The phone service at a particular correctional center is set
up through bid process. In this case, Global Tel*Link has the contract for all
inmate outbound calling and to tape record the calls - essentially a monopoly.
Therefore, you have to use them to receive any calls. The choice is whether you
pay GTL for a long distance call (to your number) or a local call (to a number
that we get you). If you are already local, we cannot save you money.
We get you a local line matching the rate center of town where the jail is.
Your inmate dials this local number and it will ring on your current phone
(nothing changes on your end). You will need to register the local number with
GTL (just like you would your long distance number without our service) who
will charge you only for the local call. If your inmate can buy calling cards
from the commissary, you will not need to go online and set this up, they can
dial the local number direct with the card. InmateAid takes care of the long
distance portion of the call.Paying two companies is good if the combined cost is LESS than it would be paying one company. If getting a line from InmateAid for $19.95 saves you $4-5 per call, and you talk to your inmate everyday (saving $150) - which is better?
https://www.inmateaid.com/ask-the-inmate/i-am-trying-to-set-up-phone-services-but-am-not-sure-what-to-do-i-dont-have-a-lot-of-money-so-i-cant-afford-to-pay-globaltel-and-inmateaid-which-is-what-seems-to-be-what-they-want-me-to-do-what-are-we-actually-supposed-to-do-and-what-is-the-cheapest-way-t.amp#answer
Accepted Answer Date Created: June 26,2015