How to Save Money on Jail Calls: A Practical Guide

Staying in touch with family and friends who are incarcerated is important for their well-being and for maintaining relationships. However, the cost of jail and prison phone calls can quickly become a significant financial burden. Understanding how these systems work and what options are available can help you reduce expenses and make communication more affordable.

Understanding Jail Call Costs

Jail and prison phone calls are often more expensive than standard phone calls due to a variety of factors. Facilities typically contract with specific telecommunications providers, giving these companies a monopoly over communication services. These contracts often include high commission rates paid back to the facility, which drives up the cost for callers.

Common providers include companies like Securus Technologies, Global Tel*Link (GTL), and ICSolutions. Each provider has its own rate structure, which can vary significantly depending on the correctional facility, the type of call (local, long-distance, international), and the account type you use.

Why Jail Calls Are Expensive

Exclusive Contracts: Facilities often have sole contracts with one provider, eliminating competition.
Commission Fees: A portion of the call revenue often goes back to the correctional facility.
Service Charges: Various fees can be added, such as connection fees, transaction fees, and surcharges.
Technology and Infrastructure: Providers invest in secure, monitored communication systems, which are costly to maintain.

Key Strategies for Saving Money on Jail Calls

While the costs can be high, there are several practical steps you can take to lower your expenses when making or receiving calls from a correctional facility. Planning ahead and understanding your options are crucial.

Use Prepaid Accounts

One of the most effective ways to save money is by setting up a prepaid calling account. Providers like Securus (AdvancePay) and GTL (ConnectNetwork) offer these services. Instead of receiving collect calls, which often carry higher rates and additional fees, you fund an account that the incarcerated individual can then use to call your number directly.

Lower Rates: Prepaid calls generally have lower per-minute rates compared to collect calls.
No Collect Call Fees: You avoid the extra charges associated with collect calls.
Control Spending: You load a specific amount of money, helping you budget your communication expenses.

Avoid Collect Calls When Possible

Collect calls are often the most expensive option. When an incarcerated individual places a collect call, the recipient is charged for the call after accepting it. These calls frequently have higher per-minute rates and can include additional service charges or setup fees.

If you have the option to set up a prepaid account, it is almost always more cost-effective to do so. Only rely on collect calls if it’s the only method available or if you are unable to set up a prepaid account.

Research and Compare Rates

Call rates can vary significantly from one facility to another, even within the same state or county. Before adding funds to an account, take some time to understand the specific rates charged by the provider for the facility your loved one is in. You can usually find this information on the provider’s website or by contacting their customer service.

Visit Provider Websites: Securus Technologies, GTL (ConnectNetwork), and ICSolutions often list rates by facility.
Contact Customer Service: Speak directly with a representative to get clear pricing details.
Understand Rate Tiers: Some providers have different rates for local, in-state long-distance, and out-of-state long-distance calls.

Utilize Local Phone Numbers (If Applicable)

In some cases, if you live in a different area code than the correctional facility, you might be charged long-distance rates. One strategy to potentially reduce costs is to use a local phone number service (e.g., a VoIP service) that provides a local number in the facility’s area code. The incarcerated individual can then dial this local number, potentially incurring a lower local call rate.

Always verify with the specific phone provider at the facility if this strategy is permissible and if it genuinely results in lower costs, as rules and billing can vary.

Understand All Fees and Surcharges

Beyond the per-minute rate, various fees can add up. These might include:

Connection Fees: A flat fee charged per call, regardless of duration.
Transaction Fees: Fees for adding funds to your account online or over the phone.
Statement Fees: Charges for paper statements.
Regulatory Surcharges: Fees passed on from governmental regulations.

Be aware of these additional costs when managing your account and budget. Some transaction fees can be avoided by adding larger sums less frequently, if your budget allows.

Explore Third-Party Calling Services (Use with Caution)

Several third-party companies claim to offer reduced rates for jail calls by acting as an intermediary. These services typically provide you with a local number in the facility’s area code, and then forward calls to your actual phone. While some may offer savings, it is crucial to exercise extreme caution.

Research Thoroughly: Look for legitimate reviews and verify their business practices.
Understand Risks: Some services may be unreliable, charge hidden fees, or even be scams.
Check Facility Rules: Some correctional facilities may restrict or prohibit the use of third-party forwarding services.

It is generally safer and more straightforward to use the official prepaid services offered directly by the facility’s contracted phone provider.

Maximize Call Duration

Most jail calls have a set maximum duration, often 15 or 20 minutes. If there’s a connection fee per call, making fewer, longer calls (up to the maximum allowed time) can be more cost-effective than making many short calls. Plan your conversations to make the most of each connection.

Setting Up a Calling Account

Setting up a prepaid account is usually a straightforward process. Here are the general steps:

Identify the Provider: Determine which phone service provider is used by the correctional facility where your loved one is located. This information is often available on the facility’s website or through your loved one.
Visit the Provider’s Website: Go to the official website of the provider (e.g., Securus Technologies, GTL ConnectNetwork, ICSolutions).
Create an Account: Register for a new account, providing your personal details and phone number.
Add Funds: Deposit money into your prepaid account using a credit/debit card. You may also have options to pay via money order or Western Union.
Manage Your Account: Monitor your balance, view call details, and add more funds as needed through the online portal or mobile app.

Advocacy for Lower Rates

The high cost of jail calls has been a subject of advocacy and policy reform efforts for many years. Organizations and lawmakers continue to push for caps on call rates and increased competition to make communication more affordable for families. While individual actions can help manage costs, broader systemic changes are also slowly being implemented in some areas.

Conclusion

Staying connected with incarcerated loved ones is vital, and managing the associated costs requires a proactive approach. By choosing prepaid accounts, understanding rate structures, and being mindful of fees, you can significantly reduce your expenses. Always prioritize using official provider services and thoroughly research any third-party options. Making informed choices helps ensure you can maintain communication without undue financial strain. For more helpful articles on managing finances and practical guides, explore other resources on AnswerHarbor.com.