Phone calls, tablets, and messaging options in Wisconsin facilities
At Wisconsin county jails, calls are typically outbound only. You generally cannot call an inmate directly. Walworth County Jail, for example, states that incoming calls for inmates are not allowed. Inmate telephones are available during normal waking hours in housing units (and 24/7 in intake cells). Call limits are common: Walworth lists a 15-minute limit per call and notes that calls are recorded unless they're verified privileged attorney calls. Manitowoc also lists 15-minute call limits. If your loved one has no funds, some facilities provide a way for them to alert you. Manitowoc notes an inmate can leave a recorded message to inform family or friends of their whereabouts if they have no funds.
Warning: Account setup scams are real. Walworth County Jail says its inmate phone service is provided by ViaPath Technologies and warns families to use the official ConnectNetwork service when setting up accounts because lookalike sites may advertise “free deals” to scam you.
For Wisconsin DOC facilities (state prisons), messaging and photos to someone on an ICS tablet run through GettingOut (GTL/ICS). Wisconsin DOC's ICS tablet memo tells family and friends they must create a GettingOut account to message or send photos to a person in DOC care who has an ICS tablet. The memo also lists institution rollout timing (for example, Oshkosh Correctional Institution was tentatively listed for April 2024). Video visiting policies and pricing can be time-limited promos, so confirm what applies right now. Wisconsin DOC's FAQ on the switch to ICS describes an initial promotional period where each person in DOC care may receive one free video visit per week for six months (when operations can accommodate). Virtual visit time slots run approximately 25 to 26 minutes, with additional visits available at a stated cost per visit.
Common Questions
Q
Can I send photos to someone on an ICS tablet and how do I do that?
Yes, if your loved one has an ICS tablet in Wisconsin DOC, you’ll need a GettingOut (GTL/ICS) account to message or send photos. If you’re sending physical mail for scanning, Wisconsin DOC lists the TextBehind address as P.O. Box 189, Phoenix, MD 21131 (include the sender return address, plus the person’s full name, DOC number, and facility name). If you’re sending printed photo products, TextBehind says it will not copy photobooks or albums, but it will process individual or loose photos.
Q
How long are video visits and do they cost anything?
Wisconsin DOC has described an initial promotional period where each person in DOC care may receive one free video visit per week for six months (when operations can accommodate), with visit slots about 25 to 26 minutes and additional visits offered at a stated per-visit cost. In county jails, pricing and rules can look different. Manitowoc County lists on-site lobby visits as free at certain times, and it notes that remote visits from home may involve data fees.
Q
Can an inmate receive incoming phone calls from family?
Typically no. Walworth County Jail specifically states that incoming calls for inmates are not allowed. If you need to set up calling, Walworth also explains its inmate phone service is provided by ViaPath Technologies and warns families to use the official ConnectNetwork service when setting up accounts to avoid scam sites.
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