Understanding Phone Calls from FMC Devens: Who Pays, Monitoring, and Attorney Calls

Phone calls at FMC Devens are a privilege, not a right. The Bureau of Prisons offers this privilege to help people maintain ties with family and community - something that matters a lot when you're trying to stay connected from the inside.

Usually, the incarcerated person pays for the call. Sometimes the person receiving the call pays instead. If you're budgeting for phone costs, that's the basic split to keep in mind.

Calls are monitored. A notice posted next to each telephone at FMC Devens makes this clear - there's no ambiguity about the default rule.

1. Confirm the person has phone privileges - Telephone access is a privilege meant to help maintain family and community ties, and it can come with limits or conditions.
2. Clarify how the call will be paid - Ordinarily the inmate pays, but in some cases the receiving party pays.

1. Coordinate with the unit team - If there are restrictions or conditions on telephone privileges, the unit team is the place to start for what’s allowed and what needs to be set up.

• ✓ Call the prison ahead of time to confirm what’s permitted and what steps are required on your end.

1. Check whether phone privileges are active - Calls are a privilege, and limitations or conditions can be imposed.
2. Reconfirm the payment setup - Ordinarily the inmate pays, but in some cases the receiving party pays, and that can affect whether a call goes through.

If calls aren't coming through, start with the basics. Check whether the call is set up as inmate-paid or receiver-paid. A mismatch on the receiving end can make it look like the call is blocked, even when the person inside is dialing correctly.