How to Contact an Inmate at Facility

You do not need a Securus online account to receive free telephone calls from people incarcerated in CDCR facilities. If your phone can accept the call, you can receive it without setting up an online profile first.

Video calls and electronic messaging work differently. Once those services are available for your loved one’s location, you will need a Securus online account to receive video calls and electronic messages.

Want to be ready for prepaid video calls through Securus? Set up your account ahead of time and use AdvanceConnect in the app to add funds. That way, if video calling becomes available where your loved one is housed, you're not scrambling to get started.

Steps-to-follow

• ✓ Expect that you can receive free telephone calls without a Securus online account (confirm any call acceptance procedures with the facility).

• ✓ Create a Securus online account if you want to use video calls or electronic messaging when those services are available.
• ✓ If you plan to receive prepaid video calls, use the Securus app’s AdvanceConnect feature to set up and add funds for prepaid video calls.

Even though you don't need a Securus account for free phone calls, it helps to confirm the facility's call procedures. Find out what the person in custody needs to do on their end (like any required calling setup) and what you should do to make sure your phone accepts the call.

Service rollouts vary by housing location. Check whether video calls and electronic messaging are currently available for your loved one. If they are, you'll need a Securus online account to use them.

1. Confirm video calling is available for your loved one’s housing location at the facility.
2. Create your Securus account so you can receive video calls when allowed.
3. Set up prepaid video funding in AdvanceConnect within the Securus app, and add funds if you plan to receive prepaid video calls.