Frustrating!! Distorted Noisy Phones!

[Courage]

Please keep us updated as to whether the phones get better or not. If so I will be contacting her too. Thanks for taking the lead on this. Hopefully the quality of our calls will get better.

[Jennifer030]

I have great news to report.  The technician did come and was working on the phone but was unhappy with the results.  He went out to his truck and brought back a brand new phone and tonights telephone conversation was as normal as could be.  No screaming, no banging, no "What?" "What did you say?", none of that. 

This has been worth pursuing. 

Jennifer

[Dazzler]

Like I said in the beginning...it's the phones...

[mserer]

Great job Jennifer! Regardless of the cause of the problem you've definately found a solution 

[Crowe29]

He didn't make it fast enough I guess and we got a bad phone..so I will be following Jennifer's lead and will report this to Consolidated. As much as I'm grateful to hear his voice at all, if there's something that can be done about it then why not do it right?

[rottiemama2003]

Please send them to Graham. They are needed, Jennifer it is your money and you have that right to fight for your money. Very good the squeaky wheel does get the oil.

[jcruz1104]

Dazz is right its the phones, its the same problem everywhere.  I always call CPS after and tell them the issue. and If I have to cut my call short becuz of I cant hear you or what ever I tell CPS and they are pretty good at giving me a credit.

Also at Vienna they put in new phones yesterday. I dont know if it was the whole facility, but atleast where my hubby is. He called it was so clear and nice to hear him!!

[Dazzler]

You have to understand the beating those phones take...you've got inmates on them constantly and they even beat the phones when they're ticked off at their caller......they are probably slammed down a dozen times a day....they're only plastic.  I don't know if the shouting also distorts them but many prisons are so noisy the inmates have to scream into the phones to be heard over the guy right next to him on another phone....eventually everything must loosen up inside and fall apart...   They do replace those phones regularily, but usually not unless someone from the prison complains or a LO complains.  Perhaps Consolidated is actually doing some type of routine maintenance and replacing them....and don't forget that Consolidated is a regular reader of IPT....bet you didn't know that?

[TimeStandsStill]

You just never know who (good or bad) may be reading at any time.  A good reminder that sometimes we need to be mindful as to what is posted on a public board when it comes to more personal issues.

[Dazzler]

Not that they show up often but we have IDOC staff and two wardens as members here....that's what the MO boards are for...

[mserer]

I think everyone acknowledges and respects the fact that this is a public forum and anyone can read it (it is, after all, the internet).  However, unless I missed something in this thread, I don't believe anyone said anything wrong or out of line.  Regardless of the cause of the phone issues (whether it is the equipment or some other problem) we are consumers paying a very high price for a service and we should be able to voice our opinion rather than lie down and take it simply because of our situation.  I for one, think that Jennifer did the right thing and I applaud her for thinking to stick up for herself.

[Dazzler]

I don't believe anyone has criticized Jennifer for what she did...I didn't see that anywhere either.  We're just commenting that sometimes Consolidated listens to our complaints right here on IPT and tries to solve the problems...

[jdmlt]

The second one will be fairly clear if he smacks it but if he forgets to the distortion becomes too bad to understand him very quickly. -
Jennifer

However, unless I missed something in this thread, I don't believe anyone said anything wrong or out of line. 

The comment about smacking the phone is what could be read and taken further with consequences to our LOs.

[sandybeaches]

My l/o is at Vienna.  We have had the same problem for 7 months.  I finally called the prison and they transferred me to the person responsible for the phone upkeep.  She informed me that in Vienna, the Consolidated technicians come through once a week and pick up any work orders for phones that aren't working properly.  My l/o had told the guard several times.  The guards are suppose to put in the work order.  They had not.  She put one in for the phone and within 24 hours the tech came and fixed the phone. 

I agree that we pay way too much to not be able to hear.  I also agree that I would rather hear from him with static then not at all.

At some point someone needs to speak up or nothing will ever change.  When I called Consolidated I reminded them that if the phone isn't working properly and cannot be used that they will be losing a lot of money.  In Vienna there is only one phone per wing.

[jdmlt]

A while back ago my son called from BMR. Two calls in a row where so bad that I had him hang up & call back. The third was fine.  I called CPS the next morning, advised them what happened. I also told her that "I always talk for 25-30 mins & she will be able to tell that." She stated "yes, she saw this and the calls in ? will be refunded." She told me credit for the 5 min. and the 3 min. call credited back.

[Jennifer030]

I am so thankful that I can clearly hear my loved one now.  Consolidated must be held accountable for the service they provide.  They replaced that miserable phone with one that is now working so they must be responsible for more than just taking our money.  I would encourage each of you who are paying through the nose for phone service to speak with them and get your issues resolved.  There is no sense in paying for something you're not receiving. 

Both we and our loved ones don't need any more frustrations heaped upon us than what we already have to deal with.  Hearing AND understanding him is priceless.

BTW, I sent him a Telephone Justice Petition and he gave it to his cellie for his family to fill with signatures.  They are also enjoying the new phone.  We need to link arms and work toward improving the lives of our incarcerated friends and family. 

Jennifer