Calling An Inmate Using Prison Phone Services!
Making a prison phone call used to be a daunting task, and worrying about the cost and finding the right number to dial was frustrating. Thankfully, there are now inmate calling services that make it easy for friends and family members to get in touch with their incarcerated loved ones.
This article covers how one can set up prison phone services for the first time, the basics of calling an inmate, and do's and don'ts while making a call to an inmate.
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How does prison phone services work?
Prison inmates have very few ways to communicate with the outside world. Phone calls are one of the most important means of communication for inmates and their families. In most cases, prisoners can make phone calls to their family and friends. The calls are usually collect calls. In some cases, the prison may allow inmates to place calls to certain pre-approved phone numbers. There are many inmate phone services in the US. Some of the best are listed below:
Understanding why communication matters so much starts with understanding what daily life actually looks like for someone behind bars. Inmates have very limited ways to connect with the outside world, and each phone call carries real emotional weight. Read our article on what life inside prison really looks like to better appreciate what your loved one is going through every day.
What Is A Collect Call?
When someone is in jail or prison, it might not be easy to communicate with them. Your friend or family member is suddenly confined to a cell and is only permitted to eat, drink, sleep, or speak with visitors when they are instructed to. The most often asked question is, "How do I call my inmate?" You will never be able to phone your inmate; they will only be able to make outbound calls to you. These calls are known as collect calls, and you have to set up an account with the telephone provider before you are allowed to receive such calls on your phone.
A Collect Call collects the money from your phone provider or your credit card when the inmate calls your phone. So it's important to set up an account with the prison phone provider before you can receive calls.
How To Set Up An Account With A Prison Phone Service?
Below are the major telephone providers across the US prisons:
- Securus
- GTL
- IC Solutions
- Quickel
Depending on the provider of the facility, you can choose to set up an account with any one of them. There are many plans on offer from these providers, so you should be able to find one that meets your needs. Setting up an account with an inmate phone calls service is easy. You need to provide some basic information, including the name and inmate ID number of the person you're trying to call. You can also choose to add funds to your account so you don't have to worry about running out of minutes.
How Much Does A Prison Phone Call Cost?
Prison phone accounts work similarly to commissary accounts — they need to be funded before they can be used. If you're already sending money to support your loved one inside, it's worth understanding all the ways those funds can be managed. Read our complete guide on how to send money to an inmate in the US to make sure your loved one always has what they need.
Prison inmates are people who have been convicted and sentenced to a specific term of imprisonment in a penal institution. They are usually kept in a secure facility operated by the state or federal government. In the United States, prison inmates can make phone calls to people who are not incarcerated. The cost of those calls varies by state.
Prison calling can be expensive, but there are ways to keep the cost down. The average price of a 15-minute call is $3.95. However, you can reduce that cost by limiting the time.
Do's and Don'ts While Making a Prison Phone Call
It would help if you kept in mind a few things when using these services to call an inmate.
- Remember, your phone calls are being recorded and tracked. So don't provoke the inmate into doing something illegal.
- Your phone calls are private and cannot be recorded for evidence in court.
- Your call length has some monthly/weekly limit, so it would be a good idea to keep things short.
- Remember to note the phone call timings; it can vary depending on the facility and type of facility.
Staying In Touch With Your Inmate
When you have a loved one in prison, staying in touch is incredibly important. Not only does it help to maintain the relationship, but it can also be a vital connection during trying times. Thankfully, there are several ways to stay in touch using prison phone services.
The most common way to communicate with an inmate is by making a call. Prison phone call rates are often higher than standard phone rates, but there are ways to reduce them. You can also send messages through the prison's messaging system or purchase prepaid calling cards.
Reducing The Prison Phone Call Expense
There are many services online that can help you reduce your call expenses. The most loved hack is using Google Phone. In this technique, you will need to set up a free phone number with Google. Now you can use this to receive calls, and no money will be deducted. But this has limitations and may not work for all providers. We don't encourage the use of any of these techniques. Remember, these might be considered fraud in prison, and you and your inmate could face penalties.
Final Thoughts
Although the world is booming with internet tech, prisons are still stuck with old communication methods. It is mostly because of restrictions on prisoners' access to the outside world. Prison phone calls thus remain one of the most widely used methods of communicating with family and friends. We hope that as tech evolves, video visitation can replace phone calls to some extent. We also hope that prison phone providers will reduce the exorbitant fees they charge.
Prison phone bills can add up to hundreds of dollars a month — a burden many families simply aren't prepared for. If the cost of staying connected is stretching your budget, you're not alone, and there is help available. Our guide on financial assistance programs for families of incarcerated people covers nonprofit subsidies, government benefits, and emergency aid that can help ease the financial pressure.