How Does an Inmate Make a Phone Call From Jail or Prison

Making a phone call from inside a correctional facility is a straightforward process once everything is set up correctly. Here is how it works.

Your inmate goes to the phone designated for inmate use in their housing unit. These are typically wall mounted phones in a common area accessible during specific times of day set by the facility. Phone access is not available around the clock. Your inmate will know their unit's designated phone hours once they are settled in.

At the phone they will enter their personal PIN number which is assigned to them during intake and tied to their account. This PIN identifies them to the phone system and connects the call to their account balance.

They then dial the number they want to reach. That number must already be on their approved call list. If your number is not on the approved list the call will not connect regardless of how much money is in the account.

Once connected you will hear an automated prompt identifying the call as coming from a correctional facility and giving you the option to accept or decline. You must actively accept the call for it to go through.

The cost of the call is deducted from their account balance per minute as the call proceeds. When the balance runs low they will receive an automated warning. When it reaches zero the call ends.

If their account has money but calls are still not going through the most common reasons are that your number is not yet on the approved call list, their PIN has not been set up correctly, or phone privileges have been temporarily suspended due to a facility issue or disciplinary matter.