Understanding Phone Calls from FPC Bryan: Who Pays, Monitoring, and Recordings

Phone calls from FPC Bryan are typically paid for by the inmate. In some cases, though, the receiving party covers the cost. If you're seeing charges or payment prompts on your end, that's how the system is set up for that particular call.

Third-party billing and other alternative call arrangements aren't allowed at FPC Bryan. The Bureau of Prisons prohibits these setups as a security measure to reduce opportunities for misuse of phone access.

• ✓ Do not plan on using third-party billing or any workaround arrangement.
• ✓ Set up whatever account or payment method is accepted for inmate calls, so you are ready when calls start.
• ✓ Confirm your payment method is in place ahead of time, so calls are not blocked or cut off unexpectedly.

Assume most calls are monitored. The facility posts a notice next to each telephone letting inmates know that calls may be listened to.

Attorney calls work differently. Unmonitored calls to attorneys are permitted in certain circumstances, which matters if your loved one needs to discuss a legal matter with counsel.

TRUFONE call recordings are kept for 180 days, then deleted. The exception: recordings needed for legal or administrative purposes can be retained longer.

Practical Advice

• ✓ Plan for the inmate to pay for most calls, even though some calls may be billed to the receiving party.
• ✓ Do not rely on third-party billing or any alternative call arrangement.
• ✓ Assume calls are monitored, since the monitoring notice is posted next to each telephone.

1. Ask how calls will be paid for: The inmate ordinarily pays, but your number could still be billed in some cases.
2. Set expectations about billing workarounds: Third-party or other alternative call arrangements are not permitted, so plan within the approved options.