Law360 Quotes Professor Bala on Tablet Use in Jails and Prisons

Professor Nila Bala was quoted extensively in a June 13 Law360 article about jails and prisons phasing out physical mail for incarcerated people in favor of scanned and digitized letters available via tablets. In some instances, the devices also are used in lieu of visits from loved ones and other in-person activities.

“There do seem to be benefits to tablets. I wouldn't advocate eliminating them altogether, especially because incarcerated individuals have expressed a desire to have and keep tablets," Bala told Law360. "On the flip side, tablets can also be used as an excuse to cancel in-person programming and classes, because, 'Hey, it's on your tablet now.'"

In some instances, communications via tablet come with charges to incarcerated people and/or their correspondents.

"There are definitely concerns with this practice as predatory and exploitative since incarcerated people and their loved ones often don't have a choice but to pay the high fees if they want to stay in communication," Bala said.

Prisoner advocates also are concerned that the technology gives prison officials – and private contractors – unlimited access to communications.

"These systems don't just track what's being said,” Bala said. “They enable facilities to log, store and even analyze communications over time, especially with the use of artificial intelligence and virtually unlimited data storage. Reading habits can be monitored — how long individuals spend on a certain page, and what they read over time."

Nila Bala joined the faculty at UC Davis School of Law in 2023. Her research focuses on children’s rights and the criminal justice system, as well as emerging technologies. Her scholarship has appeared or is forthcoming in the Michigan Law Review, Washington University Law Review and Boston College Law Review, among other journals. Her essays have appeared in the New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times and elsewhere.