Why You Can't Call Into MCF Shakopee (and what to do instead)
Trying to call MCF Shakopee to reach your loved one? The phone system isn't broken—it's designed this way. Calls only go one direction: out from the facility.
You can't call into MCF Shakopee and get transferred to an incarcerated person. Period. Calls have to be initiated from inside the facility, and only during designated times. Even if you know exactly where your loved one is housed and you're calling with the best intentions, staff won't patch you through.
Here's some good news: when your loved one calls you, the call is free. You won't get hit with expensive phone bills just to stay connected.
Don't try to work around the one-way calling rule by looping in other people. Three-way calls and call forwarding are both prohibited. That means no merging another person into an active call, and no routing calls through another number or service. If someone else needs to talk to your loved one, they'll need to receive a separate call directly.
There's also a 15-minute wait required between phone calls. The Minnesota DOC put this in place for safety and fairness - specifically to prevent security threat groups (STG) from monopolizing or controlling phone access through intimidation. The gap gives everyone a more realistic chance to make their calls.
Quick takeaway: The 15-minute wait exists so no one person or group can control the phones through threats or pressure.
Go into every phone or video call knowing it's not private. Staff monitor and record these conversations. Your loved one gets written notice of this, and signs are posted near every phone. If you're sharing something personal, keep in mind that someone else may be listening.
Privacy reminder: Phone and video calls are monitored and recorded. Don't share anything you wouldn't want facility staff to hear.
Alternatives
- ✓ Create a TextBehind account
- ✓ Use TextBehind to electronically send letters to your loved one
- ✓ Send photos through TextBehind
- ✓ Send greeting cards through TextBehind
- Go to the JPay home page - start from the main navigation.
- Click “Video Visitation” - this takes you to the video visit area.
- Click “Schedule New Visit” - follow the prompts to set up the visit.
Want to send a message without waiting for a call? TextBehind lets you send letters, photos, and greeting cards electronically. Need face-to-face time? Schedule a video visit through JPay. A lot of families use both - messages for everyday check-ins, video visits when you want a longer conversation.
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