How to Set Up Your First Phone Call from Wallens Ridge State Prison

Wallens Ridge State Prison is a Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) facility, so statewide VADOC phone procedures apply. All calls and phone accounts go through ConnectNetwork, operated by Global Tel*Link. If your loved one is under VADOC custody but physically housed in a local jail, these steps won't apply - local jails have their own rules and phone systems.

A few limits to know before that first call comes through. Your loved one can have up to 15 approved phone numbers on their call list, and numbers in "pending" status count toward that cap. Your number won't go active until you - the phone subscriber - grant consent through an automated verification process, which can take a few days. Once calls start, each one is capped at 20 minutes.

First step: your loved one needs to add your phone number to their approved call list using the facility's auto-enrollment phone system. They can add or remove numbers anytime, but the list maxes out at 15 - including attorney numbers and investigator hotlines. If the list is full, they'll have to remove a number before adding yours.

• ✓ Use the auto-enrollment phone system to add the phone number
• ✓ Check how many numbers are already on the call list so you don’t hit the 15-number limit
• ✓ If the list is full, remove one number before trying to add a new one

Your number won't work right away, even after it's added. VADOC requires the telephone subscriber (you) to grant consent through an automated verification process before the number goes active. Your loved one can do everything right on their end - you still won't receive calls until you complete those automated prompts.

1. Answer the automated verification - when the consent/verification process reaches you, respond to the automated prompts.
2. Follow the prompts exactly - the goal is to grant consent so your number can become active on the call list.
3. Give it time if needed - activation isn’t always instant; the process can take several days.

Once your number is active, you need a way to pay for calls. Some people start with collect calls, but you're never required to accept them. If you'd rather avoid collect charges and keep costs predictable, consider setting up an AdvancePay (prepay) phone account through ConnectNetwork.

Another option: the inmate's PIN Debit Account. With PIN debit, calls are paid from the incarcerated person's account when they dial approved numbers. If you want to help fund that account, you'll need their 7-digit state ID number to make deposits through ConnectNetwork.

1. Create a ConnectNetwork account - this is the platform VADOC uses for phone funding.
2. Choose the right agency - select “VA” as the state and “Department of Corrections.”
3. Have the 7-digit state ID ready - you’ll need the inmate’s 7-digit state ID number to complete setup and make deposits.
4. Pick your funding method - choose AdvancePay (prepay for calls you receive) or make a deposit to the inmate’s PIN Debit Account.
5. Use phone support if you prefer - you can set up a pre-pay phone plan by calling ConnectNetwork toll-free at 1-800-483-8314.

Troubleshoot

• ✓ Confirm your loved one added your exact phone number to their approved call list (and that they haven’t hit the 15-number limit)
• ✓ Make sure you completed the automated subscriber consent/verification so the number becomes active
• ✓ If collect calls aren’t working for you, set up AdvancePay or fund the inmate’s PIN debit option through ConnectNetwork

This guide covers the VADOC process at Wallens Ridge State Prison - ConnectNetwork (Global Tel*Link) setup, subscriber consent, and basic system limits. Before relying on it for timing or costs, verify local details that can change: phone access hours, housing-unit phone room rules, and current fees through the vendor. One more thing to keep in mind: VADOC calls are recorded and monitored (except properly verified attorney calls), and each call is limited to 20 minutes.