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
Yes, it is possible in some cases, but international calling from federal prison is complicated and the rules vary by facility.
Most federal facilities use a contracted phone provider, typically Securus or ICSolutions, and international calls are not automatically enabled on every account. The number you want to reach has to be on the inmate's approved call list first, and not all providers support international numbers in every country. Getting an international number approved requires submitting it through the proper channels...
Read moreSubject: Inmate phone calls
The Discount Telephone Service helps whomever is paying the bill for the calls. If you are putting money on your inmate's books, then it would probably be beneficial to get more calls for the amount you've sent than less, right? Our service does not replace what the inmate has to do to make a call. They have to pay for the outbound call to the prison phone company. We just make that call cheaper. Inmost cases, the local call is...
Read moreSubject: Inmate phone calls
The inmate must make the outbound call. They cannot receive calls. All of the prison facilities in the United States operate the same way. They award the contract to one phone company who is the sole provider for that detention center. All calls are tape recorded by them and they get paid for every call. You have to use them, no matter what. The choice you make is whether to pay them a little, or pay them a lot.
Our service...
Read moreSubject: Inmate phone calls
It depends on the facility, the security level and any restrictions imposed on your inmate. The federal system allows calling from 6am - 9:30pm but restrict their minutes to 300 per month. County jails usually have the phones open all day and night, some even have phones in the cell. State prisons have a wide range of options and the main determinant is the restriction on each inmate. Some can only call once a day and others have none whatsoever....
Read moreSubject: Inmate phone calls
The ASPC Yuma facility has a contract with Securus. You have to use them regardless. It is NOT possible to get another account that will replace Securus - you must keep using them. What Prison Call Solutions does is what InmateAid does better. We get a telephone number that will make the calls only $1.84 each. You will still pay Securus $1.84 for each call, but if you are saving over $5.00 per call, the InmateAid flat rate of $19.95...
Read moreSubject: Inmate phone calls
Inmates can generally use the phone as often as they want. However the restrictions might be limited to how much money the inmate has in their account. The InmateAid Discount Telephone Service will stretch that dollar - write us at aid@inmateaid.com for more information
Federal prison: 300 minutes per month, 400 minutes for Nov/Dec.
State prison and county jail: no limit to the monthly minutes
Subject: Inmate phone calls
They are not unlimited. There are many plans out there, the ones publicizing unlimited are not being honest; there are many add-on charges that mysteriously appear on your charge card - after you've signed up and it it too late.
InmateAid's service is totally disclosed at the time of the purchase. We charge $19.95 for either 300 minutes or 1000 minutes depending on the plan you choose. Whatever service you decide on, you will ALWAYS have to use the service at...
Read moreSubject: Inmate phone calls
To create a Discount telephone Account with InmateAid, you will go to your My Account area of the website after logging in. Click on the link for Discount Telephone Lines and then click the "Add Local Line" button. Once you are past that page it will prompt you to select a state, facility, an inmate name and id number. Then you will add your current phone number and a contact name. Then you select the plan, either Quarterly or Monthly....
Read moreSubject: Inmate phone calls
Depending on the facility, it could be immediate or it might be several days. If your inmate has to go through Admissions & Orientation, there will be a short delay before the privileges are set up and working for your inmate.
Subject: Inmate phone calls
Yes, you still have to go through GTL. The discount phone service does not replace the prison phone company, it works with it to lower the cost.
Here is how to set it up correctly:
1. Set up your GTL account
Go to the GTL system and create your account as you normally would.
2. Use the number provided to you
When registering, use the local number you were given, not your personal phone number.
That is the number your inmate will call.
3. How it works together
Your...
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