Staying Connected: How Tablets, Calls, and Emergency Non‑Collect Calls Work at Allegheny County Jail
At Allegheny County Jail, tablets are central to staying connected—for calls, requests, and more. Here's how the tablet sign-out process works, what calls sound like on your end, and how emergency or approved non-collect calls get requested and scheduled.
To sign out a tablet at Allegheny County Jail, an incarcerated person fills out the Tablet Sign-Out Sheet with their DOC number, name, signature, and cell number. They also record the tablet tag number from the back of the device, matching it to the correct line on the sheet. Officers verify the DOC number and confirm the tablet matches the tag number before handing it over.
Returning a tablet isn't just a quick hand-off. Officers check that the device matches the tablet tag recorded under that person's name and inspect it for damage before completing the return.
If a tablet is damaged: Staff must notify supervisory staff immediately and file both a misconduct report and an informal resolution report charging destruction of property.
When you receive a call from an inmate tablet, you'll hear an announcement identifying the call as coming from an inmate at Allegheny County Jail. This announcement may repeat during the conversation - it's normal, so don't be caught off guard if it interrupts.
Tablets serve more than communication. Incarcerated people can also use them to submit electronic requests or complaints directly to the appropriate staff - without censorship.
Waiting on a response? Policy requires staff to respond within ten working days at each level. Keep in mind that "working days" excludes Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays - so depending on the calendar, the wait may feel longer.
- ✓ Inmates are only allowed to submit one (1) electronic request/complaint to each department per day.
- ✓ There is no limit on the amount of PREA electronic request/complaints an inmate can submit.
- Ask the right staff for a non-collect call - The incarcerated individual must make the request to the Caseworker Department, the Unit Manager, a sergeant, or a captain.
- Wait for the request to be reviewed - That caseworker, unit manager, sergeant, or captain evaluates and reviews the request before it can move forward.
Once a non-collect call request is reviewed and approved, the reviewing staff member - whether a caseworker, unit manager, sergeant, or captain - forwards it to the Level 5 Video Department. They handle scheduling and facilitate the call.
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