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PayTel Informative - Carrion-Eating Maggots - Telephone Communications with Jail Inmates
Telephone Communications with Jail Inmates
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA -- A family member was incarcerated months ago, I reluctantly established an account with Paytell because it was the ONLY way I was allowed to communicate with the family member. By the time they were released the PREPAID balance was down to $1.50.
The same individual was recently incarcerated again, I received one initial call, then nothing for about a week. I had no idea why, I was very worried the individual was extremely depressed.
Today, through a mutual acquaintance, I discovered Paytell had blocked my number - apparently because the balance on that old account was too low!
I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED, I HAD NO WAY TO CONTACT THE INCARCERATED INDIVIDUAL SO THEY COULD TELL ME.
This company lives on the misery of people. They add no value that could not be replaced by a midrange, modern PBX system. Their services are obsolete. They should be eliminated. County jails could replace every service they provide with low-cost phone systems. In spite of that, their company persists because of political connections.
Join me in writing to your state and federal representatives and demanding a complete review of their procedures, services, policies and PROFITABILITY.
The same individual was recently incarcerated again, I received one initial call, then nothing for about a week. I had no idea why, I was very worried the individual was extremely depressed.
Today, through a mutual acquaintance, I discovered Paytell had blocked my number - apparently because the balance on that old account was too low!
I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED, I HAD NO WAY TO CONTACT THE INCARCERATED INDIVIDUAL SO THEY COULD TELL ME.
This company lives on the misery of people. They add no value that could not be replaced by a midrange, modern PBX system. Their services are obsolete. They should be eliminated. County jails could replace every service they provide with low-cost phone systems. In spite of that, their company persists because of political connections.
Join me in writing to your state and federal representatives and demanding a complete review of their procedures, services, policies and PROFITABILITY.
Company Response:
We apologize for the frustration you have experienced with our company concerning your calls. We regret that we did not notify you of the low funds on your Pay Tel account; however when you set up your account on our website, you chose not to receive the weekly statements we send that show your available balance. We do have two options for you to check your available balance 24 hours a day; using the Automated Phone System or our website at www.paytel.com. After you accepted the call on 1/13 and used the remaining $1.50 you had on the account, the system blocked your account. If you had checked the balance using the Automated Phone System it would have explained that the account was blocked and you would need to add funds to your account to receive additional calls or you could have reviewed your account balance on line. Our records show you made a payment on January 13th for $25.00 and your account is fine to receive the collect calls. We regret this inconvenience and do offer our apologies. We would hope you realize that it is never our intent to prevent people from receiving and paying for calls as that is how we make our living. In the future, if we fail to meet your needs, you can email a manager at CustomerRelations@paytel.com and your request will be addressed the same day. Thank you. Customer Relations
Comments:
Posted by Ghost of Doc J on 2009-01-13:
Very helpful post. Families of incarcerated persons are cautioned to watch out if the inmate suddenly ceases communication with them. Depression tops the list of possibilities. IMHO...these 'inmate' telecommunications companies should be banned. They won't. The lawmakers and officials make too much money in kickbacks and other perks when they award these scumbucket companies a license to steal from the families of jailed people.
Posted by justcuz3993 on 2009-01-13:
Does anyone know, are inmates allowed to use prepaid calling cards? If yes, seems like a much better option then these so called phone companies we hear so many complaints about.
Posted by zzrokk on 2009-01-13:
Yes, they can. Some places allow them to purchase the cards inside and another advantage is that they can make calls to cell phones.
Posted by Ghost of Doc J on 2009-01-13:
JC - No, calling cards are not permitted. In jail, they would be like currency that inmates could use to pay for contraband and settle gambling debts. Used to be, inmates called family members (on prison approved lists) 'collect'. The phone companies hated it and it was extra work for the prison staff. These 'inmate' telecom outfits solved both problems...and the families of inmates pay for it.
Posted by zzrokk on 2009-01-13:
I beg to differ, Doc. I know in Denver County Jail you can.
Posted by Ghost of Doc J on 2009-01-13:
I stand corrected, by zz. Perhaps a few do allow them and then keep the cards in the commisary records?
Posted by zzrokk on 2009-01-13:
I had a friend that would call me using another inmate's card. So what you said does make sense.
Posted by justcuz3993 on 2009-01-13:
That's what I was thinking too, Doc. Even if they were locked up, it's easy to memorize the card info.
What happened to just calling collect? Course if you're like me and don't have a home phone you can't accept collect calls on a cell phone.
What happened to just calling collect? Course if you're like me and don't have a home phone you can't accept collect calls on a cell phone.
Posted by Ghost of Doc J on 2009-01-13:
Ya know, this has me wondering why a jail couldn't sell GoPhones or TracPhones in the commissary. They cost about $15 and about $20 more for an hour or more of talk time. The phone would be kept with the inmate's personal property when he/she's not using it. With the GoPhone, all of the call data stays on a removable chip. So the family or inmate could sell the used phone back to the commissary for reselling to another inmate when their family member is released.
Posted by Ghost of Doc J on 2009-01-13:
Oh gawd...I can hear the reaction from the "toss 'em in jail and let 'em rot" bunch..."Yer gonna give prisoners cell phones?"
Posted by zzrokk on 2009-01-13:
They sell TV's. They are pretty cool looking......The whole thing is encased in clear plastic to help prevent inmates from hiding things in them.
Posted by Face to Face on 2009-01-13:
yeah well "that bunch" still only believes hardcore criminals land themselves in jail....they have no clue
Posted by justcuz3993 on 2009-01-13:
Pre-paid phones is a great idea!!
Posted by Ghost of Doc J on 2009-01-13:
Exactly right, Crash. It's easier to get tossed into jail in America than it is in some third-world countries. I saw a statistic saying, by 2050, 25% of the American population will have been a 'guest' in a jail or prison.
America has its own gulags.
America has its own gulags.
Posted by zzrokk on 2009-01-13:
Doc......No! (regarding the cell phones)
Posted by Ghost of Doc J on 2009-01-13:
LOL JC...I can see some corrections official reading this and thinking about buying $15 GoPhones and then reselling them to inmates for $100. Sadder, there are folks who would see nothing wrong with it.
Posted by zzrokk on 2009-01-13:
The penal system is one of the fasting growing businesses going and obviously is recession proof as well!
Posted by justcuz3993 on 2009-01-13:
No, that wasn't a corrections official thinking that, that was me, and I was going to split the profits with you! LOL
Posted by TheNewSheriff on 2009-01-13:
Before you know it, inmates will be drinking Schlitz beer and eating Indi's chicken!
Posted by Ghost of Doc J on 2009-01-13:
Zactly right zz. The 'economic plan' for many dying, feces-hole towns is to build a prison. Of course there's never a problem keeping them full since nobody can reasonably oppose 'law and order'. But, they never see it for what it is...profiting off of someone elses misery.
Posted by Ghost of Doc J on 2009-01-13:
Never happen, Sheriff. There are Constitutional protections that prohibit cruel and unusual punishment. "Schlitz" is what you get after a night of drinking their beer.
Posted by zzrokk on 2009-01-13:
You got it, Doc.
Sheriff, a cold Schlitz and a "spicy keel" sounds pretty good about now!
Sheriff, a cold Schlitz and a "spicy keel" sounds pretty good about now!
Posted by zzrokk on 2009-01-13:
Doc, too bad that you missed The Sheriff and I debating over the changing (cheapening) of the ingredients in Schlitz.
It was good beer until the changeover in the 70's. Well, at least I thought so when I got to open my Dad's Schlitz.
Sheriff and I duked it out over the change until I finally brought him to his knees with facts! Right Sheriff? *LOL*
It was good beer until the changeover in the 70's. Well, at least I thought so when I got to open my Dad's Schlitz.
Sheriff and I duked it out over the change until I finally brought him to his knees with facts! Right Sheriff? *LOL*
Posted by Ghost of Doc J on 2009-01-13:
Just seeing 'Schlitz' printed on my screen makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. Drinking it warm, to accompany a slimey bowl of GI stew many years ago ruined me on it forever. And I could stomach Pearl and Lone Star at home.
Posted by zzrokk on 2009-01-13:
Pearl? Never heard of that one.
"Champale" does that for me.
"Champale" does that for me.
Posted by TheNewSheriff on 2009-01-13:
Right zz!
Posted by Ghost of Doc J on 2009-01-13:
Pearl is an old Texas brew...the Blatz of the South.
Posted by old fart on 2009-01-13:
Blatz beer was squirrel pi$$
Posted by zzrokk on 2009-01-13:
Oh, and Doc don't get me started on the time that The Sheriff, came on here complaining about being sold some Super Bowl tickets that was for one that had been played three years prior!
Boy, did he get some flack over that one! *tears*
Boy, did he get some flack over that one! *tears*
Posted by superbowl on 2009-01-13:
Pearl Beer, used to see that stuff in Texas, have no idea if they still make it or not.
Posted by TheNewSheriff on 2009-01-13:
old fart, Blatz was also "beer-of-the-month" @ $4.00 case. I drank it and other beers-of-the-month. That's less than 17-cents per beer, btw.
Posted by TheNewSheriff on 2009-01-13:
zz, you'd better cut that out!
Posted by Ghost of Doc J on 2009-01-13:
The Sheriff thought he made a wise purchase...he had seen that game and didn't thing his team would lose it again. Alas...Pearl is no more and is long gone. And Lone Star was bought out in the late 1990s by either Budweiser or Miller and that label is gone too. OF...you are right...and it was from squirrels with bladder infections.
Posted by old fart on 2009-01-13:
Was Blatz "the beer that made Milwaukee famous"..??
Couldn't prove it by me....
Couldn't prove it by me....
Posted by Ghost of Doc J on 2009-01-13:
OF that was "Old Milwaukee" another gut wrenching brew.
Posted by old fart on 2009-01-13:
Maybe worse than Blatz was "Iron City"...booogily shyt..
Posted by justcuz3993 on 2009-01-13:
ya'll are making me wish I had a pint of Moose Drool right about now!
Posted by Ghost of Doc J on 2009-01-13:
Iron City sounds familiar...New York or Pennsylvania brew? Not to confuse Old Milwaukee with another fine ale...Milwaukee's Best.
Posted by old fart on 2009-01-13:
Doc... I believe it was from Pittsburg... evil stuff.... believe it or not, it tasted rusty...
Posted by old fart on 2009-01-13:
Sebewaing beer was a local Michigan brew that had a pheasant on the label... naturally everyone called it "pheasant pi$$".. which was pretty accurate..
Posted by old fart on 2009-01-13:
When I think of the Hog swill I imbibed before I figured I was an alky, it makes me wonder how I survived..
Posted by Ghost of Doc J on 2009-01-13:
The most notorious beer brewed was '33' (also called Bammeebam) There's a Vietnamese eatery in town. They serve the stuff. I took a trip down memory lane and ordered one. The American version doesn't contain formaldehyde and the bottles no longer look like B40 rockets. I felt cheated.
Posted by zzrokk on 2009-01-13:
According to Google, Schlitz was "the beer that made Milwakee famous".
Anyone for a Schaefer?
Hamms?
Anyone for a Schaefer?
Hamms?
Posted by Ghost of Doc J on 2009-01-13:
I know OF...I drank a lot of these brands when I couldn't afford Sterno.
Posted by old fart on 2009-01-13:
That bites..!!! NO FORMALDEHYDE..???
Posted by old fart on 2009-01-13:
LOL Doc... I just gave you a "best answer"...
Posted by Ghost of Doc J on 2009-01-13:
Thanks zz!! That's twice in one day...there will not be a third.
Carling's Black Label...I remember how my Pappy sang their jingle:
(Whistles) "Mable! Get off the table. That two bucks is for beer."
Carling's Black Label...I remember how my Pappy sang their jingle:
(Whistles) "Mable! Get off the table. That two bucks is for beer."
Posted by Ghost of Doc J on 2009-01-13:
OF: Thanks for the BA...I'll put it with the other two. LOL Jeez...I feel bad now...we've completely hijacked this post...and it was a good one.
Posted by Ghost of Doc J on 2009-01-13:
Hamms? *tom-toms beating*
"From the land of sky-blue waters..."
"From the land of sky-blue waters..."
Posted by Starlord on 2009-01-13:
This began as a post about how the poor downtrodden inmates' families are being scammed on phone calls. Nothing has ever been said about the blocked pay phones that some jails used to have, (phones where you could only make collect calls, which, of course, since there was no dial, you had to give the number to an operator) the life span of one of these phones, which totally belonged to a private company, was about two weeks. I could not hazard a guess as to the phone's cost, but I saw them replaced very often after the inmates destroyed them.
Posted by Ghost of Doc J on 2009-01-13:
Starlord...the same thing happened to pay phones in my high school. Not sure how it was solved. But something makes me think it wasn't with rubber hoses.
Posted by gork_boneman on 2009-01-13:
Paytell owns phones placed in the jails, they can only call out through Paytell. This is a racket. I am beginning a new "hobby" today - that is to reform this racket. I will post what candidates and office holders received donations from officers of the company, who chose Paytell in each city and county jail, etc. etc.
Update - I called the Wake County North Carolina Jail today and was told by the cop on duty that inmates cannot make phone calls without doing business with Paytell. I asked for their supervisor - he told me the same thing.
Email, write and call city, county and state public officials and ask them why Paytell has a monopoly on this high-traffic business.
Update - I called the Wake County North Carolina Jail today and was told by the cop on duty that inmates cannot make phone calls without doing business with Paytell. I asked for their supervisor - he told me the same thing.
Email, write and call city, county and state public officials and ask them why Paytell has a monopoly on this high-traffic business.
Posted by zzrokk on 2009-01-13:
What, are you incarcerated? They are in JAIL not the HILTON! There are much bigger concerns in the penal system besides phone services!
Posted by Ghost of Doc J on 2009-01-13:
There ya go, gork boneman!!! That is how it is done. Few people on the outside know about these scams that abuse the families of inmates.
LOL zz. That's just bad. Don't make me go get Basher.
LOL zz. That's just bad. Don't make me go get Basher.
Posted by jktshff1 on 2009-01-13:
long story short. "The same individual was recently incarcerated again"...ON MY TAX DOLLARS...I am sorry but I really don't care if you can "live talk" or get screwed by the phone company. At least by contract the taxpayer is getting something out of the jerks incarceration.
Send a letter.
Send a letter.
Posted by jktshff1 on 2009-01-13:
gork, who cares? Paytell, global whatever and all the other "inmate call companies" can make what they want. More taxpaying jobs to help pay for the twits behind bar that don't contribute anything.
Posted by Ghost of Doc J on 2009-01-13:
jkt...Jails are full of people who have not yet been convicted. A lot of them have been arrested (big difference) and cannot post bail. And, believe it or not, innocent people get convicted too. Bottom line...the family is innocent and is trying to participate in the inmate's rehabilitation. Why punish them? But, I'm okay if we disagree.
Posted by zzrokk on 2009-01-13:
Gork, let's just hope that dude is alright in jail. Many good men have gone to jail 'b1tchin' and came out 'switchin'!
Send him letters and try to visit when you can. Good luck to the BOTH of you!
Send him letters and try to visit when you can. Good luck to the BOTH of you!
Posted by jktshff1 on 2009-01-13:
Yea it's ok to disagree as long as we can be civil. Like I told my son, if you get arrested, don't call me. If you are innocent, you probably deserve it for something you did not get caught doing, and it has happened and he did not call me. Lesson learned.
The companies and the system are not responsible for "punishing" families. The perp is, by putting them in that position. Passing the blame, buck or whatever you want to call it ain't right.
Our system ain't perfect, but I haven't found another system I would rather be under.
Like I said, I am sorry that someone they love has got them in the position they are in, but I really don't care, put the blame where it lies. If no one took drugs, there would not be a drug problem. See my point?
The companies and the system are not responsible for "punishing" families. The perp is, by putting them in that position. Passing the blame, buck or whatever you want to call it ain't right.
Our system ain't perfect, but I haven't found another system I would rather be under.
Like I said, I am sorry that someone they love has got them in the position they are in, but I really don't care, put the blame where it lies. If no one took drugs, there would not be a drug problem. See my point?
Posted by financiallyfit on 2009-01-13:
If people didn't commit crimes (two and three times over in some cases), this wouldn't be an issue. Jail is jail for a reason - making calls from prison should be a privilege,not a right. Sorry, but I think the time you spend trying to reform this 'racket' could be better spent trying to reform the prisoner.
Posted by zzrokk on 2009-01-13:
Teenagers and young adults use poor judgement at times so a little compassion may be what is needed but when you get in your 30's and older, I have little sympathy.
As far as drug abuse, violence and other anti social behaviors go, if people were just mere HUMAN BEINGS then yes it would be a perfect world.
JKT, aren't we being a tad too simplistic?
As far as drug abuse, violence and other anti social behaviors go, if people were just mere HUMAN BEINGS then yes it would be a perfect world.
JKT, aren't we being a tad too simplistic?
Posted by Nohandle on 2009-01-13:
I wish our member Dorcas would come on board. We've not heard from her in a long while. She was retired from the prison system and could explain, back a year or more ago, part of the reason for the high rates for telephone calls. I'm trying to refresh my memory but at that time someone had to monitor the calls since most were not loving calls to family members trying to keep in touch. Would someone knowledgable on the subject tell the other members exactly what's going on?
Posted by Principissa on 2009-01-13:
Nohandle, my sisters ex boyfriend works as a guard in juvenile detention and he said, that at least for the juveniles, those calls are still monitored. Every call made and received is monitored by a third party. I guess the same would go for the adults as well? This is in NJ though so it may be different somewhere else.
Posted by jktshff1 on 2009-01-13:
zz, I just don't know another way to put it and I do believe it is simple PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY. These folk's loved ones get in trouble and they expect everybody to believe that it's the systems fault. Blame anyone for the problems they are having except the one responsible and you can bet there is some bleeding heart "Dr" that will try to reinforce it.
Call it cold blooded or whatever, I have no sympathy whatsoever for someone in jail.
Kinda like what I've told my kids for 35 yrs, I am sorry you made me whip your but or whatever, but I am not sorry I did it.
Call it cold blooded or whatever, I have no sympathy whatsoever for someone in jail.
Kinda like what I've told my kids for 35 yrs, I am sorry you made me whip your but or whatever, but I am not sorry I did it.
Posted by Principissa on 2009-01-13:
It's socialism. It's not the criminals fault he robbed the bank, either the bank should have known and been closed that day or someone should have given him the money he needed. Yea I went there. The idea of this country turning socialist is making me ill.
Posted by zzrokk on 2009-01-13:
Fact: All calls are recorded but not necessarily monitored full time. Besides, you can talk in code.
Fact: Inmates find ways to circumvent (sp?) the phone system. I had a friend that worked the switchboard at the county jail as an inmate. She and I would talk frequently everyday.
Fact: If Dorcas is the member that I am thinking about then we had a big dispute over how there are dirty C.O.s that bring in contraband and will do things for certain inmates. Oh,the stories I could tell!
Fact: People are human and make mistakes. Especially youngsters. That doesn't mean that I am excusing them, though.
Fact: Inmates find ways to circumvent (sp?) the phone system. I had a friend that worked the switchboard at the county jail as an inmate. She and I would talk frequently everyday.
Fact: If Dorcas is the member that I am thinking about then we had a big dispute over how there are dirty C.O.s that bring in contraband and will do things for certain inmates. Oh,the stories I could tell!
Fact: People are human and make mistakes. Especially youngsters. That doesn't mean that I am excusing them, though.
Posted by zzrokk on 2009-01-13:
Socialism? Do you know what that means? You do the crime you do the time, okay?
Princi, have you been drinking the Cooking Sherry again?
Princi, have you been drinking the Cooking Sherry again?
Posted by Principissa on 2009-01-13:
It's the vapo rub and fever.
And yes I know what socialism is silly. I gradiated from public hi skool!! :)
And yes I know what socialism is silly. I gradiated from public hi skool!! :)
Posted by Stew on 2009-01-13:
"If you are innocent, you probably deserve it for something you did not get caught doing" -- Wow, that's kind of scary.
Great answers zzrokk! If the MAN would give me the right to vote you'd get my 'Best Answer' vote.
Great answers zzrokk! If the MAN would give me the right to vote you'd get my 'Best Answer' vote.
Posted by MissMarple on 2009-01-13:
I think the crabman needs to sign up for the field trip.
Posted by zzrokk on 2009-01-13:
Crabs, it ain't the man that is oppressing you it's your brain, my brotha.
I hear you, Princi. Careful with that "Vicks" kid!
I hear you, Princi. Careful with that "Vicks" kid!
Posted by Stew on 2009-01-13:
zzrokk -- Can you ever go an entire review without flame baiting? Good grief.
Posted by zzrokk on 2009-01-13:
Where did I bait?! You totally missed my sarcasm, dude.
Posted by dianec1 on 2009-01-13:
Hey, I've stayed out of jail so far. We are all just a smidgeon away from being thrown in a cell if someone wants to bad enough. Here in Singapore, if you are caught with any amount of cocaine or heroin, it's the death penalty. No questions asked. Now, I don't condone these particular drugs, but, come on, not even one second chance? I guess they don't believe in "mistakes".
Posted by jktshff1 on 2009-01-14:
Crabby, yea it is kinda scary, but it worked with my kid and that's really all I care about.
Posted by AMBER on 2013-03-13:
can anyone tell me something... If I made an account today to talk to my boyfriend but didn't have the money to put on the account yet, and I don't talk to my boyfriend on the jail phone, is paytel still gonna charge me? and what about when he gets out of jail.. and I don't use paytel anymore are they still gonna charge me a monthly fee?
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