I am SO glad that I ran across this website! I don't even know HOW I ran across it but I'm glad I did. Anyways..this is my first time posting, so PLEASE bear with me if I've posted something that someone else has posted in the past. My best friend is confined at the USDB...and I can't for the life of me, try to figure out how to find an easier/cheaper way for him to be able to call me without it costing HIM his whole measly paycheck! (those of you with loved ones at the USDB KNOW what I am talking about!) It seems we talk for 20 minutes, and next thing we know, our time is up, and his check is gone! I don't mind paying for collect calls...but there seems to be some kind of problem. I made sure with MY phone company, that I dont have a collect call block on my line....I've even checked it....and had people call me collect to make sure that it works....so that he can call me collect....but when he tries to call me collect....he can't get through...he gets some recording saying his call cannot be completed....I've called my phone company several times, and they have assured me that the block is not on my end, but rather on the end of USDB.....?? He is able to call his mother collect without any problems, but why can't he call me collect? Does anyone know of any other way that He can call without wasting all of his money? I send him money as well, but if there is any other way I can make it cheaper for him to call, I'm all ears! Or if you know of some reason where there would be a block coming from his end....please let me know.

Thanks in advance!

lilmsnurse:confused:

lilms,
Hi, and welcome to PTO and the Military Forum. I know there are services that provide third-party phone services for inmates. There are postings on PTO about them. I looked into them when my son first went to USDB, but none of them seemed to be that much better, bottom-line wise, than my regular service. As to the problem with him being unable to call collect, if you have checked everything on your end and there is no solution, write to the USDB to have them check theirs. Or, have your friend make the request. It is possible there is some block in their system. The phone calls are expensive but I don't think I could make it without them. It is cheaper to send money for him to deposit on a phone account than it is to call collect, so keep that in mind. Hope you find out something and the problem is resolved soon.

~Lisa.

Lisa, when you send money orders, are they made out to anyone?

Yes. Make them payable to the inmate and be sure to include the inmate number on the money order. I have never had a problem with my son receiving the money orders. It takes a few days to get posted to the telephone account and if you send it anywhere near a 3 day weekend, it takes longer. Civil servants, gotta love 'em!

Keep the faith!

And no problems anymore...

Yeah, The Little B*****d Hasn't Called In 3 Weeks!!!!!!

I'm oversea,
is there anyone have experience with phone call with prison call onnline (in the USDB) company about the price?That service works good?
Thank you
Hootie