Pottawattamie County Jail
The Challenge
The Pottawattamie County Jail relied on a legacy commissary/communications vendor with outdated wall-mounted phones and kiosks. These systems were burdensome for staff to manage, call quality was poor, limited communication options for incarcerated individuals, and charged families unfair per-minute fees that made staying connected unnecessarily expensive.
The Solution: CID Net
In May 2023, Pottawattamie County Jail partnered with Encartele to transition all inmate communications to CID Net. The facility replaced legacy phones and kiosks with assigned handheld devices for every incarcerated individual. These handhelds provided access to education, affordable communication, and other resources, while also easing administrative tasks for staff.
A critical part of the rollout was the creation of a Handheld Device Policy, developed in close collaboration with the jail’s leadership team. Refined through trial, error, and iteration, this policy became the standard framework for deployment, charging, collection, and management of handheld devices across Encartele’s implementations.
The Results
Streamlined processes for device management and fewer communication-related headaches.
Modern, internet-based communication tools ensured consistent performance.
By eliminating per-minute rounded billing, families only pay for the time they use, making connection more affordable.
Handheld devices provided incarcerated individuals with opportunities for education and personal growth during their stay.
Why It Matters
The partnership with Pottawattamie County Jail illustrates how CID Net transforms corrections technology by replacing outdated phone systems with an Internet Applications Provider (IAP) model. The result is a modern, fair, and reliable communications system that reduces staff burden, empowers incarcerated individuals, and creates meaningful, affordable connections for families.
Bring CID Net to Your Facility
Learn how Encartele helps correctional facilities upgrade from outdated systems to a platform built for the future.