That's common in government work. It's usually for the purpose of emailing/texting at work and nothing else.

I know half a dozen people who have a separate work phone they turn off when they get home.

Government procurement moves slooooowly, and BlackBerry has already been through the exhaustive process of security vetting that's required for gear that's going to be used in sensitive locations like the White House. I'm sure there's Apple and Android gear making its way through that process now, but it wouldn't surprise me if it wasn't all the way through yet.

Security, innit.

maybe it can be used as a cautionary tale. inspiration to build for the future, not the past.

(edit: wow, this is what becomes my first down voted comment on hn?! apologies to the blackberry crowd I offended)