The phone service at a particular correctional center is set up through bid process. In this case, Global
Tel*Link has the contract for all inmate outbound calling and to
tape record the calls - essentially a monopoly. Therefore, you have to use them to receive any calls.
The choice is whether you pay GTL for a long distance call
(to your number) or a local call (to a number that we get you). If you are already local, we cannot save you money.
We get you a local
line matching the rate center of town where the jail is. Your inmate dials this
local number and it will ring on your current phone (nothing changes on your end).
You will need to register the local number with GTL (just
like you would your long distance number without our service) who
will charge you only for the local call. If your inmate can buy
calling cards from the commissary, you will not need to go online and set this
up, they can dial the local number direct with the card. InmateAid
takes care of the long distance portion of the call.
In general,
their price for an long distance call ranges from $4-15 per call.
With the local number, they usually charge less than $1.65 per call - flat
rate. The difference in two call prices is why people use the service, the savings from InmateAid pays for itself in 3-6 calls.
https://www.inmateaid.com/ask-the-inmate/is-this-discount-telephone-service-different-from-the-gtl-pamphlet-you-get-in-the-mail-to-make-phone-calls#answer
Accepted Answer Date Created: November 22,2014