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Phone & Messaging

Phone Calls from Virginia Prisons: 5 Things Families Ask Most

Phone calls are one of the fastest ways to stay connected with someone in a Virginia prison, but the rules can feel strict if you've never dealt with them. Here are the five questions families ask most, plus the phone actions that can get calls shut down.

• 2 min read Verified from official sources

In Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) facilities, inmates maintain an approved call list capped at 15 phone numbers. That limit adds up fast when you're trying to include a spouse, parents, a close friend who can relay updates, and legal support. Talk with your loved one about which numbers are essential before they fill the available slots.

Vendor note: The VADOC inmate phone system is operated through ConnectNetwork by Global Tel*Link.

Each call is limited to 20 minutes. The cap keeps phone access moving so more people get a turn. Plan to get to the point and save longer updates for a separate call.

All inmate phone calls in VADOC facilities are recorded and monitored. The only exception is properly verified attorney calls. If you're discussing anything sensitive, assume someone is listening and choose your words accordingly.

For a more reliable way to accept and pay for calls, you can set up a prepaid phone plan through ConnectNetwork (Global Tel*Link). You can also set it up by phone at 1 (800) 483-8314. This is the same system VADOC uses for inmate calling, so it's where you'll handle prepaid options like AdvancePay.

5

  • ✓ Placing incoming calls to an inmate (may result in loss of phone privileges)
  • ✓ Calling international numbers (may result in loss of phone privileges)
  • ✓ Making 700, 800, 888, 900, and similar toll-free calls (may result in loss of phone privileges)
  • ✓ Charging calls to credit cards, third parties, or any billing other than collect or prepaid to the called party (may result in loss of phone privileges)
  • ✓ Transferring calls to a third party, or using call forwarding, call forwarding services, or answering machine services (may result in loss of phone privileges)
  • ✓ Calling pager numbers or calling pay phones (may result in loss of phone privileges)

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