Inmate Calls to Outside Parties

The diagrams in this section show the flow of events as well as the messages heard by the inmate and/or the called party for the billable call types, as well as failed collect calls and free calls.

The types of calls that inmates can place to called parties are summarized in the table below, and the call flows for these calls are presented on the pages immediately following this table.

This is the master menu from which an inmate selects the type of call they want to make to an outside party, which may include friends, family, or a legal professional such as an attorney or a bail bondsman.

This call flow presents the steps that are required when an inmate attempts to place a call with this option from the Inmate Calling Menu. Since the inmate requested a call of this type, The ENFORCER® must check the dialed number against an internal database to determine the status of the number as well as the dispensation of the call.

This is the call flow used by inmates to place either a Collect call or a Prepaid Collect call. From the point in the process shown at the top of this call flow, the call flow is identical for a Collect call or a Prepaid Collect call.

This menu shows the process that takes place when an inmate attempts a collect call to an outside number that does not have collect calling arrangements in place with the telephone service provider. If the call is the inmate’s first call to such a number, this call flow shows how the call is allowed as a courtesy to the called party. Immediately following the call, the called party is transferred to an ICSolutions® Customer Service representative. During this call, the caller is offered the option to set up a Prepaid Collect account to allow future calls to the phone number.

This menu option and call flow are used only at agencies or facilities that issue debit cards to inmates to fund calls to outside parties. The calling activity allowed by the card can be either cost-based (in dollars) or time-based (in minutes). This call flow enables inmates to activate a newly issued card, transfer a remaining card balance to another card, or enter an active card number to begin the process of placing a Debit Card call.

This is the call flow used by inmates to place either a Debit call or a Debit Card call. From the point in the process shown at the top of this call flow, the call flow is identical for an Inmate Debit call or an Inmate Debit Card call.

This call flow is only available at agencies or facilities that offer either or both of the following:
• A defined number of free calls (no cost to inmates) allowed during a defined time period. For example, three free calls per week.
• The designation of a specific called party number as free (no cost to inmate). If such numbers exist, the inmate may dial and connect to the number using this call flow.