Can Inmates at Nassau County Jail Receive Phone Calls? Common Questions & Why Calls Disconnect
Trying to stay in touch with someone at Nassau County Jail? Phone rules can feel strict—especially when a call drops without warning. Here's how calling works, what
At Nassau County Jail, inmate phone calls are outgoing and collect-call-only. That means your loved one can call you, but you’re the one who has to accept the charges when the call comes through. If your phone service doesn’t allow collect calls, the call may not connect at all until you set up a way to pay for it.
Exception: Calls to the public defender’s office are treated differently than regular collect calls.
Nassau County Jail does not treat “emergency” as “urgent news” or “please call me back.” Emergencies are defined as a death in the immediate family, a serious family or business crisis where the inmate has a real, vested interest, or another severe crisis that requires immediate personal attention.
Inmates aren’t permitted to receive incoming calls in general. If the jail receives an emergency call, staff will take the caller’s name and phone number and verify the situation. After it’s verified, the inmate may be allowed to return the call as soon as reasonably possible.
Phone privileges are generally available from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Calls can still be cut off during routine jail operations like feed up and count, and phone access can also be restricted if disciplinary action has been taken against all inmates in the cell.
One of the most common reasons an inmate call suddenly disconnects is the three-way calling rule. Nassau County Jail does not allow 3-way calls, and if you try to add another person to the line, the call will be terminated. The same thing happens if you answer and then place the inmate on hold - putting the call on hold triggers a termination.
Tip: If you use call waiting, call forwarding, or “merge calls,” turn those features off (or don’t use them) before you answer - holds and three-way attempts can end the call immediately.
Some phone carriers and phone plans can’t accept collect calls. If your loved one’s calls won’t go through for that reason, the jail’s phone provider (GTL) may be able to help you set up an account so you can receive calls. You can reach GTL at 1-877-650-4249, and GTL Customer Service at 1-800-483-8314.
- ✓ Call GTL at 1-877-650-4249 or GTL Customer Service at 1-800-483-8314
- ✓ Ask how to establish an account so you can receive inmate calls if your service won’t accept collect
- ✓ Double-check the phone number and billing details you provide so calls don’t fail due to a mismatch
Even if an inmate is under disciplinary phone restrictions, Nassau County Jail policy still protects their ability to call their attorney or bondsperson. The catch is that the number has to be verified by an officer before the call is placed, so it may take an extra step before the call can go through.
Note: Whether it’s an emergency situation or a protected attorney/bond call, verification is a big part of the process - be ready to provide clear, accurate call-back information.
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