MI Phone Help Needed how can I save money?

[Lost_Heart]

I am new to all of this and need a lot of help. My boyfriend got found guilty of a crime and is currently at Oakland County Jail in Michigan. He called me collect the first two nights he was in jail and that cost me $9.99 for 5 min then the phone hung up. I set up my cell phone through Correctional Billing Services (CBS) yesterday and set-up a pre-paid account. He called me last night and we talked for 12 min and it cost me $13.78. I read about Jpay but I don’t think we can set that up until he gets sentenced and goes to prison. He said that may take a while because he will stay in the county jail where he is now until his sentencing date (Feb. 25th) then he will go to Charles Egeler Reception Center (quarantine) and that may take upwards to a month or longer or until a bed opens up at a prison somewhere. I was just wanting to know the cheapest way to receive phone calls for him. I would like him to call me at least one time a day every day I live to hear the sound of his voice. He’s only been in county jail for a week now but a day without him is too long. He’s facing a 4-10 year sentence. I do not have a land line/house phone so he will need to call my cell phone and I don’t plan on changing my number I would like to keep it the same but I’m in TN and he’s in MI. Thanks for all of your help.

[Lions Heart]

There really isn't anything that can be done while he is in county to make the calls cheaper if you want to keep your number. Once he goes to a prison the calls will be much cheaper. It is only $0.15 per minute +tax for out of state calls. Unfortuanately you will just have to endure the higher prices while he is in county.

Good Luck!

[dbaby91]

Here's what I did. I had a similar situation with my man. We were here in Florida when we went to Detroit to see his family (bad idea) and all hell broke loose! Horrible to have this happen on vacation! So I'm stuck in Florida and he's in Michigan. I didn't want to change my numbers either so I got a magic jack (I think they are around $40) when they came out and hooked it into my computer. You don't have to have a land line for it - just forward the called from it to your cell phone. I have never had a problem with it since we got it when it came out a few years back. It saves me a TON of $$$!!! We would be paying a lot more! Once he gets into prison the prices go down. My husband can call my regular numbers with the 904 area code for $2 and some change direct so it will get better. But to me, the amount that we talk, it just made sense. I just got a Detroit area code and now I have one for my cell and house and it works perfect. Hope that helps!!

dbaby91

[Lions Heart]

I have a magic jack also but it only works with my computer on and I don't leave it on so that doesn't work.

Forwarding the phone is against MDOC policy and if it is discovered he will lose his phone privileges for some time.

[dbaby91]

Originally Posted by Lions Heart

I have a magic jack also but it only works with my computer on and I don't leave it on so that doesn't work.

Forwarding the phone is against MDOC policy and if it is discovered he will lose his phone privileges for some time.

Oh, well, my magic jack works no matter if my computer is on or not. It's out in cyberspace. I never mess with that line. It goes to my same phone it always has and we've had it for years. I'm pretty sure it would be almost impossible to figure out unless I was forwarding it to other people. I don't do that though. So I don't recommend anyone doing anything against policy - but for us out of state people it really helps keep costs down!!! It works for me - but maybe not for everyone... Just trying to help!!!

[Lost_Heart]

He called last night a 15 min phone call was $20.97 I hope when he leaves County and goes to prison it gets cheaper!

[daddasboo]

Originally Posted by Lost_Heart

He called last night a 15 min phone call was $20.97 I hope when he leaves County and goes to prison it gets cheaper!

hi lostheart i have a good feeling that if you got a cell phone and a mi area code your calls will be much cheaper

[pinay19]

my husband is in wayne county jail and i am in Canada. I set up a prepaid account for him using PCS inmate prepaid account. It charge $7.50 for 15 mins. He calls straight from my cellphone.I suggest you check what phone company they use in that jail, google it or call to inquire.It is much cheaper to use prepaid rather than collect calls.

[Lost_Heart]

What phone system does Charles Egeler use? Thanks!

[SRM2688]

Originally Posted by Lost_Heart

What phone system does Charles Egeler use? Thanks!

Do you mean like what phone service do we use to set up an account to receive calls?... If thats what you mean then its CBS (Correctional Billing Service) It's $1.91 for 15 minutes. The phone number is 800-844-6591

[prisoners mom]

I have magic jack too,and my son has a prepaid phone card . He pays $1.50 to call me.He hasn't been able to call me since we moved from Onaway to Cheboygan and we just can't figure out why. Magicjack used to take the call and I'd get that recorded message we all get so I knew it was him calling,but since we moved I don't even get THAT! it just doesn't ring through here.He says the problem isn't on his end cuz he'd get a message as soon as he dials the number and he doesn't get anything. can anyone give me an idea what's wrong? Oh and his brother gave him my cellphone number over a week ago and he still hasn't called.

[prisoners mom]

oh I forgot to say he calls his brother's cell phone in Nebraska with no problem .Everyone else is calling me on the magicjack ,he's the only one not getting through.Can anyone give me an idea what to do?