What is a debit phone account and how is it different than the collect only system?
Beginning in September 2002, a debit phone account was added for each inmate. Previously, inmates only had the option of making collect calls to family and friends. With the debit phone account, family and friends can pre-pay for phone calls from inmates. Family and friends can send in money to the inmate via a cashier’s check or money order (no cash or personal checks accepted) and specify on the cashier’s check or money order that the money go to the inmate’s debit phone account. When an inmate places a debit call using their Personal Identification Number (PIN), a message will inform the inmate of how much money is available in their phone account. The call will be made with the inmates phone account debited for the cost of the call. The call recipient will not be charged for a call on their monthly phone bill under the debit system.
