How Inmate Phone Calls Work at Alleghany Regional Jail (And Why They Cost What They Do)

Inmates have access to phones daily at Alleghany Regional Jail. The phones are turned on each morning after the housing areas are cleaned, and they’re turned off at 11:00 PM each night. If you’re trying to catch a call, that window matters - late-night calls won’t go through once the system is off, and mornings may start a little later depending on when cleaning wraps up.

At Alleghany Regional Jail, calls placed by an inmate are charged to the person they’re calling. In plain terms: if you accept the call, you’re the one paying for it. That’s a big reason phone calls can feel expensive - costs land on families and friends on the outside, not the person inside making the call.

There’s also a hard time cap: the phone system provider enforces a 10-minute limit on all calls. Expect calls to cut off when the time is up, even if you’re in the middle of a conversation. Planning for short check-ins - then picking up on the next call - usually makes this a lot less frustrating.

The jail does not accept incoming calls for inmates. Messages also aren’t passed along under normal circumstances. The exception is an emergency - staff may deliver a message in situations like a death in the family.

Assume jail phone calls aren’t private. Phone calls placed from most jails are recorded and can be monitored at any time, so it’s smart to keep conversations focused on family updates and practical needs - not anything you wouldn’t want replayed later.

It also helps to understand why the phone company takes billing so seriously. The facility’s Pay-Tel information states that theft of telecommunications services is a crime, and Pay-Tel reserves the right to block calls to people who don’t pay for services. They also reserve the right to prosecute individuals who attempt to steal services. If you’re having trouble with charges, it’s better to address it directly than to try to work around the system.

Practical Tips

• ✓ Treat each call like a 10-minute check-in: share the most important updates first, then fill in details if you have time.
• ✓ If something is complicated (appointments, bills, kids’ schedules), write down a quick list before you answer so you don’t waste the limited minutes.
• ✓ Budget with the billing rule in mind: because the called party is charged, the cost hits your phone/account - not the inmate’s.

1. Call Pay-Tel’s automated system - Use 1-800-PAY-TELL (1-800-729-8355) to open an account or add funds.
2. Use it whenever you need to - The automated phone system is available 24 hours a day, which helps if you’re handling this after work or on weekends.