The Department’s “Call-Home” program allows inmates to make phone calls as a way to maintain contact with family and friends.

• The inmate are allowed to make only collect calls except for calls outside of the continental United States, Canada, U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam and Central Northern Marianna Islands, and some emergency telephone calls.
• An inmate is only permitted to call persons on their approved telephone list and may only have up to 15 telephone numbers on their approved list at any time.
• Phone numbers may only be added or deleted at the request of the inmate. This is generally done on a quarterly basis when the inmate meets with his or her assigned Correction Counselor.
• If, however, one does not wish to receive telephone calls from an inmate, one needs to notify the facility, in writing, and one’s name will be entered on the inmate’s Negative Correspondence and Telephone List. The inmate will be immediately notified in writing that the name has been removed from his/her “Telephone List” and that disciplinary action may be taken if the telephone is used in any manner to contact you. In addition, the telephone number will be removed from the telephone system.
• According to the type of facility, inmates are generally permitted to make phone calls every day, including holidays, between the hours of 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM. Calls started at 11:00 p.m. or earlier will be allowed a full 30-minute call. Calls attempted after 11:00 p.m. will not be processed
• Calls will automatically be terminated when the facility specific time limit has been reached, preceded by a warning.
• No call shall exceed 30 minutes. When other inmates are waiting to place calls, a 10 minute limit may be imposed.

Prohibited calls

• No inmate may place a telephone call to the residence of a victim of the crime(s) for which he / she has been convicted, or is presently under indictment, regardless of whether immediate family members maintain the same residence, unless prior written authorization has been received from the Superintendent
• No inmate may call the phone number of any person listed on a court Order of Protection which prohibits telephone communication, unless the order specifically states that the inmate is not prohibited from communication by phone with another person at that same phone number.
• Inmates are prohibited from making telephone calls for the purpose of harassing or intimidating any person.
• Inmate telephone calls and telephone conversations are restricted to the telephone number dialed or otherwise placed by or for the inmate.
• Telephone call forwarding, third party phone calls, and calls to 1-800 numbers are prohibited. Inmates are also prohibited from placing calls to wireless communication devices (i.e., cellular or PCS phone, pagers, etc.). Inmates will be subject to disciplinary action should they violate these rules.

Calls Upon Transfer Or Return To A Facility

• Transferred Inmates. Within 24 hours of arrival at a new facility an inmate shall be permitted one collect telephone call to the family. If security precautions prevent the inmate from placing this call, a staff person designated by the Superintendent, usually from the Guidance and Counseling Unit, shall make the call to a person of the inmate's choice. Exception. This procedure does not apply to an inmate in "transit status" or temporarily at a transit facility overnight or for a weekend during transfer, but it does apply to inmates in holding units in Auburn and Sing Sing.
• Out to Court/Hospital. An inmate out to court or in a hospital for a period of five days or more will be allowed to make a collect telephone call within 24 hours of return to the correctional facility. Collect calls from an outside hospital, other than a secure ward, may be made only with the approval of the Superintendent or designee.
• Returned Parole Violators. A returned parole violator will be allowed to make one collect telephone call within 24 hours after arrival to a person of his/her choice.

Emergency Calls

• To place any type of emergency telephone call, the inmate shall contact his or her assigned Correction Counselor, explain the emergency situation, and request that an emergency telephone call be permitted.
• The Correction Counselor will make a recommendation to the Supervising Correction Counselor, and if the Supervising Correction Counselor approves, the call can be placed. Inmates confined in SHU status must have the Superintendent's approval.
• Whenever possible, emergency telephone calls shall be collect calls to the person receiving the call.
• When a person receiving the emergency call is unable and/or unwilling to accept a collect call, the cost of the call will be charged to the inmate. The assisting employee shall contact the operator prior to the call and ask that the call be placed as a TIME and CHARGES CALL.
• The operator will then be able to call the facility back after the call and provide the amount of the toll. An IAS2706, Disbursement Form, authorizing payment for the call will then be completed, signed by the inmate, and forwarded to the fiscal office for posting. Any charge from the telephone company related to securing this information will be borne by the facility.
• In cases of extreme emergency, a Supervising Correction Counselor, Chaplain, or Watch Commander may authorize that emergency telephone calls be made at facility expense. However, this procedure should only be permitted when it is clear that both the inmate and the party receiving the call cannot pay for the call.

Calls Outside The Continental United States, Canada, U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam And Central Northern Marianna Islands.

Telephone calls outside of the continental United States, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, Puerto Rico, Guam and Central Northern Marianna Islands will be employee assisted with the following additional specifications:

A. Calls will be permitted two times per month, except in emergency situations.

B. Calls must first be checked by an employee designated by the Superintendent to verify whether:

1. The inmate has sufficient funds in his/her account to cover the cost of the call; and
2. The inmate has not reached the two call per month limit.

http://www.docs.state.ny.us/FamilyGuide/FamilyHandbook.html#tele 

http://www.docs.state.ny.us/Directives/4423.pdf