How to Call Someone in Jail
A complete guide to staying connected with an incarcerated loved one by phone, video, and app — including costs, providers, and step-by-step setup.
When someone you care about is in jail or prison, hearing their voice can make an enormous difference — for both of you. But the jail phone system is nothing like making a regular phone call. It involves third-party providers, prepaid accounts, strict time limits, and costs that can add up quickly.
This guide walks you through exactly how jail and prison phone calls work, what they cost, how to set up an account, and how to keep expenses as low as possible. You are not alone in this — millions of families navigate this system every year.
How Jail and Prison Phone Calls Work
Inmates cannot receive incoming calls. All calls are outgoing, placed by the inmate from phones inside the facility. There are two main ways these calls are billed:
- Collect calls: The person receiving the call pays for it. The call is billed to your phone account, and rates are significantly higher than prepaid — often $1.00 or more per minute. Many cell phone carriers no longer accept collect calls, which makes this option unreliable.
- Prepaid accounts: You set up an account with the facility’s phone provider and fund it in advance. The inmate dials your number, the system recognizes your account, and the call connects. This is the most common and cost-effective method.
The Three Major Jail Phone Providers
Three companies dominate the correctional telephone market in the United States. Nearly every county jail, state prison, and federal facility contracts with one of these providers:
| Provider | Website | Facilities Served | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| GTL (ViaPath Technologies) | gtl.net | ~2,300 facilities across the U.S. | Prepaid phone, video visitation via GettingOut app |
| Securus Technologies | securustech.net | ~3,400 facilities across the U.S. and Canada | Prepaid phone, video visitation and messaging via JPay |
| ICSolutions | icsolutions.com | ~1,000+ facilities, primarily county jails | Prepaid collect and direct-billed calling |
In 2022, Securus acquired JPay and Aventiv Technologies, consolidating its position as one of the two largest providers alongside GTL (which rebranded as ViaPath Technologies in 2022). ICSolutions is smaller but still serves hundreds of county jails across the country.
How to Set Up a Prepaid Phone Account
Setting up a prepaid account takes about 10 minutes. The exact steps depend on the provider, but the process is similar across all three:
- Identify the provider. Contact the facility or check its website to learn which phone company handles inmate calls. You can also search by facility name on each provider’s website.
- Create an account online. Visit the provider’s website (GTL: gtl.net, Securus: securustech.net, ICSolutions: icsolutions.com) and register with your name, address, phone number, and email.
- Add your phone number. Enter the phone number where you want to receive calls. This is the number the inmate will dial. You can usually register both a landline and a cell phone.
- Fund the account. Add money using a debit card, credit card, or money order. Most providers require a minimum deposit of $5 to $25. Some also charge a processing fee of $3 to $7 per transaction.
- Confirm the setup. You may need to verify your phone number by receiving a test call or confirming via email. Once verified, the inmate can begin calling your number.
- Let the inmate know. During your next letter, visit, or through the facility’s messaging system, tell the inmate your account is set up and ready. They will need to dial your phone number from the facility phone.
How Much Do Jail Phone Calls Cost?
Call costs depend on the provider, the facility’s contract, and whether the call is local or long distance. The FCC has imposed rate caps on interstate (state-to-state) calls, but intrastate (within the same state) rates vary widely. Here are the typical ranges:
| Call Type | Prepaid Rate (Per Minute) | Collect Rate (Per Minute) |
|---|---|---|
| Local calls | $0.05 – $0.25 | $0.50 – $1.50 |
| Long-distance (in-state) | $0.15 – $0.50 | $0.75 – $2.00 |
| Interstate (state-to-state) | $0.12 – $0.25 | $0.14 – $0.35 |
In addition to per-minute charges, many providers add fees including:
- Connection fee: A flat charge of $2.00 – $3.50 each time a call connects, regardless of duration.
- Account funding fee: $3.00 – $7.95 each time you add money to your prepaid account.
- Paper billing fee: $2.00 – $5.00/month if you receive statements by mail.
- Account maintenance fee: Some providers charge a monthly fee if the account is inactive.
Video Visitation Options
Many facilities now offer video visitation as an alternative — or supplement — to phone calls. Video visits let you see and talk to your loved one through a screen, either on a computer, tablet, or smartphone app.
GTL’s GettingOut App
GTL operates video visitation through the GettingOut platform (now part of ViaPath). You can download the GettingOut app on iOS or Android, or visit gettingout.com on a computer. Video visits typically cost $5.99 – $12.99 per session (usually 15–30 minutes). You will need a webcam and a stable internet connection. Scheduling is required — you book a visit window through the app.
Securus’ JPay Platform
Securus handles video visitation through JPay, which it acquired in 2020. JPay offers video visits, email (called “JPay stamps”), and money transfers. Video visits through JPay typically cost $2.95 – $12.95 per session. Download the JPay app on iOS or Android, or visit jpay.com. JPay is the primary video platform for many state prison systems, including Florida, Indiana, Ohio, and Georgia.
JPay for Federal Prisons
The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) uses its own system called TRULINCS for email. For video visitation, availability varies by federal facility. Some federal prisons have contracted with Securus/JPay for video visits, while others offer in-person visitation only. Check with the specific federal facility for current video visit availability.
Tips to Reduce Phone Costs
Jail phone costs can strain a family budget quickly. Here are practical steps you can take to keep costs down:
- Always use prepaid. Prepaid rates are consistently 50–75% lower than collect call rates. Never accept collect calls if you have a prepaid account set up.
- Use a local phone number. If the facility charges less for local calls, consider getting a local number in the same area code as the jail. Services like Google Voice (free) let you get a local number that forwards to your cell phone.
- Fund your account in larger amounts. Since providers charge a flat fee each time you add money, adding $50 at once costs far less in fees than adding $10 five times.
- Check for rate changes. FCC rate caps are updated periodically and some states are passing laws to reduce or eliminate inmate calling charges. Check your provider’s current rate schedule at least once a year.
- Monitor your account balance. Calls cut off when the balance runs out — often mid-conversation. Keep a buffer of at least $5 in your account to avoid unexpected disconnections.
- Look into free-call states. As of 2025, several states have made jail calls free, including New York, Connecticut, California, Colorado, Minnesota, and San Francisco (city). If your loved one is incarcerated in one of these jurisdictions, calls may cost nothing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I call someone in jail directly?
No. Inmates can only make outgoing calls. You cannot call into a jail and be connected to an inmate. You must set up a prepaid account and wait for the inmate to call you. In an emergency, you can contact the jail’s front desk and ask staff to relay a message.
How long are jail phone calls?
Most facilities limit calls to 15 minutes, though some allow up to 30 minutes. When the time limit is reached, the call is disconnected automatically. The inmate can call back, but there may be a waiting period before they can place another call.
Are jail phone calls recorded?
Yes. Nearly all jail and prison phone calls are recorded and monitored, with the exception of calls to an inmate’s attorney of record. A recorded message at the beginning of each call will notify both parties that the call is being recorded. Do not discuss anything you would not want law enforcement to hear.
My phone number was blocked. What do I do?
Numbers can be blocked if the system cannot verify your identity, if you have an unpaid collect call balance, or if the facility has restricted the inmate’s calling privileges. Contact the phone provider’s customer service to find out why and resolve the issue. You may need to pay an outstanding balance or verify your identity.
Can inmates call cell phones?
Yes, inmates can call cell phones through prepaid accounts. However, collect calls to cell phones are often not possible because most cellular carriers do not accept collect calls. This is another reason to set up a prepaid account.
How do I find out which provider my jail uses?
The easiest way is to call the jail directly and ask. You can also search for the facility on GTL’s, Securus’, or ICSolutions’ websites — each provider has a facility locator tool. Alternatively, check the jail’s website under “inmate services” or “visitation” — the phone provider is usually listed there.
Last updated: March 2026. Phone rates and provider information are subject to change. Contact your facility’s phone provider for the most current pricing. If you need help finding an inmate, start with our inmate search guide.