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
InmateAid is NOT a replacement for the phone service at the prison or jail, we make their service cheaper with local phone numbers (or in the case of Securus, NCIC or City TeleCoin we get out of state numbers to save you money). Sometimes our service can save you as much as $12.00 per phone call, other times it will not save anything. If you would like to get an honest assessment, let us know the name of the facility...
Read moreSubject: Inmate phone calls
You have almost finished the process. You've entered your inmate, their location and your number. The phone carrier at the Central Virginia Regional Jail is Securus. We are not a replacement for them, we get you a local number to make the calls cheaper when you use them. We charge $19.95 per month to get you the number and the forwarding of the long distance call to the phone line you've given us. By getting this local number, you are...
Read moreSubject: Inmate phone calls
The phone service at a particular correctional center is set up through bid process. Whichever company has the contract for all of the inmate outbound calls is doing the business without any competition. Therefore, you have to use them to receive any calls. The choice is whether you pay them for a long distance call (to your number) or a local call (to a number that we get for you). If you are already local, we cannot save you money...
Read moreSubject: Inmate phone calls
They are normally able to call within a few day, even with an ICE hold as long as you have money on the phone carrier that has the contract.
We might be able to make those calls less expensive, We get you a new local number matched to the rate center of the detention facility where your inmate is held; it is with that number your inmate dials to connect to you. The savings you receive are different in every...
Read moreSubject: Inmate phone calls
The service at the San Joaquin County Jail is Securus. We have just checked the rates for this facility and there is an option that will definitely save you money. With your permission, we will reactivate your charges and issue you a number that is actually outside of California altogether. There is a 45% savings per call with this number. Please let us know if this is something you'd like us to do.
Subject: Inmate phone calls
You cannot call your inmate, they cannot accept calls. Inmates must initiate the call to you. There are a couple of prisons in Waco, they are [Jack Harwell Detention Center](https://www.inmateaid.com/prisons/jack-harwell-detention-center-lasalle-ice) and the [McLennan County Jail](https://www.inmateaid.com/prisons/mclennan-county-tx-jail-highway-6). Both facilities use GlobalTel*Link as their provider. If you are in Waco, the calls are $1.65, if you are long distance the calls are at least $5.60. If you are not local, we would get you a Waco number which would save you...
Read moreSubject: Inmate phone calls
Since you do not have a number through InmateAID we wouldnt be able to see their call log or have any knowledge of why they haven't called. You might consider looking in to getting one. In most cases, we can find phone numbers that will dramatically reduce the price of a Securus call. Securus posts all their rates online - send us your telephone number, we will match it to your inmate's location ([Monterey County Main Jail](https://www.inmateaid.com/prisons/monterey-county-main-jail)) and give you an...
Read moreSubject: Inmate phone calls
Yes, there are no problems changing number - just email us the change and we will do it immediately
Subject: Inmate phone calls
You would login to your My Account area. Click on Discount Telephone, then click on Add Local line. Then include the State, Facility, Your Telephone Number and select the plan either Monthly or Quarterly. The next screen you will see is the breakdown of what you are paying for. Then click to the next screen which is a checkout page where you enter your credit/debit card information. After your payment goes through it will immediately email your receipt of purchase....
Read moreSubject: Inmate phone calls
No, inmate outbound calls are NOT and never have been free. All of the jails, prisons and detention centers have set their phone service to a government bid process. The winner of the contract has a monopoly on all of the calls. They can set their prices without worrying about competition. The calls are far from free. Our service works in 80% of the cases and if it works in your case, the savings could be substantial.
Send us your telephone...
Read moreSubject: Inmate phone calls
Every jail, prison or detention center sets their time limits on inmate calls. You have to be mindful that there are a limited number of phones and the inmates wait in line to use it. If there were no limits you'd have some angry inmates who'd have to wait more than an allotted 15-20 minutes span. There are some county jails where the time is longer but's it's rare.
Subject: Inmate phone calls
The phone service at all of the prisons, jails and detention centers are set up through bid process. The winner of the contract is the ONLY provider for that facility making them a monopoly. Whomever has the contract for all inmate outbound calling and to tape record the calls, then you have to use them to receive calls. The choice is whether you pay them for a long distance call or a local call (to a number we get for...
Read moreSubject: Inmate phone calls
Unfortunately, the inmate's calls are not and never will be free.
Subject: Inmate phone calls
Yes, you still pay for the call to the phone carrier that has the contract at the jail/prison. InmateAid is not a replacement for their service, we just make the calls cheaper with a better number. Our fee covers the phone line rental and the long distance minutes. You are still paying for the local call. In most cases, the local call is 1/4 of the cost of the call, the long distance portion is 3/4 of the cost.
Subject: Inmate phone calls
No, all of the phone calling cards available for use by inmates must be purchased at the commissary from money on their inmate trust account. If you are long distance you might look into our Discount Telephone Service. We are able to cut the prices of phone calls for about 80% of the situations. Send us the name of the facility and your phone number, we will assess the situation and give you an honest estimate of call prices with...
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