People in custody can still use the tablets for education, entertainment and legal research, including the law library.

The move follows Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley's Friday, Oct. 9 directive to suspend tablet messaging at the Community Reintegration Center and his call for the MCSO to do the same.

The county's contract with tablet supplier IC Solutions covers both facilities, and the Sheriff's Office says it wants a consistent approach.

"Victims and witnesses must be able to take part in the justice system without fear," Sheriff Denita Ball said in the Tuesday announcement. Messaging will stay suspended until the office is confident any changes will protect victims and witnesses without compromising jail security.

The Sheriff's Office also says some recent public claims about the tablets were inaccurate. It says the tablets have no internet access, cannot place calls and are unblocked only during limited periods each day. Messages go only to recipients who agree to them and create an account verified with a government-issued ID. The office says the service is paid for through fees from people in custody and their families, not the county budget.

Anyone who believes a person in custody contacted them against their wishes can ask the office to block that person's messages using a form by clicking here.