How Does an Inmate Know When Phone Time Is Added?

The prison phone system does not send inmates a notification the way a bank might send a text alert when a deposit is made. They generally find out one of two ways.

The most common way is simply by attempting a call. When your son picks up the phone and dials out the automated system will confirm there are available funds or minutes in the account before the call connects. If the balance was zero before and now has funds the call will go through where it previously would not have.

The other way is through you. Sending a letter or getting word to him through another channel that you have added phone time gives him the heads up to try calling. Given that two months have passed without phone access a letter letting him know funds are available and that you are looking forward to hearing from him is worth sending alongside the deposit. That letter will arrive in a few days and give him something concrete to act on.

It is also worth confirming that your number is still on his approved contact list at the facility. Phone accounts and approved contact lists are managed separately and a number that was on the list two months ago should still be there but confirming it is active prevents a funded account from still not producing calls due to a contact list issue.

Once he knows the funds are there and attempts a call the connection should be straightforward assuming everything is set up correctly on both ends.