Why Phone Calls from MCF Faribault Are Free — and What the 15‑Minute Wait Between Calls Means
Phone rules at MCF Faribault can feel confusing — you're not alone. Here's the plain-English breakdown of what
Yes - phone calls made by incarcerated people at MCF Faribault are provided at no charge. That means you don’t have to set up payments or add money just to receive a call. If your main worry has been “Can we afford to stay in touch?” this policy is meant to remove that barrier so contact doesn’t depend on your budget.
You can’t call your loved one directly at the facility. At MCF Faribault, only incarcerated people can place outgoing calls, and they can only do it during certain times. Practically, that means your best plan is to stay ready for incoming calls and coordinate expectations ahead of time - because if you call the facility, you won’t be transferred to them.
The 15‑minute gap between calls is a Minnesota DOC policy designed to make phone access safer and more fair inside the facility. The DOC’s stated reason is that the wait period helps incarcerated people meaningfully access the phones without being exploited or threatened by members of certain security threat groups (STG). It also gives staff a more manageable, predictable flow in phone areas, which supports safer supervision and reduces the chance that a few people can dominate access while others get pushed out.
Tip: If a call drops or goes to voicemail, your loved one may not be able to call right back immediately. Build in that 15‑minute buffer when you’re planning your day, and don’t assume the silence means they stopped trying.
Phone and video conversations are monitored or recorded by staff for security at MCF Faribault. Your loved one is informed of this in writing, and there are posted notices by the telephones. The simplest way to think about it: treat every call like it could be reviewed later, and keep the conversation focused on support, day-to-day updates, and plans that don’t put either of you in a tough spot.
Warning: Don’t discuss sensitive details you wouldn’t want repeated - especially anything legal or private - on phone or video calls that are monitored or recorded.
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