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Understanding Phone Calls from Florida Prisons: Rates, Limits, and Free Call Options

Phone calls are often the fastest way to stay connected, but the billing and limits can trip you up at first. Here's how phone calls from Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) facilities work—costs, time limits, and where to get help if something goes wrong.

• 2 min read • web.connectnetwork.com
Understanding Phone Calls from Florida Prisons: Rates, Limits, and Free Call Options

AdvancePay (through GTL/ConnectNetwork) is a prepaid phone account that you - the person receiving the call - set up and fund. The cost of each call comes out of your prepaid balance, not the incarcerated person's account. You decide when to add money and how much. Once your AdvancePay account is funded, you can start receiving calls from your loved one.

Every incarcerated individual gets one free phone call per week through GTL's program - up to 5 minutes. It's a short window, but it's a reliable way to get a quick check-in when you're stretching your phone budget.

Paid calls within the North American Dialing Plan cost $0.135 per minute under the current contract. To estimate what a conversation will cost, multiply your expected call length by that rate.

Florida prison calls max out at 30 minutes - that's a hard cap on how long you can talk in one stretch. There's also a 30-minute cooldown between calls. Even if you want to call right back or your loved one is trying to reach multiple family members, there's a mandatory gap after each completed call before another one can go through.

Note: Plan around the 30-minute call limit and the 30-minute waiting period. If a call ends and you're hoping for another one soon, expect that required pause before the next one can connect.

Leaving a voicemail through the inmate voicemail system? You'll need the inmate's 7-digit PIN. Have it ready before you call - without it, you won't be able to complete the voicemail steps.

Understanding Phone Calls from Florida Prisons: Rates, Limits, and Free Call Options

Need help with FDC phone services? ConnectNetwork/GTL offers 24/7 live customer support at 866-732-9098 - whether you're getting started or troubleshooting an existing setup.

  • ✓ Confirm you’re using AdvancePay (the prepaid account the called party manages and funds)
  • ✓ Call 866-732-9098 to reach 24/7 live customer support for FDC services
  • ✓ Be ready to explain what you’re trying to do (set up, fund, or fix an issue with your calling account)

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