How to Receive Calls From Jail on Your Cell Phone
Inmates need to keep in touch with friends and family members to discuss necessary life issues, as well as to receive overall encouragement. While inmates can have visitors, visits are often limited and may not always be practical. Phone calls offer another option for the inmate to connect with the outside world. Inmates can only call make collect calls. In order to receive a call from an inmate, you must have the ability to accept collect calls on your cell phone. Each facility operates in a slightly different manner. Check with the institution for help in resolving issues.
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Instructions
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1
Unblock your cell phone number so you can receive collect calls.
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2
Press *87 to unblock your number.
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Check with your cell phone provider if you still have difficulty. Depending on the cell phone provider, each company may have slightly different requirements to receive collect calls. For example, Verizon permits calls from inmates to cell phones.
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4
Accept the charges when your loved one calls.
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Set up an account directly with the jail phone service and find out how to buy a calling card from them for the inmate. Companies such as Global Tel Link offer personal accounts and will send you a separate bill for phone service (see Reference 1).
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Prepay for services if the above options do not work. Companies such as Cheap Jail Calls allow you to buy a calling card directly from them, which routes your cell phone number to a land line first and then to your cell phone (see Reference 2).
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Tips & Warnings
Inmates usually make calls from a public area, and the wait to call out may be long. Jail staff monitors calls in most facilities. As of December 2010, typical costs are about $5 per call, depending on the facility (see Reference 3). Disciplinary issues may impact the inmate's freedom to call.
References
- Photo Credit cell phone image by MateiA from Fotolia.com
