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Telephones

Interview with Wyatt and Erica

JM: Did you have regular access to telephones?
Wyatt: Anytime you were not locked in the cell (also known as "blocked out") you were allowed to use the telephones. Each block had one telephone, so sometimes you had to wait in line. You could use the phone in 20 minute increments. After 20 minutes, the call would be disconnected.
Erica: yes I could use phone anytime

JM: What types of charges applied for calling people? How much money would you guess the average inmate spends per week on phone calls?
Wyatt: All calls had to be made collect, so the families of inmates were usually the ones footing the bill. If your family or friends did not have the right phone service, or if their homeline was connected to the internet, the call would not go through. On average, inmates and their families probably spend at least 5 dollars per call for local calls, and twice as much for long distance. If they are calling everyday, its at least 50 dollars.
Erica: a lot of charged were applied to the phone. it cost like 6 dollars per phone call and was a huge money sucker. 300 dollars or so

JM: Did you need to buy phone cards to call out?
Wyatt: We did not get calling cards, so all cards had to be collect and were charged to the person you were calling.If the people you wanted to call did not have this service, you weren't about to talk to them.
Erica: no it was all online

JM: Did the jail screen your calls?
Wyatt: Yes, all calls leaving the jail were screened and recorded. If a conversation was considered criminal it could be recorded and used against you. The jail also had the ability to hang up on calls when they deemed neccesary.
Erica: yes they could listen into the conversations

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