Inmate Phone Calls — Ask the Inmate
Prison phone calls are one of the most important lifelines between an incarcerated person and their family, and one of the most expensive. The prison phone industry has historically operated as a near-monopoly charging rates that few other consumer services would get away with. This section covers how the prison phone system works, why rates are so high and what has changed in recent years, how debit calling accounts function, how to get a number approved on an inmate's call list, how InmateAid's local number service reduces call costs by up to 70 percent, and what international callers need to know about reaching a US facility from another country. The questions answered here come from families who are paying too much for calls and from inmates trying to navigate phone access from inside. Understanding how the system works is the first step toward getting the most contact for the least cost. See also our sections on Money Transfer and Commissary.
Related InmateAid Services
MIght be Securus blocking your line to prohibit you from saving money. Here is what the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has to say about their illegal tactics: Commission Ruling Opens Doors For Low-Cost Call Routing Service For Inmates And Their Families https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-323495A1.pdf Petition for Declaratory Ruling of Securus Technologies, Inc - EDOCS https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-13-1990A1.pdf
Read moreIf you are really worried, we would advise you to call the facility and ask to speak to their counselor to see if they have any recent restrictions.
Read moreThe number that you give your inmate is placed on their call list which is through their Trulincs account. When the calls come through the federal prison phone system, there is no caller ID. Normally it will say UNKNOWN. FYI, there is nothing "private" in prison, every call is listened to.
Read moreyes, as long as there is money on their books
Read moreThe inmate is notified that they have money in their trust account by their counselor or through the internal communication system (i.e.Trulincs in BOP)
Read moreWe are not replacing Paytel, we’re getting a number that gets you the lowest rate they offer. In most cases, your calls are $6-7.00 each, we get you the right number that saves over $3.00 per call, it'll pay for itself in only 6 calls. If you talk every day, the service will save a lot more than the $20 fee we charge. That is why this service is loved by thousands since 2012.
Read moreThere are two separate lists, but visitation has a more strict approval process.
Read moreTheir correct address is connectnetwork.com and you want to set up an Advance Pay account. You have to add money when you set up the account. If you have an account already, they will allow you to add the new number from InmateAid - it'll get you at least 50% off, sometimes more. There is a rate calculator on the GlobalTel*Link site to verify the savings you get with the InmateAid number. If we cannot save you money we refund the
Read moreYes, Telmate (gettingout.com) is the carrier at the Winston County Jail. We can get the calls to $3.00 for 15-minutes. If you are paying more per call than that, it's time to start saving money. Call or email and we'll help you get set up.
Read morePretty much any time as long as there are funds on their account and no one is in line in front of them
Read more