InmateAid gives you a local number that you use to set up with the phone carrier - like Global Tel Link. Make sure that it's a completely separate account from your long distance account. Add money to the new account and now the calls will be billed only a local calling charge (no per minute price) wiping out that $1.00+ per minute charge you've been paying.
https://www.inmateaid.com/ask-the-inmate/if-i-set-up-an-inmateaid-local-number-for-my-family-member-to-call-me-from-prison-will-i-still-need-to-establish-an-account-with-money-i-received-a-number-and-when-he-tried-to-call-me-i-got-a-recording-again-to-add-money#answer
Accepted Answer Date Created: June 02,2013