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, absolutely!
Subject: Inmate phone calls
usually about a week. there is an orientation that they must complete before the phones are open to them
Subject: Inmate phone calls
Not really, the phones are open from 6:30 am to 9:30 pm with a couple of hours blocked off in the middle of the day when the inmates are supposed to be at their work assignment
Subject: Inmate phone calls
...figure about a week
Subject: Inmate phone calls
the only way is to write them a letter... tell them how you feel, remind them of your telephone number and see "if you can help by paying for the phone time".
Subject: Inmate phone calls
Yes, absolutely! Simply email us at aid@inmateaid.com to request a "change of inmate facility" and provide us with the details and we are happy to transfer the minutes
Subject: Inmate phone calls
This happens more often than you would think, and it is usually a simple fix.
Most inmate phone systems have a feature where pressing a certain key during an incoming call, often a number on the keypad, triggers an automatic block on that number. It is easy to do accidentally, especially if you are fumbling with the phone or hit a button while trying to answer. The good news is it is not permanent.
Call the facility directly and ask to speak...
Read moreSubject: Inmate phone calls
Good news. The service works the same way for state prison as it does for county jail.
Here is how it works. Every facility uses a phone carrier, and that carrier sets rates based on the phone number being called. Those rates vary depending on the number's area code, carrier, and location. InmateAid's system runs your number through an algorithm that checks the carrier's own rate calculator and determines whether a different forwarding number can connect you to your inmate at...
Read moreSubject: Inmate phone calls
Hay más de 18.000 prisiones y cárceles y alrededor de 25 compañías telefónicas independientes que contratan instalaciones individuales. En casi todos los casos, existe una amplia variación de precios según su ubicación. En la prisión federal, las tarifas son de seis centavos por minuto para un número local, 21 centavos por minuto para una llamada de larga distancia. Cualquier número local ayudará a un preso federal a ahorrar dinero.
Emitimos la línea local, se la dan al interno que tiene que...
Read moreSubject: Inmate phone calls
We have an algorithm that tells our system what number is the lowest priced. We use all of the carrier's own rate calculators to determine if we issue a line or not. Here is a link to the Securus' Rate Calculator (https://securustech.online/#/rate-quote). This rate calculator allows the customer to see what the rates are... in many cases the savings are 50-75% off.
