Let’s say you’re 17 and have a six-month prison sentence in Massachusetts. You are the eldest of four children and your parents work minimum-wage jobs. She usually looks after her siblings after school because her family cannot afford childcare and she has never been away from home. You miss your family and the comforts of home and want to call your mom, but you know that a 30-minute call will cost you as much as a precious hour of babysitting for your siblings. What are you working?
Unfortunately, this is a problem faced by many inmates and their families. In the past, the cost of phone calls from jails and jails was an issue, to say the least, but with the COVID-19 pandemic, the issue has made its way into the public domain. With visiting hours canceled to prevent the spread of the virus, families with incarcerated loved ones have had to choose between spending their money on contact with their incarcerated family members or on essentials like food and childcare. However, now that visiting hours are slowly being restored, the cost of phone calls remains the same.
What are some other tips to keep in touch?
In addition to phone calls and personal visits, there are other ways to keep in touch with your loved one while in detention. Communicating via mail is a simple and easy way to keep in touch and gives the incarcerated person a reminder to hold on to. For example, sending photos through Pelipost is a great way to stay connected and give your loved one a material item to help them through difficult times.
Are you ready to send photos? You can download the Pelipost app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.
Wait for approval and set up an account with the center’s phone provider
The website will give you an estimate of when your account setup will be complete. If this period has passed and you have not received a call from the inmate, please contact the telephone service provider and politely ask for an update on the status of your request.
While you’re waiting for your approval, you can start researching the carrier’s rates. Knowing your prices allows you to estimate how often you can afford to have your inmate call you based on how much money you will be spending each month. Unfortunately, these providers (Securus, Global Tel Link or IC Solutions) tend to charge you the maximum allowed rate, currently $0.25/minute. And now the price can increase significantly due to changes in FCC regulations. Luckily, with PrisonConnect you can use a number that’s close to the facility, ensuring you’re only charged $0.06 per minute!