can often be seen in any office. MFPs in prisons receive letters sent by ZT users directly.
“As part of the provision of services to the private union, we, like our colleagues in the market, cover all costs of use to FSIN institutions to ensure the operation of the equipment. “All maintenance is done by our employees,” added Allahverdov.
Read more about what services people serving time in Russian prisons have access to in socialbites.ca’s exclusive material.