Phone calls

All prisoner phone calls are carefully monitored and recorded except those made to the numbers on the Common Access Numbers list.

Mobile phones

Mobile phones are not allowed in prison. They will be taken from the prisoner during the admission process. The phone and other banned items will be held in storage for two weeks. Prisoners must organise these items to be collected. If they are not collected in time they will be disposed of.

Intervention orders and barred numbers

If there is an intervention order restricting contact with a person then their number will be barred on the phone system. This could be set for a prisoner or the whole prison. There are barred numbers that will not be accepted on a prisoner's list.

Telephone account

Prisoners are allowed one phone call at the end of the admission process. After this time prisoners will need a telephone account before they can call anybody else.

Account set up

Prisoners can have a maximum of 10 numbers.

Prisoners should list the name of the person and their relationship with them. Legal numbers and support groups are included in prisoners list of 10 authorised numbers.

Legal numbers will be verified. There are certain barred numbers that will not be accepted on a prisoners account.

Using their account

After the form has been completed the prisoners numbers will be authorised and entered into the telephone system.

This may take up to 24 hours. Once verified a prisoner will be able to make authorised phone calls to loved ones. A credit of $1 will be credited to a prisoners account when they are first admitted.

If a prisoner is transferred to another prison the contact list will transfer with them.

Paying for phone calls

Prisoners can transfer money from their prisoner account to their telephone account. This can be set up to happen weekly or monthly.

The telephone account can also be topped up. Prisoners can change the numbers listed by requesting the form from their case officer. Prisoners can also change their PIN number.

Changing details or numbers

Prisoners can change the numbers listed by requesting the form from their case officer or unit staff. Numbers can be substituted but prisoners are unable to have more than 10 numbers of their contact list.

The Common Access Numbers List

DCS keeps a list of numbers that are not monitored and recorded.

These include:

  • support services – such as Child Support and Centrelink
  • complaint services –  such as the Ombudsman and the DCS Prisoner Complaints Line
  • health support services – such as Hepatitis SA.

These numbers are already entered into the telephone system and are accessed by a quick dial code.

Calling a number

To make call prisoners must have money in their telephone account. When the prisoner calls a number the recipient will get a recorded message asking if they want to accept the call. The calls are normally limited to 10 minutes.

Emergencies

In some circumstances an officer can make and ‘officer assisted call’ on a prisoners behalf. Prisoners should ask the officer for the form which will need to be authorised and approved.

The officer will dial the number and speak first, asking a few questions and ensure that the person on the end is the intended recipient.

Privacy

All prisoner telephones are in common public areas in the units.

Getting phone calls

No one can call a prisoner without approval. If someone calls for a prisoner, a message can be taken on the prisoner's behalf and then passed along as soon as practical.