Are Your Calls With an Incarcerated Loved One Being Recorded? What Virginia Families Should Know

Yes - VADOC phone calls are monitored and recorded. When someone uses their PIN on the inmate phone system (whether they're incarcerated or on CCAP probation/parole), that counts as consent to recording.

In VADOC, the inmate phone system runs through ConnectNetwork by Global Tel*Link. That’s the platform your loved one is using when they place calls out.

The bottom line: once your loved one enters their PIN and places a call, it's subject to monitoring and recording. The system runs through ConnectNetwork by Global Tel*Link - a vendor-operated setup, not a private phone line.

VADOC offers something called a "Recording Block" for attorney calls. This electronic block prevents monitoring and recording when calls go to a verified attorney phone number. The catch: it has to be requested in advance by the incarcerated person or CCAP participant.

1. Make sure the attorney’s number is the one that should be used - calls go out from an approved call list that the inmate maintains, so the correct attorney number needs to be the number on file.
2. Confirm the attorney number is verified - the Recording Block applies to a verified attorney telephone number, so verification matters.
3. Have the inmate request the Recording Block in advance - the policy is clear that the block must be requested ahead of time by the inmate (or CCAP participant), not flipped on in the moment.
4. Coordinate the timing with the attorney - once the number is on the approved list (which is limited to 15 total numbers) and verified, planning the call helps ensure the protected line is the one being used.

Practical Steps

• ✓ Ask your loved one to confirm the attorney’s phone number is on their approved call list (the list is limited to 15 numbers).
• ✓ Make sure the attorney number is the verified number that should receive protected calls.
• ✓ Have your loved one request the Recording Block in advance for that verified attorney number.
• ✓ Coordinate with the attorney so legal conversations happen on the protected attorney call - not on regular family/friend calls.

One more thing: even if a number is on the approved list, you can still decline a collect or debit call. If you're expecting an important call, make sure you're ready to accept whichever call type your loved one is placing.

The key limitation: a Recording Block only works for verified attorney numbers, and the request must come from the incarcerated person or CCAP participant ahead of time. Double-check with the attorney that the protected number matches the one your loved one is actually calling.

Until you've confirmed an attorney call is properly verified and protected, assume the call is being recorded. Using the PIN counts as consent to recording - so don't share sensitive legal information on regular calls. Save it for a properly set up attorney call.