How Late Can Inmates Make Phone Calls? The Short Answer

Published November 21, 2023

Having someone you love sentenced to prison is challenging. Suddenly, you are forced to not be with them at times you wish to. Everything seems to take a pause. The situation is even more challenging for prisoners themselves. Their lives took an unexpected turn. They made mistakes. Now, they should pay and change for the better. 

In these challenging times, maintaining connections is crucial. Texts, calls, and mails are critical. In this write-up, we’ll talk about how late inmates can make phone calls. We’ll discover the entire prison phone system. We’ll touch on topics mainly associated with inmate calls, as it is the top form of prison communication. Let’s waste no more time and get started. 

Overview of the Prison Phone System

Prison facilities have phone amenities accessible to inmates. Yet, the terms of its accessibility remain the sole discretion of its administrator. 

The Code of Federal Regulations designates the warden as an overseer of prison calls. It requires them to put in place measures to ensure that these calls are not abused. 

You cannot call an inmate. They are only permitted to make outgoing calls. Incoming calls are never allowed. You can favor a jail staff to relay a message. Yet, this hardly ever reaches the prisoner. 

Calls are strictly monitored. With some, even recorded. Any talks of illegal activities and other sensitive topics are best to steer clear. 

Regulations and Restrictions of Inmate Phone Calls

Rules vary for each facility. It is due to their designated warders having the autonomy to regulate calls. 

One common rule is that prisoners can only call pre-authorized numbers. To regulate authorization, they must register the numbers they intend to reach. 

Different facilities use different registration processes. Most use a digitized system that runs the numbers to see if they are not under the prohibited list. Other jails do not allow calls to mobile phones for security reasons. The digital registration process usually takes around fifteen minutes. Each offender can register ten up to 25 contacts at a time.

Calling federal and local criminal justice workers is not allowed in New York. Inmates are also barred from calling inmates from other facilities, even private vendors. Call conferencing, forwarding, and diverting are off-limits too. Any violation of these provisions will cause the call to disconnect.

Some states, like Washington, don’t implement the phone number registration system. Instead, prisoners have assigned Personal Identification Numbers (PINs), which they have to enter every time they place a call. Any unauthorized calls made under their PIN can get their phone privileges revoked. They also allow international calls and telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD).

Requests for exemption from monitoring are also possible for calls with one’s attorney. Such requests must also follow proper protocols.

Can You Call an Inmate?

Inmates have access to outgoing calls. Yet, incoming calls are usually restricted. Calling an inmate isn’t as simple as you might think. You really can’t call an inmate at all. Prison calls must be outgoing. You have to wait for an inmate to reach you. 

How Late Can Inmates Make Phone Calls?

Calling hours are subject to the warden’s jurisdiction. Inmates can often make calls from 8:00 in the morning and as late as 11:00 in the evening. Some facilities can start phone call hours as early as 6 a.m. They can extend as late as 11:30 p.m. Calls made outside of the set time frame might be allowed. It is in case of an emergency. Still, it needs the warden’s permission. It is rumored that it is almost always impossible to get. 

In the Federal Bureau of Prisons, inmates have up to 300 minutes of call consumable within the month. It resets on a specific date. Also, any unused minutes are voided. 

Each call can only last for at most 15 minutes. Inmates also have to wait an hour after the start of their previous call before making another one.

Can You Call the Jail to Check on an Inmate?

Yes. You can typically call a correctional facility to check on an inmate. The contact information for the facility is also usually present online or in a directory. 

When calling, you must present the inmate’s full name. Also, other relevant information to help the staff locate the individual.

What Times Do Jail Calls Turn Off in the Evening?

In some facilities, phone calls may be turned off around 9:45 p.m. In others, inmates may have access to them until 11:00 p.m. Times can differ from one prison to another. It’s advisable to check with the specific correctional facility. Consult their official website for accurate and up-to-date data for this question.

What Time Do Jail Phones Turn Off on Weekends?

Incarcerated individuals are usually allowed to make phone calls every day. It includes weekends and holidays within set hours. The available hours for phone calls range from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., but these times may vary. 

Revocation of Phone Privilege

As phone access is a privilege in jails, it can be revoked in cases the warden deems necessary. There are several possible reasons for this revocation. Most common of all are charges of misconduct while serving time. This usually lasts for a specific period, depending on the severity of the charge. It can also be terminated once the courts convict them.

Inmate Calling Services

Inmates have access to different calling services. This allows them to communicate successfully with individuals outside the correctional facility. 

1. Collect calls

Inmates can make collect calls to approved phone numbers. The call charges are typically billed to the recipient of the ring. 

2. Prepaid calling accounts 

Inmates or their families can set up prepaid calling accounts. It is often through third-party services. This account lets prisoners make calls, and the fees are subtracted from the account balance. 

3. Inmate debit/calling cards 

Some jails also prodigy inmates with debit or calling cards. They are used to making calls from set phones within the facility. 

4. Third-party calling services 

Inmates may also have access to third-party calling services facilitated by external companies. These services often offer competitive rates for long-distance calls. Also, may include features like voicemail or video visitation. 

Cheapest Prison Phone Call

Historically, prison costs about the same as local telephone calls. Then, it began to rise. Over the course of a few years, it came as high as $14 per minute. It’s such an expensive rate. It is why most inmates rarely make phone calls. 

In 2015, the Federal Communications Commission took steps to cut the cost of jail calls. The decision involves lowering the cost of calls per minute. Also, the elimination of other fees. It applies to all detainees in federal and state prisons and immigrant detention centers. Yet, for local jails, the rate is slightly higher. 

In general, there are two ways by which an inmate can pay for their calls. Firstly, their relatives can top up credits to their phone call account. Secondly, it is by call collecting. 

Currently, the cheapest jail call option is offered by us, Globaltel. Signing up with us will give you a particular jail phone number that an inmate can dial. These unique numbers can save much money for the inmate and their family. The call will be treated as a regular local call. It will also be billed the same way.

Further, we won’t collect sign-up fees. There is also no contract. You can cancel your subscription anytime you like. There’s no pressure on your part. We even offer an option to record your calls. This feature will be helpful when you miss your loved one in jail.