The 15-Number Limit: What Indiana Creek Families Need to Know About Inmate Call Lists

Phone calls at Indiana Creek work through an approved call list capped at 15 numbers. Your loved one can add family, friends, and legal contacts - landlines and cell phones both work. Here's what catches many families off guard: the inmate manages the list, not you. If your number changes or calls stop coming through, they'll need to update their entry. And if the list is already full, they may have to remove someone to add a new number.

Want more control over whether calls go through? You can fund them in advance. VADOC uses ConnectNetwork (run by Global Tel*Link) for phone funding, including prepaid accounts for family and friends. The most common option is a prepaid phone account - often called AdvancePay - where you load money so collect calls go through without your phone line needing to accept collect billing. ConnectNetwork also offers PIN Debit as an alternative. Not sure which fits your situation? Either way, both are handled through ConnectNetwork.

• ✓ Set up an AdvancePay (prepaid) account through ConnectNetwork (Global Tel*Link)
• ✓ Set up a PIN Debit account through ConnectNetwork if that’s the option you’re using
• ✓ Call ConnectNetwork toll-free at 1 (800) 483-8314 for setup help or account questions

Don't try to call in. Placing incoming calls to an inmate is prohibited and can get their phone privileges revoked. If you need to communicate, wait for them to call you - and make sure your number is active and ready to receive.

International calling is off the table. Calls to international numbers from an inmate account are prohibited and can trigger loss of phone privileges. If family members are overseas, you'll need to explore other approved ways to stay connected.

Watch out for services that route calls through another number. Call forwarding, forwarding services, and answering machine services are all prohibited - using them can cost your loved one their phone access. If you use any service that screens, routes, or connects calls through a different line, turn it off before accepting calls.

Certain destinations and billing methods will also get phone use shut down. Calls to pay phones and pager numbers are prohibited. So is charging calls to credit cards, third parties, or any billing method besides collect or prepaid to the called party. Keep it simple: use a standard landline or cell number and stick to approved billing.

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• ✓ Make sure your loved one has your correct number saved on their approved list (they maintain the list, and it maxes out at 15 numbers)
• ✓ Don’t use call forwarding, call forwarding services, or answering machine services on the line you want them to call
• ✓ If you’re using prepaid calling, keep your AdvancePay/phone funding topped up through ConnectNetwork
• ✓ Decide ahead of time whether you’ll accept collect/debit calls or prefer to prepay so calls are less likely to be declined