How Phone Calls Work at Dawson County Detention Center (Prepaid Collect vs. PIN Debit)

Dawson County Detention Center uses Smart Communications for inmate phone services. Whether you're setting up calling, adding money, or troubleshooting an issue, Smart Communications is the system you'll be working through.

Smart Communications offers two ways to pay for calls: Prepaid Collect (PPC) and PIN Debit. With PPC, family or friends pay ahead of time to receive collect calls from an inmate. PIN Debit works the other way - funds go into an account the inmate uses to place calls.

Prepaid Collect puts you - the person receiving calls - in control. You pay in advance for collect calls from your loved one, choose which phone numbers can receive them, and set how much you're willing to spend. This helps keep costs predictable and limits calls to specific family members' phones if you prefer.

• ✓ Set up and fund your Prepaid Collect (PPC) account through Smart Communications before you expect calls
• ✓ Double-check which phone number(s) are allowed on the PPC account so calls don’t get blocked
• ✓ Set a spending limit you’re comfortable with, then monitor your balance so calls don’t cut off unexpectedly
• ✓ Save your payment confirmations/receipts for every deposit in case you need support later

PIN Debit flips the arrangement. Instead of paying for collect calls you receive, you deposit money into an account the inmate controls. They use those funds to call any facility-approved phone number. Family and friends can add money directly to PIN Debit accounts.

1. Deposit funds into PIN Debit - Add money through Smart Communications so your loved one has calling funds available.
2. Confirm the number is facility-approved - PIN Debit funds can only be used to call numbers the facility allows.
3. Have your loved one place the call using their funds - Calls draw down from the inmate-owned PIN Debit balance as they talk.

Rates and fees change, so check Smart Communications for current pricing before deciding between PPC and PIN Debit. Whichever you choose, save your deposit receipts and confirmation details. They're the fastest way to resolve missing funds, wrong-number blocks, or other account issues.

1. Gather your details first - Write down the phone number involved, the date/time of the issue, and any payment confirmation info you have.
2. Contact Smart Communications - Start with the phone provider for balance questions, payment posting issues, or call connection problems.
3. Escalate to detention staff if needed - If the problem appears to be facility-side (for example, approval issues that the vendor can’t fix), use the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office detention contacts such as Chief Jailer Captain Anthony Davis, Operational Support Lieutenant Theresa Kirby, Warrant & Transport Unit Sergeant Zach Smith, or Inmate Services Coordinator Jane Czajkoski.

• ✓ Save every deposit receipt or confirmation message
• ✓ Note the date/time of failed calls or unexpected disconnects
• ✓ Keep any transaction or confirmation numbers tied to your payment
• ✓ Write down exactly which phone number was supposed to receive calls and whether you’re using PPC or PIN Debit