What Happens to Your Phone Calls: Recording, Monitoring, and the 180-Day Rule
Assume every call is monitored and recorded—unless it's an approved attorney call under specific circumstances. Here's how monitoring works, how long recordings stick around, and what to avoid saying so you don't accidentally create problems for your loved one.
There's a posted notice next to each inmate telephone: calls are monitored. That sign is your clearest heads-up. Regular phone calls aren't private, and the facility wants everyone to know that before they start talking.
Monitoring is part of how the facility manages safety and daily operations. Phone access helps people stay connected to family and support networks, but without oversight, it can be misused. The takeaway for you? Treat every routine call like it could be reviewed later. Stick to personal updates and support - nothing that could be seen as inappropriate or risky.
Calls through the TRUFONE system are stored temporarily, then deleted after 180 days. The exception: recordings needed for legal or administrative purposes may be kept longer. Don't assume a call will be available indefinitely if something about it might matter down the road.
Third-party or alternative phone call arrangements aren't allowed. This rule exists to prevent phones from being used for criminal activity or other inappropriate purposes. Trying to work around the normal call setup can create trouble fast.
Attorney calls get different treatment in limited situations. While regular inmate calls are monitored (the posted notice makes that clear), unmonitored calls to attorneys are permitted under certain circumstances. That exception is narrow and situation-dependent. Don't assume a call is unmonitored just because it involves legal topics - make sure it's properly set up as an attorney call through the correct process.
Practical Steps
- ✓ Assume regular calls are monitored and recorded (the notice is posted by the phones)
- ✓ Don’t discuss attorney-client strategy or other privileged topics on a standard call
- ✓ Keep the 180-day retention window in mind - recordings are deleted after 180 days unless needed for legal or administrative purposes
- ✓ Don’t try to set up third-party or alternative call arrangements; they aren’t permitted
Tip: If you’re trying to reach counsel, ask the attorney what’s required for an unmonitored call and what verification steps need to happen so the call is treated as privileged when permitted.
- Write down the basics right away - note the date, start time, and who was on the call.
- Save any related details in one place - keep your notes together so you can find them quickly if the call becomes relevant.
- Act within the 180-day window - since TRUFONE recordings are deleted after 180 days unless needed for legal or administrative purposes, don’t wait to raise an issue that may depend on a recording.
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