Federal inmates are set to receive their own tablets to use for educational and career advancement, according to the Bureau of Prisons (BOP).On Wednesday, the BOP announced that it had inked a tablet services contract that will "dramatically modernize the agency’s approach to communication, education, rehabilitation and daily operations across its facilities nationwide."The BOP also said inmates will be given access to secure messages and video services to help them "maintain healthy relationships with loved ones, an essential factor proven to reduce recidivism."WILD VIDEO SHOWS INMATES RIOTING INSIDE JAIL AFTER FRUSTRATIONS OVER ACCESS BOIL OVERInmate David Class poses for a portrait with a program and educational tablet supplied by the Department of Corrections at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution.(Craig F.
Walker/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)Per the announcement, the tablets will be made available to all inmates in BOP custody.There are more than 138,000 prisoners in federal corrections facilities."Our first priority is the safety of our staff and the security of our institutions," said BOP Director William K.
Marshall III."This contract modernizes outdated operations, reduces administrative burdens, and allows staff to focus on the critical work of maintaining safe facilities while expanding opportunities for rehabilitation and successful reentry."Officials said the tablets will assist inmates with literacy support, evidence-based rehabilitative programs, faith-based materials, health care information and job preparation content.NEW YORK SHERIFFS 'MAD AS HELL' AS HOCHUL PUSHES TO BAN KEY LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNERSHIPInmates Christopher Merced, left, and David Class demonstrate the different uses of a program and educational tablet supplied by the Department of Corrections at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution.
(Craig F.Walker/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)The tablets will also reduce administrative burden for staff by moving traditi...