High Cost of Inmate Phone Calls (Editorial)

[Dazzler]

I only put up a deposit because I intended to go over the limit every month. 

[autumns_mummee]

I have a pre-paid acct with Concolidated because I've got a cell phone. I did notice that in July my 30 minute call came to over $16 but then last month it was only $9.40 which is what it's supposed to be minus all the stupid connection fees & taxes I guess.
It's still robbery but I'll gladly take the drop in price. Now if we could just get them to lower the price on those $6 sandwhiches in the vending machines!

[lvanrs2]

autumns_mummee,
I use my cell phone and wasn't required to get prepaid.  They did tell me if I registered my cell phone and house phone I would have to use prepay as they only allow 1 line per name.

[kate102518]

I was never asked for a deposit either.  Does it depend on your phone service, or how is it determined?  Or maybe it was just my stellar credit   

[KSwife]

I paid a deposit so I could receive more calls. When the calls were 30+ per call, we were only able to talk 3 or 4 times a month. Now it's a different story.

[mamielane]

My calls have went down,they are $1.38 cheaper. $8.47 to $7.09!

[angeleyes]

i set up my prepaid account yesterday and there was no deposit.  they told me a 30 min call would be 8.70.  1.80 to connect ans 23cents a minute after.

[dgris3749]

I contacted the Illinois Commerce Commission who regulates phone rates and the existing law precludes them from doing anything about the phone rates within the prison system.  Until that law is changed, the IDOC and Consolidated can continue to operate without any worries of being a monopoly.

[Angela]

i set up my prepaid account yesterday and there was no deposit.  they told me a 30 min call would be 8.70.  1.80 to connect ans 23cents a minute after.

I was told $1.80 to connect the call then $0.25 a minute there on. I think they tell us what ever we want to hear so that we won't complain.   

[jdmlt]

My calls run like this: I add $50 to the bill
50.00 minus 3.23 for taxes leaves me 46.77
2.05 connect fee on first minute
  .25 every minute after
9.30 for 30 minute call

so actually my calls run approx. 10.00, which is better than when my son was in county with Securus, it was 12.00 for only 15 minutes.
I was told by ccps that connect fees differ by distance.

[sanders]

it cost $10 a phone call for my hubby to call me and he calls me 2-3 times a week it all depends on how im doing that week... the 2 wks my bf was out of town for work he called me 3 times bc he knew i was depressed. i get $100 on my acct a month and its my cell phone i dont think we had to  pay a deposit when we signed up for it