How Can I Receive Calls From an Inmate if I Have No Money?

This is a genuinely difficult situation and options are limited, but there are a few things worth trying.

Contact the facility's chaplain. Ask specifically whether the facility has an indigent communication program that allows inmates with no funds to make at least one call to notify family. Some jails have provisions for this, particularly for recently arrested individuals who have not yet had any contact with the outside. The chaplain is often the most accessible person to ask.

Ask about a free one-time call. Many jails allow a new arrestee one courtesy call at booking. If your boyfriend has not been able to reach you yet, he may be able to request this through the booking officer or a housing officer.

Write a letter. Once you know which facility he is in, send a letter as soon as possible. Letters do not require a phone account or any payment on your end beyond a postage stamp. Include your address, phone number, and any relevant information he needs. If he has access to paper and stamps through an indigent program at the facility, he can write back.

Find out the facility's phone provider. Some phone providers like GTL allow free account registration with a debit or credit card that can be loaded later. If you can borrow a card temporarily to set up the account and accept the first call, you can sort out funding afterward.

Reach out to family or friends. If anyone in your circle can put even a small amount onto a phone account or send money to the facility, that opens communication quickly.

For the vehicle, expired plates and no insurance are typically misdemeanor offenses. The impound fees are often a bigger immediate concern than the charges themselves. Once you establish contact with your boyfriend, he can advise you on what he needs and who to call about the car.