Dept. Regulation No. B08-001 allows for each inmate to have an approved master list of up to twenty (20) telephone numbers for family, personal and legal calls.  An inmate can update the list on a quarterly basis at the least.

If an inmate attempts to dial any telephone number not on his/her approved list from a state correctional facility, the call is automatically blocked.  Additionally, certain categories of call such as 311, 411, 911, 1-800, 1-900, etc. are blocked.  Individual telephone numbers can be blocked as well.  Members of the public are urged to contact the Office of Adult Services (225-342-9711) if they are receiving unwanted or harassing phone calls from inmates at state correctional facilities.

Inmates can only make collect calls and inmate telephones are limited to out-going calls only, usually limited to 15 minutes.  No one can make a call to an inmate telephone.

When an inmate makes a call, the called party is notified that it is a collect call from an inmate at a state prison facility.  The called party is given the option of accepting or refusing (by hanging up) the call.

Telephone communication access is provided by an outside vendor via a state contract.  In July 2007, Global Tel*Link assumed responsibility over the inmate telephone system in state correctional facilities, having acquired it from Verizon Business, the former MCI division.  Global Tel*Link’s Customer Service number is 1-800-231-0193 for individuals needing assistance with billing issues, problems receiving calls from inmates, receiving unwanted calls and/or requesting a block on future calls from an inmate or inmates.

Inmate telephone calls rates are fixed in contract.  The rates can be lowered if mandated by the Louisiana Public Service Commission (PSC) or the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), but rates can never be raised even if a tariff increase is approved by either agency.

Because inmates are assigned to work, the vast majority of the inmate telephone calls are made during the evening, night and weekend hours.  Below are the estimated costs for typical inmate telephone calls made from state correctional facilities to the major cities in Louisiana.