Inmate Phone Calls

Inmate phone calls work differently from regular phone calls. The incarcerated person places the call from a facility phone or tablet, and you receive it on your phone. You cannot call into a prison or jail directly to reach an inmate. Before an inmate can call you, you typically need to set up a prepaid account with the facility's contracted phone provider so that call charges have a place to be applied.

The most common phone providers in correctional facilities are ConnectNetwork, operated by GTL, and GettingOut, operated by Telmate. To receive calls, you create an account on the provider's platform, add your phone number, and fund the account with a balance. Some providers also offer a collect call option where you pay the charges when you accept the call. Prepaid accounts are generally less expensive and give you more control over spending.

Phone call costs in correctional settings have historically been high. The Federal Communications Commission now regulates interstate call rates to limit per-minute charges for calls crossing state lines. In-state call rates may still vary significantly by contract. Setting up a prepaid account in advance prevents missed calls, since inmates typically only have a limited window of time to use the phone each day. All inmate phone calls are recorded and monitored.