Inmate telephone system information

Saskatchewan Adult Corrections is implementing a new Inmate Telephone System in the four secure custody correctional facilities;

• Saskatoon Correctional Centre
• Prince Albert Correctional Centre
• Regina Correctional Centre
• Pine Grove Correctional Centre

The ability to gather and effectively use information related to offenders is critical to the safe operation of correctional facilities. The new telephone system will better protect victims and the public from unwanted, and/or harassing telephone calls from inmates as well as provide corrections staff with tools to reduce the potential for fraudulent and illegal telephone use. Often, information about offenders' associates and activities can be used to reduce incidents and illegal activities inside the facility and in the community.

Customer Service Toll Free Number: 1-866-713-4761

Calling an inmate:

• The system allows outgoing calls only. 
• The public may call 1-866-713-4761 to leave a personal voicemail for an inmate at a nominal charge.

Types of calls:

• Inmates can make collect calls. Collect calls are billed on the called party's monthly telephone bill. Collect calls incur a bill rendering fee for the recipient, in addition to the charges for the call.
• Inmates may also have money deposited into a prepaid telephone account. Making a prepaid call is less expensive than making a collect call.

Talk times:

• The phones are programmed for a maximum call duration of 20 minutes. The inmate/called party will receive a 1-minute warning before the call time limit is reached and the call is cut off.

Blocking a call:

• A recorded message will announce the inmate's name and facility, the type of call-collect, prepaid- and that the call will be recorded. The caller will be prompted to accept or reject the call by pressing a key on their touch tone phone. 
• The public may call 1-866-713-4761 for assistance in blocking or unblocking their phone number.

Obtaining an inmate's PIN number:

• Inmates should provide their PIN to those who will require it in order to deposit money into their prepaid accounts or leave them a voicemail.
• An inmate's PIN can also be obtained from the receptionist at the correctional centre

Depositing money in an inmate's prepaid telephone account:

• Family members and friends can also deposit funds into an inmate's telephone account at kiosks located in some facilities, by cash or credit card, or through a secure online webpage - www.telmate.ca 
  • Purchasing Prepaid Telephone time is subject to PST and GST.
  • Reimbursement of money in an inmate's prepaid phone account can be arranged by contacting Customer Service.
• Deposits can be made at any kiosk regardless of the location of the inmate, including different provinces (Alberta & Saskatchewan only). For example, deposits can be made at the Calgary kiosk for an inmate located in Regina.
• The person depositing funds to an inmate's account will require the inmate's PIN number. After entering the PIN number, the kiosk will display the name of the inmate to confirm. 
• Prepaid funds are registered in the inmate's account immediately and a voicemail is sent to the inmate to notify him/her of the funds.

Types of calls and charges:

Local Collect:	$1.85 per call for up to 20 minutes (flat rate)
Local Prepaid/Debit:	$1.35 per call for up to 20 minutes (flat rate)
Long Distance Collect:	$1.50 connect fee + $0.30 per minute
Long Distance Prepaid/Debit:	$1.00 connect fee + $0.30 per minute
Leaving a Voicemail:	$1.00 each

Collect calls also are charged a bill rendering fee of up to $0.45 per call

Billing for a call only begins when the parties are connected. Per minute charges are rounded up to the next full minute.

3 way calls:

• Three way calling will not be permitted. All offenders will be blocked from dialing phone numbers that are confirmed to have facilitated a three way call.

Contacting Customer Service:

• The public may call Telmate Customer Service at 1-866-713-4761 for assistance. Telmate Customer Service is staffed 7 am to midnight Monday through Friday and 9 am to midnight weekends and US holidays. At other times, calls will be answered by an answering service, or the caller can go through Interactive Voice Help.