JPay inmate tablets class action overview:ย
- Who: Two Georgia inmates are suing JPay.
- Why: The plaintiffs say the company, which offers services to correctional facilities, operated a scheme to sell tablets to inmates and then take them back without reimbursement.
- Where: The JPay inmate tablets class action was filed in a Georgia federal court.
Two Georgia inmates are suing JPay, alleging the company, which offers services to correctional facilities, operated a scheme to sell tablets to inmates and then take them back without reimbursement.
Plaintiffs Anthony Oliver and Reginald Priddy filed the class action lawsuit against JPay Inc. on July 9 in a Georgia federal court, alleging violations of the U.S. Constitution and breach of contract. The company received a summons July 10.
According to the lawsuit, JPay touts itself as โthe most trusted name in correctionsโ and offers a myriad of services to the correctional industry in more than 46 states.
Sometime in 2014, JPay entered into contracts with over 31 Departments of Corrections throughout the United States, including the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC), to provide incarcerated inmates with tablets similar to an Apple iPad that allow them to send JPay-approved emails to family, friends and lawyers, the lawsuit states.ย
However, in 2020, JPay sought to โput in place the biggest money making scheme to take advantage of the most vulnerable people: GDC inmates and their families,โ the class action alleges.
It allegedly did this by advertising new tablets to inmates and prisoners they could purchase directly from inmate trust accounts. However, months after purchasing and receiving the tablets, the plaintiffs say they were told to return them and faced disciplinary action if they did not, the lawsuit claims.
Inmates threatened with discipline if they didnโt return tablets, class action states
Plaintiff Oliver says he purchased a new JP5 tablet from JPay in May 2021. He alleges the tablet did not sync at the kiosk as promised, and, four months later, GDC issued a memorandum and order that JPay wanted all of its new tablets back. Inmates were told if they did not return them, GDC would issue a disciplinary report, the lawsuit states. In the memorandum, JPay told GDC and its inmates it would issue them new JPay tablets.ย
โHowever it may be, this was false as JPay never had any intention of installing new kiosk machines, or issuing GDC inmates like the Plaintiffs, a new JPay tablet,โ the class action alleges. โRather, JPay engineered this scheme to ensure it would get back all of its sold merchandise to resell to other inmates throughout the United States.โ
The lawsuit seeks to represent all inmates who purchased a new JPay tablet after Jan. 1, 2019, which was then taken away.
The plaintiffs are suing for alleged breach of the Fifth Amendment and breach of contract. They seek certification of the class action, damages, fees, costs, a jury trial and an injunction forcing JPay to stop its alleged illegal behavior.ย
In other correctional news, in May, Inmate Services agreed to a $625,000 class action lawsuit settlement to resolve claims it subjected inmates to brutal conditions during transportation.
What do you think of the allegations against JPay in this case? Let us know in the comments.
The plaintiffs are represented by McNeill Stokes.ย
The JPay inmate class action lawsuit is Anthony Oliver, et al. v. Jpay LLC, Case No. 1:23-cv-03031-SEG-CMS, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta Division.
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30 thoughts onJPay class action claims company took back tablets sold to inmates
My son was incarnated in GA I paid for games and two tablets at two different facilities.
My son is incarcerated in Ohio and I paid for his jp6 and there was 2-300 dollars of games on it. They have not been used for awhile. Last night they searched out sonโs things and said the player is contraband and took it, plus wrote him a ticket for disciplinary action. It will be addressed tomorrow. This is ridiculous when they allowed them and it should be given to me or reimbursed. Neither was done. I havenโt called the prison because he says if you complain they will retaliate on him and possibly send him somewhere else. This is very wrong and a violation of a personโs rights. I would like to be a part of the litagation
Y son was released from prison I 2021. The person kept his tablet and all his electronics. I payed money for these electronics and I have been very upset about this issue. This was his personal property and the prison and pay had no right to take said property. MAD. Thank you Kathy Newbraugh
305 Layman Street
Fairmont WV 26554
The same here thatโs also gos for the music and games purchase from JPay every time a message is sent to JP about the issue they always say to speak to your facility coordinator
Same here that also gos for the games and music that had be purchased
My husband was told when he was leaving prison that the Jpay5 that heโd paid for games and music and the company said 5 they would factory reset it and heโd lose all of his purchases and send back only a few select items on a SD card, losing over 1,000 dollars of purchases.
He has not turned it in and he still cannot use it.
I bought 3 JPay devices and didnโt never receive 2 and they took the last one
I have purchased a jp5 tablet three times in the department of corrections they have took them from me and not refunded me none of my money as a breach of contract sign me up for the lawsuit