Families of Prisoners Support Group
This community is dedicated to families that have been disrupted by prison. Having a loved one incarcerated or having been incarcerated comes with its own unique challenges that require support and understanding. Join the group to find others who know what you're going through, and to seek advice or share your experience.
My son is still in jail, but for 7 months, I've been paying 5.00 for every 15 minutes we talk through a company called Telmate. I've been told that getting a landline would be much less expensive. Is this true?
59518577dbf
I don't know but I'm hoping someone else does! I've heard the same thing from my daughter.
october2014
I added a second line to my cellphone account and asked them to give me a telephone number that's in the same calling area where he is. For him, then, he just makes a local call, no more long distance calls.
iopgurl214
I also added a line to my current cell phone plan and had them give me a number with the area code of the facility that my fianc is at. It took the calls from $3.15 for 15 minute calls to $0.90 per call. Truly a great move so we can stay in contact more often.
sugarbeet3
Where I live if you get a number local to the prison (not jail ) area, the cost is 85 cents. Cell or landline. Google also has an app, will ask my son about again. Calls froms local jail were more or less $7.50, unable to call from prison yet, but I know it will be better than that. Wish you well in researching this important topic.
abrokenmom
It sounds like there isn't much way around the jail calls. I'm live in town where the jail is. But the calls are coming from Telmate, I think that company is in California. Would I get a phone with a California area code...or does this work only for prison. What I would give for nine cents a minute vs. 39 cents a minute! Sugar beet, if you find out the Google app please let me know! I have found several companies but leery of giving them my debit card info without knowing if they are really legit and if they are really better. Thanks for all the comments!
sugarbeet3
Currently out of town. Will ask my son about the goole app on Monday hopefully. Planning on visiting him then. Will relay his reply. He is at a transfer facility, segregated unfortunately. At least he still can have one visit and one call per week. Paperwork for next facility in the works per warden's office.
kakip
Where I am in AZ, I've used Connectnetwork.com or Globaltelink.com. He's just been transferred to prison and I'm awaiting the long background check wait before we can talk on the phone again. But, I have vonage for my landline. I gave them my home phone number for him to call. With vonage, no matter where I am, if I have my cellphone, I can get his calls as they have a feature where the landline will automatically ring the cellphone. He hates the cellphone, though. He doesn't like the delay in speech. We talk over each other a lot. That's some good advice about adding a line with a new number. I may try that. I'm on Phoenix and he's in Florence.
sugarbeet3
Spoke with my son on monday, about phone calls. He said an app called google voice, with a local number is less than a dollar. I will try it once he gets moved to the facility where he will stay for the next several years. Minimal communication currently s/t foul prison staff. Do send him letters twice per week.
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