Important note
Correctional communication rules, approved services, fees, schedules, and mail procedures vary by facility and can change. Confirm current requirements directly with the facility or its official communication provider before sending money, mail, photographs, or gifts. Unchained Connections is a public pen-pal directory; it is not a correctional agency, legal or medical service, or messaging provider, and it cannot guarantee that a service is available or that a message will be delivered.
Fees and availability: No price or service listed here should be treated as universal. Check the current facility-approved provider and correctional agency instructions before paying or scheduling.
Introduction
Keeping in touch with a loved one who is jailed is essential for their mental health as well as your relationship. Even if letters and in-person meetings are still vital, phone conversations may provide a more direct and intimate means of communication. However, because correctional facilities have stringent policies and procedures, planning and preparing for a phone conversation with an inmate might be a little more difficult than making a routine contact.
This post will provide you a thorough rundown on how to plan and get ready for a phone conversation with an offender, including topics like comprehending the procedure, using phone systems, and making sure you’re ready for the call.
- Understanding the Inmate Phone System
Usually, outside service providers that collaborate with correctional facilities answer calls from inmates. These service providers handle every aspect, from account setup to call execution. Correctional institutions frequently have constraints with their phone networks, such as time limits, call monitoring, and call fees.
A few essential details about prisoner phone networks are as follows:
Prepaid and Collect Calls: Inmates have two options: they can utilize a prepaid account or make collect calls. The inmate or their family deposits money into a prepaid account, which they may use to make phone calls. The individual who receives the call is responsible for covering the costs in collecting calls.
Time Limits: The majority of calls have a time restriction, usually 15 to 30 minutes, after which they are disconnected. This is frequently done in an effort to provide as many prisoners access to phones as feasible.
Call Monitoring: For security purposes, all calls made by prisoners are often tracked and recorded. Before the discussion starts, inmates frequently hear a tape alerting them that the call is being monitored.
No Private Numbers or Cell Phones: Generally speaking, prisoners are not permitted to dial unapproved numbers or their own cell phones. Calls may only be placed from landlines or pre-approved numbers.
- How to Set Up a Phone Account
Setting up an account with the phone service provider linked to the inmate’s institution is usually a must for receiving or scheduling a call with them.
Setting Up a Prepaid Account or Collect Call Account
Identify the Phone Provider:
Depending on the prison, inmates may utilize Vigilante, ICSolutions, ViaPath / ConnectNetwork (formerly GTL) (Global Tel Link), or Securus as their phone service provider. Asking the detainee or going to the facility’s website will tell you which provider is used.
Create an Account:
Go to the website of the supplier and create an account. You must include your contact details, such as a working phone number and email address.
In order to pay for the calls, you might need to deposit money into the inmate’s prepaid account.
Add Funds to the Account:
When creating a prepaid account, be careful to deposit money that the prisoner will be allowed to use for phone calls. Typically, money orders, credit/debit cards, and other means provided by the supplier can be used to make payments.
Add Your Phone Number:
You must register your phone number as a "verified" contact in several phone systems. This is required in order to receive calls. The supplier will either request your number or use a text message or phone call to confirm it.
Set Up an Inmate Phone List:
The inmate’s name and number might need to be added to an authorized call list. Make sure the institution has your phone number set up for outbound calls because inmates are normally only permitted to call pre-approved numbers.
Phone Setup via Facility or Provider Services:
It’s crucial to confirm with the facility directly whether any more procedures are needed, as some may have their own internal system for scheduling and receiving calls. Additionally, some prisons have web portals to facilitate inmate communication management.
- Scheduling the Call
Generally speaking, prisoners are not allowed to call anyone at any time and are required to abide by the facility’s phone usage policies. Here are some tips for planning and being ready for an inmate phone call:
Know the Inmate’s Phone Call Schedule
Generally speaking, prisoners are only allowed to make phone calls during specific hours, based on the prison’s schedule. While some institutions could offer more flexible scheduling, others would only permit phone calls during certain hours of the day or week. Information about call hours may be provided by the facility or the phone system provider, including:
Weekdays vs. Weekends: While some institutions may provide weekend calling hours, others may only accept calls throughout the week.
Time of Day: Usually in the afternoon or early evening, inmates are allowed to make calls during specific hours.
Days of the Week: Some establishments restrict phone use on specific days of the week. They might only take calls on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, for example.
It’s crucial to talk to the prisoner or the institution about the available calling hours. The number and timing of calls might change based on the facility’s security level and the privileges of the inmate.
Scheduled Call vs. Spontaneous Call
Scheduled Calls: Inmates and their relatives may be able to arrange a call in advance. Usually, this entails scheduling a time slot with the facility directly or through the phone service provider. Verify the time slot well in advance if scheduled calls are available.
Spontaneous Calls: In certain situations, the inmate may call whenever they are able, but they have to do it inside the designated calling hours. However, if you have registered your phone and created an account, be prepared to get a call, as these calls might not always be expected.
Confirming the Call Time
Make careful to check with the inmate the time of the call if you have scheduled one, particularly if you have scheduled it ahead of time. Make sure you’re available and able to take the call if it comes up out of the blue.
- Preparing for the Phone Call
Calling an inmate may be a vital way to establish a connection, but it’s important to be ready for the call. The easy and fruitful conversation is guaranteed by this preparation.
Understand the Rules and Restrictions
Time Limitations: The majority of inmate phone calls are restricted to a specific duration, usually 15 to 30 minutes. Be ready for the call to stop abruptly if you were hoping for a longer talk.
No Privacy: Be aware that calls are frequently recorded and monitored. Typically, inmates are informed before the call starts that their calls are being recorded. This implies that sensitive or private topics should not be discussed during the conversation, and the material should follow prison rules.
Budgeting for the Call: Make sure you have enough money in your account to cover the costs if you’re getting a collect call. Calls from prisoners can be costly, particularly if they are made from out of state or across vast distances. Make sure your prepaid account has a sufficient amount if you’re using one.
Have Your Information Ready: Make sure you have any personal or case-related information you’ll need before the conversation. It’s beneficial to have pertinent information on hand in case the detainee needs help with particular activities or if the talk turns to legal issues.
Expect Emotional and Mental Preparation: It’s crucial to psychologically prepare for the highly intense nature of conversations with prisoners. The tone or subject matter of their communications may be impacted by the stress, loneliness, or dissatisfaction that many prisoners suffer. Throughout the talk, provide patience and encouragement.
Use a Landline for Better Reception
For better coverage, try using a landline phone. When receiving calls from prisoners, cell phone signals may be spotty or poor, which might interfere with the connection.
- Managing the Call
When the call is initiated:
Stay Calm and Patient: It’s crucial to keep a composed attitude because many prisoners are in difficult situations, particularly if they are experiencing anxiety or frustration.
Respect the Time Limit: It’s critical to pay attention to the time restriction as the call draws to a close. When the allotted time has passed, be ready for the call to end. If necessary, you may always arrange for another call.
Engage in Meaningful Conversation: Since phone time is restricted, concentrate on having fruitful conversations with the detainee. These discussions might include the inmate’s needs or future ambitions, provide encouragement, or provide updates on family life.
Respect Facility Rules: Make sure you don’t ask the inmate to do anything that would violate the facility’s regulations during the conversation, such talking about unlawful conduct or sending coded signals.
- Follow-Up After the Call
Schedule the Next Call: If the chat went well and you want to keep in touch, schedule the next phone call or talk about alternative ways to stay in touch, such as video calls or letters.
Provide Emotional Support: Giving inmates emotional assistance is essential since they frequently feel alone. Make sure you follow up on any particular requirements or requests that were brought up during the conversation, whether it’s giving them money for their account or assisting them with legal difficulties.
- Conclusion
It may take some work to plan and be ready for a phone conversation with an inmate, but it’s an essential method of maintaining contact with a loved one. You can make sure that your calls are fruitful and satisfying for both you and the inmate by being familiar with the facility’s phone system, creating an account, verifying the call schedule, and planning both logistically and emotionally.
Be patient, always abide by the facility’s rules, and value the chance to stay in touch via this crucial channel of communication.
Official guidance
- Federal Bureau of Prisons: Communication with people in custody
- Federal Bureau of Prisons: Facility directory
- For state and local facilities, use the correctional agency’s official website and the facility’s current instructions.
This article is general information, not legal, medical, financial, or professional advice.