Reviewed on: April 29,2026
Inmate Phone Calls

Is there a plan that's a flat rate cheaper than per call?

Is there a plan that an inmate can call home, and it costs me a flat monthly rate that's cheaper than each phone call?

No, there are no monthly plans from the carrier at the jail/prison.
Ask The Inmate
Answered by a former federal inmate · 14+ years advising families
✓ Verified answer January 31,2017 · Inmate Phone Calls
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No, there are no monthly plans from the carrier at the jail/prison. The service is contracted by government bid to about 30 prison phone carriers (GlobalTel*Link, SecurusTech, PayTel, ICSolutions, CityTeleCoin, NCIC, Reliance, Telmate, Encartele, Legacy, Correct Solutions Group to name a few). Only one wins the contract and by definition, they are a monopoly. You now pay their rates whatever they are. Some calls are over $20.00 for 15 minutes.

There are other plans similar to our Discount Phone Plan. You can judge them only by their price and the terms because the end result to you is exactly the same. They are NOT a replacement for the service at the jail, just a way to make the overall cost per call lower solely by the phone number the inmate calls. Sometimes the local number provides the best option but in other times, the out of state number is better.

In a nutshell, the carrier with the contract controls the pricing. They have a monopoly, you have to use them. If you are speaking often with your inmate and the calls are more than $2.00, you should give us a call or send an email with the name of the facility and your phone number. We will give you an honest estimate before signing up to see if we have a solution for you that will justify the $19.95 fee we charge for the service each month.

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Accepted Answer Date Created: January 31,2017
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About this answer: This response was prepared by InmateAid’s editorial team in consultation with former inmates who have direct experience with the federal correctional system. InmateAid has served families of the incarcerated since 2012. This is general information only — not legal advice. Last reviewed April 2026.