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
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...
Read moreSubject: Inmate phone calls
Our Discount Telephone Service works for almost every facility in the country. If you send us your telephone number and the name of the facility, we will give you an honest estimate before you sign up.
