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
Yes, absolutely... we currently have people communicating with inmates at this facility
Read moreGo to inmateaid.com/shop/bop-calls to sign up for federal inmates; inmateaid.com/shop/calls for state inmates. Easy process: *Enter facility name *Enter their phone number *Enter their name and email address *Pay $8.95 for FEDERAL with cc or debit card via encrypted third-party tokenization platform *Pay $19.95 for STATE with cc or debit card via encrypted third-party tokenization platform *Local number is delivered instantly on the screen, texted and emailed, too. *Each month on the same date, $8.95 (or $19.95) will
Read moreNo, there are no programs at $8.95 that includes international calling
Read moreYes, they do, as do all other facilities. The magic of this program is knowing who the specific carrier is and what rates they charge for certain numbers. Please send us your current phone number (home or cell) and we will give you an honest estimate of the savings. Sometimes there are no savings but in about 75% of the cases, we can save you money.
Read moreYou can do it either way. You can make sure the Securus account is funded (remember that they take a big fee for depositing) OR the inmate can buy time at the county jail which would bypass the extra fee for depositing. Just make sure you have an IA number so that you are getting the most for your money. No one at the phone carrier level will assist you in saving money, you can be certain about that!
Read more100% legitimate. The website has been in business helping hundreds of thousands of people trying to save money dealing with someone in prison or jail. InmateAid has been the subject of many news stories lauding the good work they do, the money they save, all created by a former inmate whose family had to deal with what you are dealing with now.
Read moreIt is very easy. Go to inmateaid.com/shop/bop-calls to sign up. Easy process- *Enter facility name - FCI Beaumont *Enter your phone number *Enter your name and email address *Pay $8.95 with cc or debit card via encrypted third-party tokenization platform *Local number is delivered instantly on the screen, texted and emailed, too. *Each month on the same date, $8.95 will be deducted until you click cancel button on the account Just to be clear, there are NO programs where
Read moreYes, that is true, 225 area code is long distance to 318. In fact, there are several places where 318 is not local to all 318 numbers. Email us and we will check the numbers for you.
Read moreYou can, but be nice when you call because they do not have to do this for you.
Read moreAs many times as they have money for the calls. Email us the facility where your inmate is located, in most cases, we can get you a phone number that will dramatically reduce the price of every call.
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