Everything You Need to Know About Phone Calls from Maricopa County Jail
Phone calls are often the fastest way to stay connected, but the setup can be confusing the first time. Here's how calls work at Maricopa County Jail, what to expect for timing and limits, and what to do when calls won't come through.
Maricopa County Jail's phone system is outgoing-only. Your loved one can call you, but you can't call in and ask to be connected - inmates don't receive incoming calls. Global Tel*Link (GTL) runs the system. They're your starting point for setting up service and troubleshooting any phone issues.
To receive calls, you'll need a GTL account. Maricopa County Jail offers Collect and Prepaid billing options for personal calls - both require you to set up an account on your end first.
Phone access typically runs from about 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., though some units allow 24-hour access. Timing can vary depending on where someone is housed. Security or disciplinary restrictions also affect access. If calls come at odd hours - or stop coming altogether - the housing unit's schedule or restrictions are usually the reason.
Each call maxes out at 20 minutes. The line will cut off right at the limit, so don't be surprised when it happens.
Assume everything you say can be heard later. All personal calls are recorded and monitored. Stick to family updates, logistics, and support - nothing you wouldn't want replayed.
Note: Three-way or conference calls aren’t allowed. If the system detects a three-way attempt, the call will be disconnected.
Stopped getting calls? Check if your carrier is blocking them. Calls from GTL sometimes show up as "Spam" or "Robo call." Maricopa County flags 480-448-2204 and 480-409-2926 as numbers that often get mislabeled. The fix is on your phone company's end. Contact your carrier and ask them to unblock those numbers, or adjust your spam settings so the calls come through.
Friends and family can choose between Collect and Prepaid billing - both require a GTL account. One thing that trips people up: calls can't go to cell phones without an AdvancePay account. If you only use a mobile, make sure AdvancePay is set up.
If collect calling isn't working, it might not be your fault. Some numbers are blocked from receiving collect calls - either by the owner or the phone provider. Here's something that can help first-timers: if an inmate calls a number that won't accept collect calls, you should hear a prompt offering a connection to GTL's account center, plus a one-time 60-second courtesy call.
Contacts Help
- ✓ Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Information/Assistance: 602-876-5412 (Mon–Fri, 7 a.m.–4:30 p.m. MST)
- ✓ GTL Customer Service: 1-877-650-4249 (Mon–Fri, 7 a.m.–11 p.m. CT; Sat–Sun, 8 a.m.–7 p.m. CT)
- ✓ For setup and most troubleshooting: start with GTL, since they manage the inmate telephone system and generally handle service initiation
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