Post by thinkinkmesa on May 12, 2012 15:57:24 GMT -5
Updated 2018
As many of you know, at one time the only phone system available to use, was Global Tel Link aka GTL.
I still have nightmares of the billing of $25.00 for 15 minute collect calls. GTL (Also known as ConnectNetwork) now offers different ways to set up accounts, prepay, or the ability to deposit money to a phone card the inmate can purchase at commissary. (You can not send them one!)
If you are paying for long distance collect calls through GTL- this is what I suggest;
Google Voice is a free to use call forwarding service that many use as the minutes can cost less if you choose an area code close to the facility that your inmate is at.
Example; I chose a number with a 740 area code (Circleville Ohio) which was one of the cities close to the institution in Chillicothe Ohio.
Here is where you can find the information on the facility city or area code.
www.drc.ohio.gov/institutions
When I was setting up my google voice number; I opened and kept open, a separate tab and did a search for "cities near Chillicothe Ohio" which gave me this result and list of cities and area codes to reference while choosing my google voice number.
www.travelmath.com/cities-near/Chillicothe,+OH You would just change the city for your institution.
Create a gmail account; accounts.google.com/SignUp and then stay logged in while you create a Google Voice account.
(I do suggest you watch the video/link provided below.)
voice.google.com/about Choose; "I want a new number"
Once you have set up your gmail account, created a google voice number, on the top left hand side of the google voice page you will see "three bars".
Click on those bars and then click on "settings" from the toolbar that will open.
Then under "Settings" choose "Calls"
Then using your scroll function on the right hand side; scroll down to "Forward calls to linked numbers" and make sure your number is checked and showing up blue in color. (This step is not covered in the video link given below but has come from personal experience.)
Once you have your Google Voice number, you give that number to your inmate to submit for approval.
The prison phone system will then generate a number of verification phone calls the same as they do when using GTL.
Video that explains how to set up google voice number after you have created and logged into a gmail account.
youtu.be/sFFx8F7Fm9M
ConnectNetwork
web.connectnetwork.com/
Some notes on using ConnectNetwork formerly known as Offender Connect;
After creating an account you would use the number (example) A357869 to find your inmate in that system.
Inmate numbers can be found at;
ohiodeathrow.blogspot.com/
appgateway.drc.ohio.gov/OffenderSearch
The Offender Connect web platform changes the "A" to a "2" - so if you see the following after the search (example) 2357869 you have the correct inmate.
As many of you know, at one time the only phone system available to use, was Global Tel Link aka GTL.
I still have nightmares of the billing of $25.00 for 15 minute collect calls. GTL (Also known as ConnectNetwork) now offers different ways to set up accounts, prepay, or the ability to deposit money to a phone card the inmate can purchase at commissary. (You can not send them one!)
If you are paying for long distance collect calls through GTL- this is what I suggest;
Google Voice is a free to use call forwarding service that many use as the minutes can cost less if you choose an area code close to the facility that your inmate is at.
Example; I chose a number with a 740 area code (Circleville Ohio) which was one of the cities close to the institution in Chillicothe Ohio.
Here is where you can find the information on the facility city or area code.
www.drc.ohio.gov/institutions
When I was setting up my google voice number; I opened and kept open, a separate tab and did a search for "cities near Chillicothe Ohio" which gave me this result and list of cities and area codes to reference while choosing my google voice number.
www.travelmath.com/cities-near/Chillicothe,+OH You would just change the city for your institution.
Create a gmail account; accounts.google.com/SignUp and then stay logged in while you create a Google Voice account.
(I do suggest you watch the video/link provided below.)
voice.google.com/about Choose; "I want a new number"
Once you have set up your gmail account, created a google voice number, on the top left hand side of the google voice page you will see "three bars".
Click on those bars and then click on "settings" from the toolbar that will open.
Then under "Settings" choose "Calls"
Then using your scroll function on the right hand side; scroll down to "Forward calls to linked numbers" and make sure your number is checked and showing up blue in color. (This step is not covered in the video link given below but has come from personal experience.)
Once you have your Google Voice number, you give that number to your inmate to submit for approval.
The prison phone system will then generate a number of verification phone calls the same as they do when using GTL.
Video that explains how to set up google voice number after you have created and logged into a gmail account.
youtu.be/sFFx8F7Fm9M
ConnectNetwork
web.connectnetwork.com/
Some notes on using ConnectNetwork formerly known as Offender Connect;
After creating an account you would use the number (example) A357869 to find your inmate in that system.
Inmate numbers can be found at;
ohiodeathrow.blogspot.com/
appgateway.drc.ohio.gov/OffenderSearch
The Offender Connect web platform changes the "A" to a "2" - so if you see the following after the search (example) 2357869 you have the correct inmate.
