You have two main options, and each works a little differently depending on what matters most to you.
1. Putting money on his books (commissary):
- He can use that money to buy phone cards inside
- This can help avoid some setup or deposit fees from outside phone providers
- Calls may be more straightforward and sometimes cheaper
Downside:
- Once the money is on his account, he can spend it however he wants
- Calls to anyone
- Commissary items like food or hygiene products
2. Setting up a phone account:
- You create and fund an account with the facility’s phone provider (sometimes referred to as services like Infinity or others depending on the jail)
- This gives you more control over where the calls go
- Your number must be approved for him to call
Cost considerations:
- Phone cards can avoid some fees but offer less control
- Phone accounts can be more controlled but may include extra charges
Best way to save money overall:
- Use a local number setup (like InmateAid) so his calls are billed as local instead of long distance
- This can reduce the cost by several dollars per call regardless of which option you choose
Bottom line:
- If control matters, use a phone account
- If simplicity and fewer fees matter, commissary phone cards can work
- For the biggest savings, combine either option with a local number strategy
It really comes down to whether you want control over the spending or the lowest upfront cost.