How Inmates Add and Manage Numbers (Dialing *44) at Cold Springs Corrections Unit
Your loved one at Cold Springs Corrections Unit says they "added your number," but calls still aren't coming through. The missing piece is usually automated consent. Here's how the *44 system works, what happens on their end, and what you need to do to get activated faster.
At Cold Springs Corrections Unit, adding a phone number isn't as simple as typing it into a list. The system requires automated consent - meaning the phone number won't activate until the subscriber (the person who controls that phone line) agrees to receive inmate calls through an automated process. Your loved one can enter your number correctly on *44, but you still won't get calls until you complete the consent prompts on your end.
There's a hard cap: inmates can only keep 15 approved numbers at a time. That includes everyday contacts, attorney numbers, and investigator hotlines - all counted together. If your loved one is close to the limit, they may need to remove an old number before adding yours.
The process is straightforward. Your loved one dials *44, follows the prompts to manage their call list, and enters the phone number they want to add or remove. When they add a new number, the system sends automated consent prompts to that line's subscriber. Your response on the outside is what actually turns the number "on."
- Dial *44 - This opens the auto-enrollment call-list menu on the inmate phone system.
- Choose the option to manage the call list - They’ll follow the prompts to add a number or remove a number.
- Enter the phone number carefully - The number they enter is the number that will need subscriber consent.
- Confirm the entry - Once confirmed, the number can show up as pending until the subscriber completes automated consent.
- Stay under the 15-number cap - If adding the new number would push the list over 15, they’ll need to remove a number first. Remember: attorney and investigator hotline numbers count toward the same 15.
Note: Numbers won't work until the subscriber completes automated consent. Attorney and investigator hotline numbers count toward the 15-number limit too, so your loved one may need to make room first.
If your number isn't active right away, that doesn't mean it was entered wrong. A number won't go live on an inmate's call list until the subscriber grants consent through the automated process. The system needs a "yes" from the person responsible for that phone line before calls can come through.
That consent step takes time. Even after your loved one adds your number, there's often a delay while the automated prompts reach you and you respond. Until you complete that action, the number stays inactive. Re-adding it over and over won't help - the hold-up is on the consent side.
Practical Tips
- ✓ Watch for an automated consent contact tied to inmate calling (call or prompt) and respond as soon as you can.
- ✓ Don’t block unknown callers while you’re waiting for consent to come through.
- ✓ Make sure your voicemail can accept calls, in case the automated consent process leaves a prompt you need to follow.
- ✓ If you get automated questions asking you to agree to receive inmate calls, complete them - your number won’t activate until you do.
While waiting on activation, get the payment side ready. You can set up a prepaid (AdvancePay) account to receive inmate calls. For setup or questions, contact ConnectNetwork (operated by Global Tel*Link) at 1 (800) 483-8314.
Tip: Not receiving consent prompts? Activation seems stuck? Contact the phone vendor first - ConnectNetwork (Global Tel*Link) at 1 (800) 483-8314. They handle consent and prepaid setup.
If you've completed consent and days pass with no change, start troubleshooting. First, confirm the consent step was actually finished for the exact number your loved one entered. If problems persist - repeated delays or suspected technical issues - your loved one can ask for guidance through the facility's normal channels while you work with the vendor on the consent side.
For prepaid account questions or help with receiving calls, contact ConnectNetwork (Global Tel*Link) at 1 (800) 483-8314.
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