How Inmate Phone Calls Work at USP Pollock (and Why They're Monitored)

Phone service at USP Pollock runs through the BOP's Inmate Trust Fund operation - a self-supporting program, much like commissary or laundry. The system is designed to be efficient and reliable, but it comes with built-in controls and costs. Calls can be a lifeline for families. They also operate within a structured framework.

"Monitored" makes most people wonder: can any call be private? Under BOP rules, unmonitored calls to attorneys are allowed in certain circumstances. These are handled separately from everyday personal calls because they involve legal communication. If you're supporting a legal matter, know that a pathway for unmonitored attorney calls exists - but it's not the default for regular family conversations.

The payment setup is straightforward: ordinarily, the inmate pays for calls. Sometimes the receiving party can pay instead, but expect most calls to be funded from your loved one's account unless you've confirmed otherwise. If calls suddenly stop coming through, check the payment arrangements first.

BOP rules draw a hard line on workarounds. Third-party or alternative telephone call arrangements are not permitted for inmates. Your loved one can't set up calls through a middleman or use creative routing to bypass the system. If something feels like a hack or shortcut, assume it's not allowed - stick with approved calling options.

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• ✓ Expect calls to be monitored - there’s a posted notice by each inmate phone.
• ✓ Talk with your loved one about how calls are being paid for; ordinarily the inmate pays, but in some cases the receiving party pays.
• ✓ Don’t try to set up third-party or “alternative” calling arrangements; those aren’t permitted.
• ✓ If call issues keep happening, remember the phone system is part of the Trust Fund operation and is meant to be an efficient, self-supporting service - so account/payment setup often matters as much as signal or timing.