Legitimate prison and jail staff will never call you to request payment for an inmate's services or release. Do not provide any personal financial information or send money to anyone who contacts you unsolicited regarding an inmate.
Most prisons use specific vendors to handle inmate calling. If you accidentally pressed a digit (often "9" or "7") during a call to block future communication, you must contact these providers directly to remove the restriction.
Find out which company manages the facility's phones. The most common providers include Securus Technologies, GTL (ViaPath Technologies), ICSolutions, and PayTel. how to unblock a prison call
Depending on why your number was blocked, you may need to take additional steps:
How to Unblock a Prison Call: A Complete Guide to Restoring Contact Legitimate prison and jail staff will never call
To unblock a prison call, you must identify whether the block is on your personal device , with your service provider , or within the prison’s phone system 1. Check Your Device and Carrier
Do you know which (like Securus or GTL) the facility uses, or are you still trying to identify the company ? If you accidentally pressed a digit (often "9"
Jails and prisons frequently revoke phone privileges as a disciplinary measure for rule infractions. If an inmate is placed in administrative segregation or disciplinary lockdown, their access to the phones will be temporarily suspended. These blocks lift automatically once the disciplinary period ends. Summary Checklist for Quick Resolution Action Item Target System Expected Outcome Vendor App (Securus/GTL) Eliminates financial blocks Verify virtual numbers Phone Settings Confirms standard SIM card line usage Disable Call Waiting Carrier Network Prevents accidental 3-way call triggers Submit phone bill Facility Administration Proves number ownership for approved lists
Most facilities require inmates to submit a formal "Inmate Telephone List" (often limited to 10–15 numbers). If your number is not on this approved list, or if it has not yet passed the background check, the system blocks the call.