How to send messages, photos, and packages
Non-legal phone calls at Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility may be monitored and recorded. Attorney calls are handled differently—they're placed collect. To update attorney contact info, PIOCs use form DOC-1631. A Public Defender "red phone" is available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., connecting directly to the Milwaukee Public Defender's Office. General population PIOCs can make unlimited daily calls unless on restriction. Phones shut off during counts and every night at 9:00 p.m. Back-to-back calling isn't allowed: if a call doesn't connect within three minutes, you must leave the phone area and wait at least 15 minutes before trying again. Using another PIOC's PIN, three-way calls, and calling forwarded numbers are all prohibited and can result in discipline. For messaging and photos via ICS tablet, family and friends need a GTL GettingOut account.
Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.
Mail at MSDF works on two separate tracks. Regular personal mail goes through TextBehind, while privileged items—legal, medical, and absentee ballot mail—should be sent directly to the institution. Use the right address and label everything correctly, or your mail will come back.
Yes. All calls, except properly placed attorney calls, may be monitored and recorded.
Attorney calls are placed collect, and PIOCs must use form DOC‑1631 to update an attorney’s contact information. MSDF also offers a Public Defender “red phone” Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., to reach the Milwaukee Public Defender’s Office directly.
No—consecutive calls aren’t permitted. If a call doesn’t connect within three minutes, the PIOC must leave the phone area and wait at least 15 minutes before trying again, and phones are shut off during counts and every night at 9:00 p.m.
Send non-privileged personal mail to TextBehind at P.O. Box 189, Phoenix, MD 21131. Include your full return name and address, plus the resident’s full name and DOC number.
No. TextBehind will not open or process identifiable medical or legal mail. Legal mail is forwarded to the facility intact so it can be handled under the institution’s legal-mail procedures.
Some are restricted. Musical, pop-up, glitter, multi-thickness, or glued-item cards are prohibited and won’t be copied for delivery by TextBehind. Stick to simple, standard cards to avoid problems.
Phone rules can feel strict when you're just trying to stay connected. Here's how calling works at Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility (MSDF)—when phones are available, what gets monitored, and what can cost someone their privileges.
Scheduling a video visit at MSDF comes down to using the right system and booking within the allowed window. Once you have the Party ID and your information matches the approved visitor application, you can schedule directly through the vendor.
Budgeting for video visits gets easier once you know what's free, what costs money, and how that
