Inside Inmate Telephone Systems

Inside Inmate Telephone Systems

The idea of providing telephone service to an inmate is to allow them to be in contact with their family so that they are not detached from the society and after their release their rehabilitation is easy.

The inmate telephone system allows the inmates to be in touch with their family and friends at the same time allow the calls to be monitored, recorded & alert the authorities in case of any problems.

Learn about inmate telephone system history

The telephone system consists of:

1. A telephone switch
2. Normal telephones for use of prison staff
3. Special pay phones for inmates with security features
4. Specialized software for monitoring and recording calls
5. System for recording and archiving the call data for later use

Some of the main features of the inmate telephone system are:

• Call restrictions based on the category of inmate
• Call restrictions activation based on the inmates identity and the Inmate Personal Identification Number (IPIN). IPIN is unique set of six digits assigned to individual inmates for making call
• Call restriction features:
  • Based on the inmates identity and category
  • Time of the day/night
  • Call duration/length
  • Toll free numbers and emergency numbers (800, 888, 911)
  • Three-way calling detection & disconnection
  • Call forwarding
  • Calls through a call forwarding service using a local phone number
  • Placing a call through a multiple long-distance carrier
  • Call to only numbers notified by inmate in advance
• Call recording capabilities: Allow staff to listen to the conversation at a later date in case of any problems. The call record includes the date and time, number called, account used, cost, and duration of the call
• Live call monitoring and disconnection: Allows staff to monitor live call in case of any suspicions & disconnect the same if it is threatening or criminal in nature
• Generate alarm when a particular inmate makes a call so that it can be monitored live
• Generate alarm when a particular number fed in advance is dialed by an inmate so that the call can be monitored & if required disconnected if it is undesirable or threatening
• Destination number blocking: This feature allows staff to block calls to victims or governmental employees so that they are not threatened by any inmate
• Phone blocking: This feature allows the jail staff to disable a particular phone to prevent inmates from using the phone in case of any undesirable incidents
• System shutdown: This feature allows the jail staff to shut down the whole phone system in the case of any exigencies like riots etc
• Free call feature: This allows free calls to be made to counsel, public defenders or to special numbers in case of any crisis
• The billing options include prepaid service, collect calling, and debit cards etc
• International calling/international collect calling features; This is for use of immigration detainees