When Inmates Can Use the Phone at Stearns County Jail

Stearns County Jail has telephones in all housing units. Your loved one doesn't need to be moved somewhere else to make calls - they can use the phones whenever they're not on lockdown.

If calls suddenly stop, a lockdown is often the reason. Phone access shuts down during lockdown, even though the phones are right there in the housing unit. So if you're used to regular calls and things go quiet, don't jump to conclusions. It's likely about timing and facility status - not a problem with your number or their willingness to reach out.

Practical Steps

• ✓ Wait and try again later - if they’re on lockdown status, they may not be able to use the phones until that status changes.
• ✓ Ask your loved one (when you do connect) whether they’ve been on lockdown status, since that directly affects when they can place calls.
• ✓ If the silence continues and you need clarity, contact the facility directly to ask whether phone access is currently being affected by lockdown status.