How to Add Someone to Your Loved One's Phone List in Virginia Prisons
If your loved one is in a Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) prison, they can only call numbers on their approved call list. Here's how the list works, what limits apply, and what to expect on your end.
VADOC facilities cap the approved call list at 15 phone numbers. That total includes both personal and legal numbers, so attorney lines and investigator hotlines count toward the same limit. If your loved one wants to add you but the list is full, they'll need to remove someone first.
The inmate manages this list, not family members. You can't call in to request changes. On your end, being on the list doesn't mean you're locked into accepting calls. You can refuse any collect or debit call when it comes in.
The inmate (or a CCAP probationer/parolee, if applicable) is responsible for building and maintaining the approved call list. Good news: cell phones work fine. VADOC allows wireless numbers, and they're handled the same way as landlines.
Before deciding which numbers make the cut, keep privacy in mind. VADOC records and monitors phone calls. The exception is properly verified attorney calls, which are treated differently than regular personal calls.
What to verify: The exact “how-to” steps for adding and removing numbers (menus, prompts, and timing) can depend on the phone system setup in that housing unit. Have your loved one check their facility orientation materials or ask staff how call-list updates are completed where they are housed.
VADOC calls must go directly to the exact number on the approved list, and they have to end there too. No forwarding, no relay services, no "press 1 to connect" systems that pass the call elsewhere. If your number routes through a business switchboard, a VoIP setup that forwards calls, or any service that redirects after ringing, your loved one may have trouble getting through even if your number is correctly listed.
This "must terminate at the listed number" rule applies to both landlines and cell phones. Since wireless numbers are managed the same way on the approved list, what matters most is that the number your loved one adds is the one you actually answer, with no forwarding in between.
Note: The VADOC inmate phone system is operated through ConnectNetwork by Global Tel*Link. That’s the platform you will typically interact with for phone-related setup and troubleshooting.
Practical Tips Families
- ✓ Reserve space for must-have legal and support numbers first (attorney and investigator hotline numbers count toward the 15)
- ✓ Add the one or two family members who can reliably answer and pass messages
- ✓ Choose a “backup” contact for emergencies in case your main phone is off or you lose service
- ✓ Avoid using up slots on rarely answered numbers, since the list can only hold 15 total
If a call comes in at a bad time, or you're not comfortable accepting charges, you can deny it. VADOC allows recipients to refuse any collect or debit call from an inmate. This helps if you need to manage costs, share a phone line, or only want calls at certain times.
Plan for a short call: All inmate calls are limited to 20 minutes. If you have a lot to cover, prioritize the most important topics first.
Since your loved one manages the list, coordination matters. If you change your number, switch carriers, or start using a new phone, let them know so they can update the approved list (cell phones are allowed, so a mobile number is fine). Keep the monitoring rules in mind when you talk. Calls are recorded and monitored, except properly verified attorney calls. Save legal strategy and sensitive details for protected attorney communications.
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