Understanding the System: How Do Prison Inmate Calls Work?

Incarceration is a tough experience, not only for the inmates but also for their families and loved ones outside. One of the few ways that inmates can stay in touch with the outside world is through phone calls. These calls give them a chance to talk to family, friends, and legal representatives, keeping them connected during a difficult time. However, the process of making prison calls is not as simple as picking up the phone. There are rules, regulations, and costs involved that many people outside of prison don’t understand. In this article, we’ll break down how inmate calls work, how prison telephone systems operate, and how families can save money while staying connected with their loved ones behind bars.

Prison inmate calls are a lot more complicated than just dialling a number and talking. The phone calls that inmates make are managed by special phone systems and third-party companies that work with the correctional facilities. These companies set up the phone lines, monitor the calls for security, and even control the cost of the calls. Inmates often face high costs for staying connected, and many families struggle to afford these expensive calls. In this article, we’ll explain the details of how jail telephone systems work, how much these calls cost, and some of the alternatives that might make staying in touch a bit cheaper.

How Do Jail Telephones and Prison Phone Calls Work?

The process of making a phone call from prison is not like making a regular call from home. Inmates don’t have regular access to phones. Instead, they use special jail telephones that are controlled by third-party companies. When an inmate wants to make a call, they usually need to follow a set procedure. They may need to set up an account or use a prepaid system, sometimes with “Engin Numbers” or other methods of payment.

Most calls from jail are collect calls, meaning the person on the receiving end of the call is responsible for paying the cost. This system ensures that inmates can’t make calls without permission from the person receiving the call. However, some prisons also allow inmates to use prepaid accounts where family or friends can load money onto the account in advance. The inmate can then make calls without the recipient paying the charges. While this can seem like a better option, it still comes with its own costs, and the rates are often much higher than regular phone services.

On top of the costs, all prison phone calls are usually monitored and recorded for security reasons. This is to make sure that illegal activities, like gang communications or criminal planning, aren’t happening over the phone. Inmates are usually told that their calls could be listened to, so they’re advised to be careful about what they discuss. While this monitoring can seem invasive, it’s done to protect everyone inside and outside of the prison system.

How Much Are Phone Calls in Prison?

One of the biggest challenges for families of incarcerated individuals is the high cost of prison phone calls. Rates can vary widely and are often significantly higher than standard phone bills. These costs are determined by companies that provide phone services to correctional facilities, typically under exclusive contracts. As a result, families have limited options for finding more affordable alternatives.

The cost of prison phone calls can depend on several factors. Calls made from more remote facilities or federal prisons are often more expensive than those made from county jails or state prisons. Long-distance calls can also be significantly more expensive. For families who live far away from the prison or those who need to make international calls, the costs can become even more overwhelming. Despite some states introducing laws to regulate these rates, the cost of staying connected is still a major financial burden for many.

To help ease this burden, some families choose to use prepaid calling accounts, where they can load money into an account to pay for calls in advance. While this can be a bit more affordable than collect calls, it still doesn’t eliminate the high fees completely. There’s often a setup fee or other charges, and even prepaid accounts can end up costing a lot over time.

Prison Connect and Finding Cheaper Phone Call Options

As the cost of jail phone calls continues to climb, many families are looking for ways to make the process more affordable. One option that’s gaining popularity is Prison Connect. This is a service that helps inmates and their families connect at lower rates. By using technology like VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) and discounted calling plans, Prison Connect offers a cheaper alternative to traditional prison phone systems.

Prison Connect and similar services cut out the middleman—the expensive prison phone companies—and provide a more affordable way for families to stay in touch. These services work by offering prepaid plans or allowing inmates to make calls directly to their families at a lower cost. By bypassing the traditional prison phone system, these services make it easier for inmates to talk to their loved ones without racking up huge bills.

Another option that some inmates use to reduce call costs is “Engin Numbers.” These are virtual phone numbers that can be used by inmates to place calls. The person receiving the call does not have to pay the usual high fees because the inmate calls a local number, and the system takes care of the connection. These options can help make calls cheaper, but not all prisons allow them. The availability of these services depends on the facility, and not all inmates will have access to them.

Challenges of Inmate Communications and Looking Ahead

Even with services like Prison Connect, there are still several challenges when it comes to staying in touch with inmates. For one, not every prison allows third-party services to operate within their system. Many facilities have strict rules about phone access, limiting how often and for how long inmates can use the phones. Some jails only allow a set number of calls per week, or they may restrict the length of each call. These limitations can make it harder for inmates to stay connected with their families, especially if they live far away.

Another issue is that not all families can take advantage of cheaper alternatives. For example, some families may not have internet access or may not be able to afford prepaid phone services. Even if they want to use services like Prison Connect, they may not have the resources to make it happen. This digital divide means that even though cheaper options exist, they are not available to everyone.

Looking forward, there is potential for further reform in prison phone systems. Advocates are calling for better pricing regulations and greater competition between service providers to bring down the cost of calls. There may also be more focus on expanding technology to make communication easier and more affordable for inmates and their families. As the conversation about prison phone calls continues, more solutions will likely emerge to help make staying connected less of a financial burden.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding how prison inmate calls work is important for families who are trying to stay in touch with incarcerated loved ones. The current system of jail telephones and prison phone calls is complex, and the costs can be overwhelming. Services like Prison Connect and tools such as Engin Numbers provide more affordable ways to stay connected, but there are still many challenges to overcome. The high cost of phone calls remains a significant problem, and while alternative services are helping to make communication cheaper, reform is still needed to make the system fairer for everyone. For families looking to explore affordable options for connecting with their loved ones in prison, Prison Engine offers helpful resources and solutions to navigate the world of jail phone calls.