Phone Rules at MCF Lino Lakes: Why You Can’t Call In, How Emergencies Are Handled, and What Gets Recorded
Phone rules in prison can feel backwards at first. You cannot call your loved one directly, and most calls come with restrictions and monitoring. Here's how phone communication works at MCF Lino Lakes, what to do during a real emergency, and what to expect when you pick up.
At MCF Lino Lakes, outside callers cannot call the facility and get connected to an incarcerated person. Calls work the other way around: only incarcerated people can place outgoing calls, and they can only do that during certain times.
Quick takeaway: If you call the facility, staff will not transfer you to your loved one. Your loved one has to call you.
For true emergencies (a death, serious illness, or injury), the process is different. Call the facility information number and leave a message explaining what happened. Staff will verify the information and pass the message to your loved one.
- Call the facility information number - use the official facility information line listed by the Minnesota DOC.
- Leave a clear message - briefly explain the emergency and include how staff can reach you.
- Wait for verification - staff will verify the message before it is shared.
- Staff relays the message - once verified, staff will give the message to your loved one.
Tip: In your message, include your name, your relationship to the incarcerated person, the nature of the emergency (death, serious illness, or injury), and your best callback number so staff can verify quickly.
When your loved one calls from MCF Lino Lakes, you won't be charged for receiving the call. That said, the system has firm restrictions. Three-way calls and call forwarding are not allowed. Avoid using features that add someone to the line or route the call through another number.
- ✓ Expect calls from your loved one to be free to receive
- ✓ Do not try to set up three-way calling
- ✓ Do not use call forwarding (including carrier features that automatically forward calls)
Minnesota DOC enforces a 15-minute interval between phone calls. This helps more people access the phones, reduces the risk of exploitation or threats from certain security threat groups, and lets staff manage phone areas more safely.
Planning note: If a call drops or ends, your loved one may not be able to call right back for 15 minutes. If you miss a call, it can take time before another one can come through.
Phone and video conversations at MCF Lino Lakes are monitored or recorded by staff for security purposes. Your loved one is informed of this in writing, and a notice is posted by each telephone.
Privacy reality check: Assume your calls and video conversations are monitored or recorded. Keep sensitive information off the phone, especially anything that could create problems for you or your loved one later.
If you're dealing with an emergency and can't get through, double-check that you're using the current facility information number listed by the Minnesota DOC. For broader questions or escalation, Minnesota DOC Central Office publishes public contact information (including a phone number and mailing address) that you can use when the facility is not responsive.
Before you escalate: Confirm you are using the most up-to-date Central Office contact details published by Minnesota DOC.
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