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
Subject: Inmate phone calls
Sometimes yes, but it depends entirely on the facility and the phone provider they use.
Years ago, getting a local number in the same area code as the prison often lowered the cost because calls were billed as local instead of long distance. That still works in some places, but the industry has changed a lot. Today, there are dozens of providers, and many no longer price calls strictly based on distance.
In some systems:
Local numbers can still reduce the per minute...
Read moreSubject: Inmate phone calls
The phone service in all of the jails, prisons and detention centers put their phone service out to government bid. The winning company shares revenue with the institution and essentially has a monopoly. InmateAid does not replace their service, we make theirs cheaper to use with a phone number that brings the lowest possible price. If you would like an honest estimate of the possible savings, please email us your telephone number and we will let you know the potential...
Read moreSubject: Inmate phone calls
We are not a replacement for the phone service at the jail, we provide you with a number that will make their service cheaper to use. You take our number and place it on their account. The cost of the calls will be reduced enough to justify our fee in about 4-5 calls. If you speak to your inmate everyday or every other day the savings you get with our number will make you happy.
Subject: Inmate phone calls
yes, the line is 100% operational from when you receive it via email
Subject: Inmate phone calls
The one that gets you the right number for the right facility under the plan that their carrier offers. InmateAid's [Discount Telephone Service](https://www.inmateaid.com/shop/calls) is pretty good. There are two solid plans, no contracts, number replacements are no charge, cancel anytime. If you would like to see an honest estimate of the savings (if any), send us the state, name of facility and your telephone number to aid@INMATEAID.COM
Subject: Inmate phone calls
Yes you do. The reason that this works in your favor is the amount you actually spend in a given month. If your calls are costing $5-8 each, we can get a number that will bring the price to about $1.65. The difference in the two prices is why people use InmateAid, if you speak often to your inmate the savings will justify the $19.95/month fee. Here's an example: You pay the carrier $6.00 per call for every day in...
Read moreSubject: Inmate phone calls
You have to find out who is the phone carrier at the location where your inmate is incarcerated. Once we know that information, we can better evaluate your situation. Send us the institution name and state along with your telephone number to aid@inmateaid.com and we will give you an honest estimate of the savings we can get you, if any.
Subject: Inmate phone calls
Downstate Correctional Facility is a maximum-security prison in Fishkill, New York. Most inmates sent to this type of facility are there for a "sentence", not a short stay - this is not a holding facility. The phone service there is called GTL (offenderconnect.com). You have to use them regardless - if your are long distance, the calls will be $6.00 or so. We can get the calls to about $1.65. If you are going to speak with your boyfriend only...
Read moreSubject: Inmate phone calls
In most cases, inmates may call cellphones. The rules are created for the and by the prison phone companies, they have a government contract making them the only service you may use. As you'd expect, the rates are pretty expensive. InmateAid has a discount telephone service that can save 90% off some inmate calls. Send us the name of the facility and we will give you an honest estimate whether we can help save you money, too.
Subject: Inmate phone calls
No, you have to send money to their inmate trust account. It is there that they can pay for phone time
Subject: Inmate phone calls
Remember, InmateAid's Discount Telephone Service is not a replacement for the service at the jail (GTL), but we get you a local telephone number to make their calls the cheapest they offer. Local calls are about $4.00 less than an in-state long distance call. You still pay the local rate, but the savings of $4.00+ per call justifies the $19.95/month fee in only five calls.
Subject: Inmate phone calls
According to the FCC, some prison inmates have had to pay as much as $17 for a 15 minute phone call. There is only one way to beat these rates, and calling collect is not it. You need to acquire the best phone number for the rate center of that facility. InmateAid has a fairly priced solution, to see if this is right for your, email us your telephone number and the prison or jail where your inmate is located...
Read moreSubject: Inmate phone calls
She will not know about the new number to dial until you or someone else lets her know. We will provide a coupon code for you to use in letting her know. If you can get the number to her through a staff member you could try that. It is not 100% effective.
The concept of the service is that it is the number that provides the discount through the company with the contract for the facility your inmate is...
Read moreSubject: Inmate phone calls
Inmates can call collect as long as it is to a land line that has a billing arrangement with the carrier. Generally what has happened to this feature is that with so many cell phones in use, there is no way for the carrier to bill you after-the-fact, which is why this option is not as popular as it was before
Subject: Inmate phone calls
Valdosta State Prison uses GlobalTel*Link (connectnetwork.com) as they carrier. You have to set up an account with them to receive calls. There is a distinct price difference between the cost of a long distance call and the cost of a local call. We can get you a Valdosta GA number and save $4.35 per call. If you would like an honest assessment of your situation, please email us your telephone number and we will let you know if this would...
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