How to Call an Inmate in Missouri

The Missouri Department of Corrections believes that communication with family and friends is important to those who are incarcerated. The state uses Securus for their inmate phone services, and phone calls can be made by offenders with good behavior. The following information explains how and when phones may be used.

While offenders cannot receive telephone calls, telephones are available throughout each institution for offenders to make calls, as long as they are not on restricted status. Inmates assigned to segregation units do have limited access to the telephone. 

Through Securus, all telephones are programmed to process collect calls, debit calls, or prepaid calls. Offenders making toll-free calls or participating in three-way calls may face disciplinary action. Family and friends are warned to not facilitate phone calls between offenders.

Inmates are required to use a personal identification number (PIN) in an automated security system to make calls. They may place a call by purchasing debit minutes in the canteen or from a kiosk inside the institution. 

Offenders may also make collect (Direct Bill) or pre-paid (Advanced Connect) calls using an account set up through Securus. Direct Bill gives the recipient the opportunity to accept charges for a call, which will show up on a monthly phone bill. Advance Connect allows you to fund calls in advance to a specific bill to number (BTN). To receive collect or prepaid calls, you can set up an account with Securus online or by phone, email, or mail.

All offender phone calls are monitored for security purposes.

Advanced Connect

An AdvanceConnect account is a friend & family-owned prepaid calling account that allows you to receive collect calls from inmates and have the charges deducted automatically from your prepaid account. The prepaid AdvanceConnect account puts you in control of your spending and ensures you can receive calls from Missouri correctional facilities.

This account offers you the following benefits:

  • The maximum funding amount is up to $50.00 per transaction.
  • You are able to receive inmate calls as long as funds are available in your account.
  • You can add multiple phone numbers to your account so your loved one can reach your home phone, work phone, cell phone, other relatives, neighbors, friends, etc.
  • Calls will connect to cell phones
  • You have 24/7/365 access to your account on the Securus website or by contacting them via phone.

You can fund your Advanced Connect account on the Securus website or by calling 1-800-844-6591. You also have the option of funding your phone account via Western Union.

Payments can easily be made in person using Western Union Quick Collect. The Receiver of the Quick Collect payment can be found under “Select Other Billers” and should be Securus.

  • Please follow the online prompts to complete the payment.
  • If you are not a registered user at Western Union, you will be asked to register.
  • Instructions on Using Western Union Payment Form

In the Payment Information section you will be asked for Pay To, Code City, and State:

  • Pay To: Securus
  • Code City: Securus
  • State: Texas

Please include your 6 or 7 digit Securus account number with your Western Union payment. If you are unsure of your Account number, please sign in or call Securus at 1-800-844-6591. To find a Western Union Agent location near you click here.

Direct Bill

A Direct Bill account allows you to receive collect calls from inmates and have the charges billed directly to you each month from Securus Correctional Billing Services (SCBS). This account is a good option if the inmate is incarcerated for longer than two years. With verification or approved credit, you can receive an itemized monthly bill statement from SCBS for your calls. This account offers you the following benefits:

  • Itemized monthly bill statement of call activity
  • You can receive all the calls you need to, up to your credit limit
  • You can add multiple phone numbers to your account to ensure you receive all your calls
  • Calls will connect to cell phones 
  • You are able to receive inmate calls as long as your bill is paid in full by the due date
  • No minimum payment amount
  • You have 24/7/365 access to your account on the Securus website or by contacting them via phone

The payment options for Direct Bill are the same as Advanced Connect. Please see above for information on how to fund your Direct Bill account.

Unwanted Calls

If you receive unwanted telephone calls from an inmate, you can follow the prompts on the phone to block future calls to your residence.

If you continue to receive calls, immediately contact the institution, providing as much information as possible. If the inmate can be identified through his or her PIN number, they will be directed to stop contacting you. If contact continues, the offender may face disciplinary action. 

For your protection, a recorded message is played throughout the telephone conversation that alerts you that the call is originating from a correctional facility. This message is not intended to annoy, but rather to alert outside parties to the fact that an offender originally placed the call.

Phone Blocks

While the institution can monitor and record calls, they hold no ability to place a block on outside telephones. The telephone company may place an automatic block on your phone if third party calls are detected or there is an unusual increase in your phone bill. To receive calls from a correctional center, you must contact Securus at www.securustech.net or 1-800-844-6591.

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