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
You will have to get the number to your inmate. We will give you a coupon code to send the letter through our service at no charge. Just email us the details and we will send you a coupon code.
Read moreYes they will, but make sure it's not a fake Global Tel, go to connectnetwork.com to be certain. If your calls are long distance, the [InmateAid Discount Telephone Service](https://www.inmateaid.com/shop/calls) can reduce most GTL calls by at least $4.00 each. If you are uncertain, send us your telephone number and the facility name - we will give you an honest estimate before you sign-up
Read moreOur numbers are land lines and can be used to register with any and all of the prison phone services. Securus is aggressive in protecting their high rates and have blocked numbers to force the inmate to dial to the higher tariff phone number. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) website endorses ["Low Cost Inmate Call Routing Services"](https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-323495A1.pdf), please read their statement. You are entitled to procure local lines to save money, the government is not opposed, nor are the prisons, jails and
Read moreYour number is in Dublin-San Ramon CA and is 22 miles from the Contra Costa County - Martinez Detention Center in Martinez CA. The calls from the jail are NOT LOCAL. The carrier there is Global Tel*Link or connectnetwork.com. The call to your number is about $6.00 per call, the call to a Martinez number is only $1.65. The savings in this example are more than $4.00 per call. Our service can get you this number without a contract for
Read moreInmates cannot receive calls. You will have to be on the receiving end of the call. There are several ways that this will work. Collect calls - are about $15 each and the most expensive way to talk. Inmate calling cards - inmates buy them from the commissary and then may dial you direct - the cost of the call is debited off the balance on the card. Pre-paid Account - you will need to set up an account with
Read moreYES WE CAN. If you would like to get an honest assessment, let us know the name of the facility and your telephone number before you sign up. InmateAid is NOT a replacement for the phone service at the prison or jail, we make their service cheaper with local phone numbers. Sometimes our service can save you as much as $12.00 per phone call, other times it will not save anything. Here is how the industry works:
Read moreSend us your telephone number and the facility where he is incarcerated - we will give you an honest estimate before you sign-up
Read moreYes in most cases cell phones are okay, provided there is money on the pre-paid account of the phone service provider chosen by the institution. In cases where you find that they do not allow calls to cell phones, you can [come to InmateAid and we will provide you with an acceptable number](https://www.inmateaid.com/shop/calls) for your inmate to use. We will find the best price for each call, too. When your inmate dials this number, it will forward to your cell
Read moreIt depends on where the call is coming from and what service provider the institution is contracted with. Send us your telephone number and the facility name - we will give you an honest estimate before you sign-up.
Read moreThe fastest way is if you are able to convince an employee at the facility to pass your message to your inmate.
Read more