Inmate Phone Calls
Phone calls remain one of the most important ways families stay in touch with incarcerated loved ones. Find the right provider for your facility, understand how rates work, and set up your account before the first call.
7+
Calling providers
7,000+
Facilities covered
50
States covered
How Inmate Phone Calls Work
Four steps to set up your account and start receiving calls.
Find the right phone provider
Each facility contracts with one phone provider. Confirm which company handles calls at your loved one's institution before creating an account. Using the wrong provider means you will not receive calls.
Create a prepaid account
Register with the provider and fund a prepaid account linked to your phone number. Inmates initiate all calls from facility phones. You cannot call the facility to reach an inmate directly.
Get on the approved contact list
The facility must approve your phone number before it can receive inmate calls. Submit your information through the provider's platform. The approval process can take several days at some institutions.
Wait for the call
Inmates call during approved calling hours. Your prepaid account balance is charged per minute when a call connects. Monitor your balance and top up before it runs out to avoid missed calls.
Phone Call Providers
These companies manage inmate calling services at correctional facilities across the United States.
Phone and video for county jails and state prisons
45 states, 1,200+ facilities
View guideState prison phone calls across 30+ states
30 states, 800+ facilities
View guidePhone and video at federal and county facilities
All 50 states, 1,800+ facilities
View guidePhone services at select state prison facilities
35 states, 1,000+ facilities
View guidePhone calls for county jails and detention centers
15 states, 300+ facilities
View guideLow-cost calling plans for families nationwide
All 50 states, 3,000+ facilities
View guideInmate phone services for county facilities
12 states, 180+ facilities
View guideFacilities With Phone Services
A selection of facilities where inmate phone calling is available through approved providers.
San Quentin State Prison
State Prison · CA
Attica Correctional Facility
State Prison · NY
Rikers Island
County Jail · NY
Cook County Jail
County Jail · IL
Federal Correctional Complex Coleman
Federal Prison · FL
Harris County Jail
County Jail · TX
Miami-Dade Corrections Facility
County Jail · FL
Arizona State Prison Complex Florence
State Prison · AZ
Pelican Bay State Prison
State Prison · CA
Sing Sing Correctional Facility
State Prison · NY
Important Facts About Inmate Phone Calls
Inmates call you, not the other way around
You cannot call a prison or jail and speak to an inmate directly. All calls are initiated by the inmate from a facility phone. Your job is to have a funded account ready.
Each facility uses one phone provider
Facilities sign exclusive phone contracts. Using the wrong provider's account will not work. Confirm the facility's contracted provider before creating an account.
Interstate rates are FCC-regulated
The FCC caps interstate prison calling rates. As of 2023, the cap is $0.14 per minute for prisons and $0.21 per minute for jails. In-state rates may be higher.
State prison phone is often separate from messaging
At many state facilities, phone calls are managed by GTL while messaging is managed by JPay. You may need accounts with both providers for full communication access.
Approval takes time
Getting your number approved as a contact can take several days. Set up your account early so there is no delay when your loved one tries to call.
All calls are monitored and recorded
Every inmate phone call is recorded. This is standard policy at every type of correctional facility. Do not discuss sensitive matters during phone calls.
Common Questions About Inmate Phone Calls
How do inmate phone calls work?
Inmates use facility phones to call approved numbers on a prepaid calling account. You cannot initiate a call to an inmate. The facility contracts with a phone provider such as Securus, GTL, or ConnectNetwork. You create an account with that provider, fund it with your phone number, and wait for the inmate to call you. The per-minute cost is deducted from your balance when a call connects.
How do I know which phone provider my facility uses?
The fastest way is to ask the facility directly. You can also check the provider's website and search for the facility by name. Most major providers, including Securus and ConnectNetwork, have facility search tools on their websites. If you are unsure, contact the facility's front desk or inmate services department.
How do I set up a phone account?
Go to the website of the facility's contracted phone provider and create a free account. Set up a prepaid calling account linked to your phone number. Add funds using a debit card, credit card, or cash at a retail location. You will also need to be approved as a contact at the facility before receiving calls. This can take a few days.
Why are inmate phone rates so expensive?
Historically, correctional facilities charged very high per-minute rates on inmate calls, partly because facilities received a share of call revenue from providers. The FCC has worked to reduce interstate calling rates. As of 2023, the FCC capped interstate rates at $0.14 per minute for calls from prisons and $0.21 per minute from jails. In-state rates vary and can still be higher, as they are regulated separately by states.
Can I call a federal prison inmate directly?
No. You cannot call an inmate directly at any type of correctional facility. All calls are inmate-initiated. For federal Bureau of Prisons inmates, phone calls are managed through ConnectNetwork. The inmate calls you from a BOP facility phone during approved calling hours. You fund a prepaid ConnectNetwork account in advance so the call can connect.
What is an AdvancePay account?
An AdvancePay account is a prepaid calling account linked to your phone number. When an inmate calls your number, the per-minute cost is charged to your AdvancePay balance rather than to you in real time. This is the standard account type used by Securus, GTL, and ConnectNetwork. You fund the account in advance and monitor the balance to ensure it does not run out.