How to Call an Inmate in Idaho
The Idaho Department of Corrections uses CenturyLink for their inmate phone system. CenturyLink provides secure, customized communications services to correctional facilities throughout the United States, connecting inmates with friends, family, clergy, legal advocates, and other members of their support community.
Called parties can establish and fund prepaid calling accounts by phone or internet. Called parties can make payments directly to an inmate’s calling account, or take advantage of a Prepaid Collect Calling Plan to accommodate calls to cell phones or accounts with credit issues.
The following restrictions may be applied by the IDOC to inmate calling:
- Limits on length of calls or calling availability hours
- Limits on number of inmate calls or total monthly call minutes
- Call monitoring, recording, and inmate voice validation (in order to place calls)
- Blocks on types of phone numbers (such as 800 numbers) or selected phone numbers
- Temporary or permanent denial of phone usage rights for such reasons as disciplinary problems or requests by a called party
The services provided by CenturyLink to the friends and family members of Idaho inmates include secure telephone calls, voice messaging, e-messaging, video visitation, and more. To set up a phone account with CenturyLink visit their website or call 1-888-506-8407.
Receive a Phone Call
Stay connected with incarcerated friends and family through CenturyLink inmate telephone services. Several convenient payment options are available, including:
- Prepaid Collect Calling
Provided through CenturyLink’s billing agent ICSolutions, a Prepaid Collect Calling Plan allows you to receive inmate calls to your specific phone number. No monthly spending Limits.
You do not have to contact anyone prior to receiving phone calls using Prepaid Collect. On your first accepted call, you will automatically be given the opportunity to set up a Prepaid Collect Calling Plan with a customer service representative.
- Debit (Inmate-Prepaid) Calling
Provided through CenturyLink’s billing agent ICSolutions, Debit enables you to directly fund a calling account for an inmate. Debit calling can be used by the inmate to call any number approved by their facility.
A Debit (Inmate-Paid) account is a convenient alternative for friends and family to deposit funds directly into inmates’ calling accounts. Debit account service is available through CenturyLink’s billing agent ICSolutions at 888-506-8407 or www.icsolutions.com.
- The Prepaid Collect purchase rules and fees also apply to Debit
- Once payment is received, the funds belong to the inmate
- Debit is also more flexible than Prepaid Collect. Inmates may call any telephone number (not just the number associated with a Prepaid Collect Calling Plan), including international and cellular numbers.
Debit phone time can also be purchased directly by inmates through commissary, using funds from their inmate banking account. Please click here to find out how to send money to an IDOC inmate.
Send an Email
Available at most Idaho facilities, e-messaging allows you to communicate through secure email. Depending on facility rules, you can even send picture and video attachments and receive return messages from your incarcerated loved one. This service is available through CenturyLink’s partner JPay.
Email is purchased in packages of “stamps” for you to send emails as well as for the inmate to send a return email using kiosks installed at IDOC facilities.
To get started, you will need to know your inmate’s IDOC number available on IDOC’s website.
To establish or manage existing service, click here to visit the JPay website.
Send a Voicemail
Tired of waiting for a phone call to share important news? Wanting to tell your loved one to call at a different time? CenturyLink’s voicemail product lets you start the conversation.
Inmate voicemail is available at IDOC using the same Prepaid Collect Calling Plan used to receive phone calls. Voicemails are one-way only, from outside parties to inmates (inmates may not leave voicemails for outside called parties). Voicemails are up to 2 minutes in length. To send a voicemail to an IDOC inmate:
- You must have an established Prepaid Collect Calling Planーthis is the same Prepaid Collect Plan you use to receive regular inmate phone calls
- Have the phone number associated with Prepaid Collect Calling Plan, as well as your inmate’s IDOC ID number. To find your inmate’s ID number, click here.
- Call 208-258-3670 and follow the system prompts.
Set-up a Video Visit
Available at some facilities in Idaho, video visitation provides more convenient access for family members and attorneys to visit with inmates – either on-site at the facility or remotely in their home or office. This service is available through CenturyLink’s partner JPay.
Inmate Telephone Rates for Idaho Department of Correction
Prepaid Collect accounts have a rate of $.11 per minute for local and interstate calls, and $.80 per minute for international calls. Inmate paid debit calls have the same rate. Voicemails with the Prepaid Collect Calling plan cost $1.00.
