Understanding the 15-number call list for inmates at Bland Correctional Center
Want to stay in touch with someone at Bland Correctional Center? The 15-number call list is the first thing you need to understand. Once you know what counts toward the limit and how numbers get approved, you can avoid delays and missed calls.
Inmates at Bland Correctional Center can only call numbers on their approved call list - and that list maxes out at 15 phone numbers. This cap covers everyone: family, friends, and attorneys. Even legal hotlines count toward the same limit. Think of it as a short list of must-have contacts rather than everyone they'd like to reach.
Note: Attorney phone numbers still count toward the 15-number limit, even though properly handled attorney calls may have different monitoring protections.
Cell phones and landlines are treated the same for call-list purposes. An inmate can add cellular or other wireless numbers to the approved call list, and those numbers are managed the same way as landline numbers.
Adding a number isn't instant. Before a phone number goes active on the call list, the subscriber has to give consent through an automated process. This approval step can take several days, so don't be surprised if a newly added number sits in limbo while the system waits for confirmation.
Tip: Need to be reachable soon - say, around court dates or a family emergency? Plan ahead. New numbers can take several days to activate after the consent step.
Most calls through the inmate phone system are recorded and monitored. That's the default - it's why you hear those warnings at the start of a call. The main exception? Properly verified attorney calls.
If a number belongs to an attorney or their law firm, the inmate can request that calls to that number be blocked from monitoring and recording. When set up and verified correctly, attorney calls get extra privacy protections.
Reminder: Even when an attorney call is blocked from monitoring/recording, that attorney number still uses one of the 15 slots on the approved call list.
Pitfalls Revoked
- ✓ Placing incoming calls to an inmate
- ✓ Calling international numbers
- ✓ Making 700, 800, 888, 900, and similar toll-free calls
Phone access can be revoked if the system is abused - and that affects both the inmate's ability to call and your ability to receive calls. Keep things straightforward: accept calls the normal way, skip international dialing, and don't try routing calls through toll-free numbers. If you're unsure whether a number type could cause problems, stick with a standard, direct phone number.
Tips Who to Add
- ✓ Put the “must reach” people first (primary caregiver, spouse/partner, parent/guardian)
- ✓ Reserve space for legal contacts early so you don’t have to scramble later
- ✓ Choose stable numbers you expect to keep (less churn means fewer disruptions)
- ✓ Coordinate with your loved one so you’re not duplicating numbers or wasting slots
- ✓ If the list fills up, prioritize essentials and rotate less-urgent contacts as needed
Two limits shape your planning: the call list caps at 15 approved numbers, and each call maxes out at 20 minutes. With a smaller list, your loved one can use their time well - calling people who actually pick up, pass along messages, and help with real-life needs. Fewer reliable contacts often beats a long wish list that's constantly changing.
Note: The Virginia DOC phone system runs through ConnectNetwork by Global Tel*Link.
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