Inmate Phone Service Providers Info & Materials
Inmate Phone Service (IPS)
Inmate Phone Service providers must obtain a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to provide Inmate Phone Service from the Alabama Public Service Commission prior to offering to bid or provide their services to confinement institutions in the State of Alabama.
Alabama Public Service Commission rulemaking Docket 15957 dated March 3, 2009, sets forth the rates and requirements for Inmate Phone Service providers. Certified Inmate Phone Service providers must file a tariff with the commission that sets forth the services provided and the rates for those services.
Inmate Phone Service is telephone service provided to correctional institutions for use by inmates in making automated collect, outward bound only calls to individuals that agree to accept and pay for the calls. An institution is any type of confinement or correctional facility such as a prison, county or municipal jail, work release center, or youth detention center.
The Inmate Phone Service provider must ensure that a positive response from the called party indicating a willingness to pay for the call is received before that call is completed. If the called party does not accept the call, the call must be immediately terminated and no charges shall be assessed. The called party may request rate quotes prior to accepting the call. The maximum time limit for calls is determined by the governing authority of the institution.
The called party may request that their number be blocked from receiving inmate calls by contacting the provider of the Inmate Phone Service via the provider’s toll-free number or by contacting the institution where calls originate.
Inmate Phone Service is a privilege and the use of the service may be restricted or denied by the governing authority of the institution. Inmates may not talk to live operators, dial toll-free numbers, access 211, 411, 911 or other service numbers. Inmates may not receive inbound calls or place person-to-person calls and are not allowed access to calling features such as call-forwarding or three-way calling.
For questions concerning Inmate Phone Service you may call the Alabama Public Service Commission toll-free at 1-800-882-3919.
Inmate Calling Service Orders
February 9, 2016 Order
December 9, 2014 Order (updated version thru June 12, 2015)
June 12, 2015 Order Implementing Revised Rates/Fees Effective July 1, 2015
January 16, 2015 Temporary Stay of Order and Amendments to December 9, 2014 Order
December 9, 2014 Inmate Calling Service Order
July 7, 2014 Inmate Calling Service Order
Inmate Calling Service Supporting Documents
CALL DATA REPORT INSTRUCTIONS Call Data 2017
Call Data 2016 Call Data 2015 Call Data 2014 Call Data 2013
Inmate Telephone Service Providers
Inmate Phone Service Access Line & Instrument Report
Application for Amended Certification to Provide Inmate Telephone Service in Alabama
Application for Certification to Provide Inmate Telephone Service in Alabama
Proposed Inmate Phone Service Tariff