How To Unblock A Prison Call
Jails and prisons frequently revoke phone privileges as a disciplinary measure for rule infractions. If an inmate is placed in administrative segregation or disciplinary lockdown, their access to the phones will be temporarily suspended. These blocks lift automatically once the disciplinary period ends. Summary Checklist for Quick Resolution Action Item Target System Expected Outcome Vendor App (Securus/GTL) Eliminates financial blocks Verify virtual numbers Phone Settings Confirms standard SIM card line usage Disable Call Waiting Carrier Network Prevents accidental 3-way call triggers Submit phone bill Facility Administration Proves number ownership for approved lists
Inform the agent that you are not receiving calls and believe your number is blocked. They will verify your identity and, in most cases, lift the block immediately. 3. Register on the Inmate Telephone Provider Website
What do you hear when the call drops or fails?
Once your line is unblocked, taking a few proactive measures will ensure your communication remains uninterrupted.
When you call, explicitly ask the representative if there is a "fraud block" or a "3-way call violation flag" on your number. In most cases, if it is a first-time technical glitch (like call waiting setting off the alarm), the representative can clear the restriction immediately over the phone. Step 3: Disable Call Waiting on Your Phone how to unblock a prison call
Save the facility’s outgoing call number as a contact in your phone. This tells your carrier’s spam filter to allow calls from that number.
Call 1-888-506-8407 to verify your phone number's registration status.
If your account has funds but the calls still will not go through, you must contact a customer service representative. Explain that you are experiencing an automated block.
Alternatively, call their customer service at if you have exceeded spending limits or have a new number that needs verification. Global Tel Link (GTL) / ViaPath : Jails and prisons frequently revoke phone privileges as
| Method | How It Works | Key Considerations | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Send physical letters via the U.S. Postal Service. This is a direct, guaranteed method that never gets "blocked." | Messages are not private and will be read and scanned by facility staff. | | 💬 Approved Messaging Apps | Many facilities partner with services like GTL/ ViaPath's GettingOut , Securus' JPay , or Reliance Connect . These apps allow you to send electronic messages, photos, and even make video calls from your smartphone. | The incarcerated individual typically pays per message, and fees can be high. Reliance Connect serves facilities in Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. | | 🤝 Facility Visit | An in-person visit remains the most direct form of contact. | Requires pre-approval and adherence to strict facility rules. |
If you have a landline, you may need to call your local provider to allow collect calls.
Clear any outstanding balances if you use a direct-bill account. Step 3: Contact the Provider’s Customer Support
If you are suddenly missing calls from an inmate, follow these structured steps to diagnose and resolve the block. Step 1: Identify the Telecom Service Provider Summary Checklist for Quick Resolution Action Item Target
Disable call waiting in your smartphone's settings or dial *70 (depending on your carrier) before receiving a call to prevent incoming notifications from triggering a three-way call block.
If you hear a call-waiting click or receive another notification, ignore it. Do not attempt to hold or switch lines.
First, understand what “blocked” really means. In the free world, a blocked call might be a carrier glitch or a spam filter. In the corrections system, it’s almost always intentional—but not necessarily because you’ve done something wrong. Prison phone systems are run by a handful of private telecom giants (Securus, GTL, IC Solutions) that operate under state contracts. Their first priority is not connection; it is control. Every number is vetted, recorded, and often geo-filtered. A “block” can mean your number was never approved, your inmate’s privileges were revoked, your area code falls outside an allowed region, or simply that the facility changed vendors overnight without notice.
Step three: the technical bypass. If all official channels fail, consider a VoIP workaround. Some families use a second phone number from a different carrier (e.g., Google Voice on a different area code) to test whether the block is number-specific or facility-wide. Others have found that scheduling calls for non-peak hours—3 a.m. on a Tuesday, for instance—sometimes slips past automated filters that trigger during high-volume periods. This is not guaranteed, but prisons’ IT systems are notoriously underfunded; nighttime gremlins often work in your favor.
The security system often misinterprets cellular features as three-way calls.
Go into your cellular network settings, locate the "Call Waiting" toggle under your phone or carrier account settings, and turn it off completely. Step 4: Transition Away from VoIP Numbers