Phone calls and messaging: accounts, limits, and costs

In Georgia state prisons, phone service runs through a vendor account. GDC lists Securus as an option for friends and family to set up a pre-paid collect or direct bill account online or by phone. You can add multiple phone numbers to one pre-paid collect account. Deposits are capped per deposit, so plan ahead if you're funding calls for multiple weeks at a time.

Call rules are strict and enforced. GDC states calls may be monitored or recorded. Call forwarding and three-way calling are not permitted. Calls are limited to 25 minutes per call to numbers on the offender's Call Allow List. GDC also publishes example pricing information for Securus, including a per-minute rate and a total cost for a 25-minute local call.

County jails can look a little different, but you'll still see the same themes: limited access times, an account you may need to set up, and paid calling after an initial prompt. Floyd County, for example, says people in custody can use phones when they're in the common area of their housing block. The first time you're contacted, you receive a one-time free 60-second call, then you're connected to customer care for prepaid options.