Making Phone Calls from SCI Frackville: What Your Loved One Can Tell You

SCI Frackville uses Pennsylvania DOC's inmate telephone system, which covers numbers in the North American Calling Plan. That means all 50 U.S. states, plus Puerto Rico, Canada, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and other Caribbean islands. For calls within the 50 states, your loved one can place the call collect (you accept the charges) or use pre-paid time purchased through commissary. Here's where families often get caught off guard: some destinations can't be called collect at all. Calls to Puerto Rico, Canada, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and other Caribbean islands require pre-paid time. If your loved one is trying to reach you outside the 50 states and the call won't connect, this payment rule is usually why.

1. Choose a language - the system prompts for English or Spanish.
2. Pick the call type - select Collect or Debit, depending on how the call will be paid.
3. Enter the number - dial the area code and phone number (or, for an international call, the country code and telephone number).
4. Enter the IPIN when prompted - the system will ask for the inmate’s Inmate Personal Identification Number (IPIN) to complete the call.

Even when someone is approved to use the phones, call access can feel inconsistent. The facility may limit how many calls are made or set specific calling "blocks" if there aren't enough phones to go around - or if security or operational concerns require tighter control. In practice, that can mean fewer chances to call on certain days, or heavy competition for phones during peak hours.

Calling schedules aren't the same across all Pennsylvania prisons. Each facility sets its own, so the times your loved one can place calls at SCI Frackville depend entirely on how that institution manages phone access.

If your loved one needs pre-paid time - say, to call destinations that can't be billed collect - they can purchase it at commissary. Worth asking them whether they have enough time loaded before expecting a call.

Questions and Issues

• ✓ Ask your loved one what calling block or schedule their housing area is following right now, since facilities can set specific calling times.
• ✓ If calls are getting cut short or not connecting, keep in mind the facility can limit calls or schedule calling blocks for operational or security reasons.
• ✓ Check SCI Frackville’s facility information for any posted calling blocks or updates - this draft doesn’t include a SCI Frackville-specific calling schedule or a direct contact for phone-call problems.