Phone Calls From MCF Rush City: Why Recipients Aren't Charged and What the 15‑Minute Wait Means
Getting calls from someone at MCF Rush City? Two things often trip people up: why you're not billed for the call, and why there's sometimes a 15-minute wait before they can call again. Here's what's actually going on.
No. Calls from someone incarcerated at MCF Rush City don't charge the recipient. You shouldn't see per-minute fees on your phone bill just for answering. If you ever get a prompt that sounds like you need to pay to accept a call, stop and double-check what you're agreeing to before moving forward.
Minnesota DOC requires a 15-minute wait between phone calls at facilities like MCF Rush City. This can feel like a forced cooldown, especially when you missed a call or the connection dropped unexpectedly.
DOC says the rule is about safety and fair access. The 15-minute interval is designed to help incarcerated people use the phones without being pressured or threatened by members of certain security threat groups (STG). The policy also helps staff manage phone areas more safely. For families, the main thing to know is that the wait isn't personal. It's a facility-wide rule controlling how phone access works inside.
What DOC says people reported: DOC reports that many incarcerated people said the 15-minute interval helped them access the phones for the first time without fear of interference.
Phone and video conversations at MCF Rush City are monitored or recorded by DOC staff. Your loved one receives written notification about this, and notices are posted near the telephones. Keep that in mind when you talk. Stick to family updates and practical support. Don't share anything you truly need to keep private.
Practical Tips
- ✓ Put the most important information first, in case the call is short or gets interrupted
- ✓ Coordinate general call times ahead of time so you’re less likely to miss each other
- ✓ If a call drops or you miss it, expect a wait before another call attempt can happen
- ✓ Keep highly sensitive details off the phone since calls can be monitored or recorded
- ✓ Have a simple backup plan for longer topics (split it across multiple calls, write down questions, take notes)
- Agree on priorities before the phone rings - Decide what must get covered first so you can use the time well.
- Plan around the 15-minute interval - If you miss a call, assume there may be a built-in delay before another call can come through.
- Treat calls as monitored or recorded - Save privileged or extremely sensitive matters for an appropriate channel rather than discussing them on the phone or video.
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