Phone Basics for Families: Call Lists, Monitoring, Funding, and Actions That Can Get Phone Privileges Revoked
Phone calls are one of the fastest ways to stay connected, but the rules are strict. Here's how call lists, monitoring, funding, and common mistakes work—so you don't accidentally cause problems for your loved one's phone access.
Your loved one can only call people on an approved call list that they maintain. This includes legal aid contacts. The list is capped at 15 phone numbers, so space is limited - think carefully about which number you want them to use (your cell, a home phone, or another reliable line). If you change numbers, your loved one has to update the list on their end. Families can't add themselves directly, so let them know as soon as your contact info changes.
Assume every call is being listened to and saved. All inmate phone calls are recorded and monitored - with one exception: properly verified attorney calls. If a call isn't set up and verified as an attorney call, treat it like it's being recorded. Because it is.
Calls are capped at 20 minutes so everyone gets fair access to the phones. That means conversations can end quickly, even mid-sentence. Plan ahead: cover the most urgent updates first, then save the casual catch-up for whatever time remains.
Want more control over call costs? You can fund a prepaid phone account through ConnectNetwork, operated by Global Tel*Link. This is the standard way family and friends deposit money to receive calls without relying on collect-call options.
- ✓ Call Global Tel*Link to set up AdvancePay: 1 (800) 483-8314
- ✓ Tell them you want to set up a prepaid plan (AdvancePay) so you can receive calls
- ✓ Have your loved one’s identifying details ready when you call so the account can be matched correctly
- ✓ Confirm the phone number(s) you want associated with the prepaid account before you hang up
Note: Never place incoming calls to an inmate. Incoming calls are prohibited and can get phone privileges revoked.
- ✓ International numbers
- ✓ Toll-free numbers (including 700, 800, 888, 900, and similar)
- ✓ Pager numbers
- ✓ Pay phones
- ✓ Charging calls to credit cards, third parties, or any billing method other than collect or pre-paid to the called party
- ✓ Transferring calls to a third party
- ✓ Using call forwarding, call forwarding services, or answering machine services
- Get the right number on the approved list - Your loved one can only call numbers on their inmate-maintained call list, and it’s limited to 15 numbers, so make sure the number you actually answer is the one they keep on file.
- Talk like it’s recorded - Calls are recorded and monitored unless it’s a properly verified attorney call, so keep sensitive topics off the phone.
- Use the first minutes wisely - Calls cut off at 20 minutes for fair phone access, so lead with the most important updates and save the rest for later.
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