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.
Subject: Inmate phone calls
yes - 9:30 pm
Subject: Inmate phone calls
Yes, you have to set up a pre-paid account with the phone carrier at the facility. Use the number that we provided onto their service - it is the number that makes the calls 50% cheaper, but they are not free.
Subject: Inmate phone calls
YES! With your number, the 15-minute call is $3.19, a local number would drop the call price to $1.72, you save $1.47 per call.
Subject: Inmate phone calls
Yes, usually at 9:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Subject: Inmate phone calls
Yes it is, if you want to see if we can save you money, please send an email with your phone number and the facility - we will give you an honest estimate of the savings (if any)
Subject: Inmate phone calls
Yes, you do, the application process is jail-related and is mandatory whether you use IA or not.
Subject: Inmate phone calls
You cannot call the jail and speak to an inmate. The inmate must initiate the call.
Subject: Inmate phone calls
Yes, as long as you can wrap your head around the fact you are paying two companies to get the calls cheaper. We can save folks money in 70% of the situations. If you speak to your inmate more than once a week, this is probably for you.
Subject: Inmate phone calls
InmateAid does not replace the prison phone company. Our Discount Phone Service works by using software to compare inmate call prices for all of the 25 or so prison phone carriers against all possible tariff scenarios. In 80% of the cases, a change in phone number will reduce the calls by up to 90% (usually 40-50%).
Some prisons use a system where the LOCAL line is the lowest price. So if you are not local, your calls will be 3-4 times more than a...
Read moreSubject: Inmate phone calls
Yes
