Phone Call Costs at Northampton County Jail: What You're Actually Paying

Northampton County Jail uses Global Tel Link (GTL) for inmate phone service. A 2025 audit reported that inmates are charged $0.16 (16¢) per minute for telephone calls through GTL, and that this rate was compliant with FCC guidelines in effect in 2025.

Families often wonder whether the county profits from these calls. According to a county audit report, Northampton County used to receive a commission on inmate phone usage - but that ended with a 2016 contract amendment following changes in the law.

Cost is only part of the picture. Northampton County Department of Corrections states that phone calls may be intercepted, recorded, monitored, or divulged. The one exception: properly placed calls to an inmate's Attorney of Record, which get confidentiality protections.

At 16¢ per minute, small timing choices add up. A 15-minute call runs about $2.40. A 30-minute call hits $4.80. If you're making multiple calls a week, doing that quick math ahead of time helps you set limits you can actually stick to.

• ✓ Estimate your expected cost as minutes × $0.16
• ✓ Set a per-call minute limit before you answer
• ✓ Use shorter check-ins more often if longer calls strain your budget
• ✓ Track total minutes per week so you can spot spending creep early

1. Confirm the current rate with the provider/facility - budgeting works best when you’re using the rate actually being charged; the reported rate is $0.16 per minute through GTL.
2. Calculate your “typical call” cost - pick a realistic length (like 10, 15, or 30 minutes) and multiply by $0.16 so you know what each call is costing.
3. Decide your call plan (frequency + duration) - choose how often you can afford calls and how long they should run.
4. Keep an eye on spending over time - the county’s commission change affects county revenue, but it doesn’t automatically tell you what you’ll pay per minute, so track your own minutes and costs.