Merced County Main Jail Facility Inmate Phone & Email

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Phone Calls at Merced County Main Jail Facility: How They Work

People held at Merced County Main Jail Facility can call out to family and friends, but nobody can call in to them. Calls go through a company called GTL, now part of ViaPath. The easiest way to stay in touch is to set up a prepaid phone account. Then your loved one can call your number whenever they have phone time. Calls are cheap compared to most jails: 5 cents a minute anywhere in the U.S.

The basics: who can call whom

  • Only outgoing calls. Your loved one can call you. You cannot call them, and you cannot leave them a voicemail.
  • Phones are in the living unit. People share the phones on their tier or dorm and can use them each day, when their unit is allowed out.
  • First calls after arrest. After being booked in, a new arrival gets some free minutes to call family, friends or a lawyer, local or long distance. This is often the call that tells you where they are.
  • After that, someone pays. Most calls are paid from a prepaid account that family or friends set up for their own phone number.

Waiting for a call? If your loved one was just arrested, it can take many hours before they are booked in and can reach a phone. To check whether they are in the jail, call 209-385-7410 or search at https://inmateinquiry.co.merced.ca.us/newworld.inmateinquiry/merced

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Set up a prepaid account, step by step

A prepaid account is money you put in ahead of time so calls to your phone number can go through. It works for a cell phone, a home phone or an international number.

  1. Go to GTL's family website, called ConnectNetwork: web.connectnetwork.com. Or call GTL any time, day or night, at 1-877-650-4249.
  2. Create an account with your name, email and the phone number you want your loved one to call.
  3. Pick the jail: Cook County Department of Corrections in Illinois.
  4. Add money with a debit or credit card. Payment choices are listed on the payment options page.
  5. Tell your loved one the number is set up. When they call, a recording will tell you the call is from the jail. Follow the prompts to accept it.
  6. Keep money in the account. When it runs out, their calls to you won't connect until you add more.

Tip: Each phone number needs its own account. If you want calls on both your cell and your home phone, set up both.

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How much calls cost

  • Calls within California or anywhere in the U.S.: 5 cents a minute. A 15-minute call is 75 cents.
  • Calls to Mexico or Canada: 8 cents a minute
  • Calls to any other country: 13 cents a minute

These are the Sheriff's posted rates. The website may also show payment fees when you add money, so check before you pay.

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Rules every caller should know

Calls are recorded

Every call is recorded and can be listened to by the Sheriff's Office. Prosecutors can use what is said on jail calls in court. Do not talk about the case on the phone. Save that for the lawyer.

Calls with a lawyer

A person in custody has the right to talk privately with their attorney. A regular call to a lawyer on the unit phone is still recorded unless the lawyer has set up a private call with the jail ahead of time. Lawyers should arrange confidential calls directly with the jail.

Things that can get phone time taken away

  • Three-way calls: don't add another person to the call or transfer it to someone else.
  • Calls that harass, threaten or scare someone
  • Calls used for fraud or crimes

Breaking these rules can lead to losing phone privileges, discipline inside the jail, or new criminal charges. Phone time can also be limited as punishment for other rule breaking or during a lockdown.

Deaf or hard of hearing?

The jail has TTY and video relay equipment for people in custody who are deaf or hard of hearing, or whose family members are.

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Phone numbers for help

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Phone companies, rates and rules at the jail can change. If calls stop coming through, check your account balance first, then call GTL at 1-877-650-4249.

Merced County Main Jail Facility

Address:
700 W. 22nd St.
Merced, CA 95344
Phone:
209-385-7410

Receiving Phone Calls from an Inmate in Merced County Main Jail Facility

There are three Ways to Communicate with an Inmate in the Merced County Main Jail Facility by Phone

To get started you must first open an account with GTL Connect Network (aka Viapath Technologies)

  • Advance Pay - This phone account allows you to prepay so that your inmate can call you (and only you) whenever he/she wants and the cost of each call is deducted from your balance. You can even be notified by text when your balance gets low. You still have the option of accepting or rejecting each call.
  • Pin Debit  -  This option allows you to fund an inmate's commissary account and lets him pay for phone calls to you and others with the money. You will have no control over who your inmate calls.
  • Voicemail  -  You can leave a secure voicemail without having to contact the facility. When you call the local phone number for a facility offering Inmate Voicemail (call Customer Service at 877-650-4249 to get the local voicemail number for Merced County Main Jail Facility, you will be informed of the cost for leaving a message. To leave your message, simply select the inmate by ID number. Then, record your voicemail.

How to deposit money for Inmate Communications:

  • Online
  • By phone by calling 877-650-4249
  • Deposit by cash, visa or mc debit and credit cards in the Merced County Main Jail Facility lobby kiosk
  • By mail... Check or Money Order made out to:
    AdvancePay Service Department
    P.O. Box 911722
    Denver, CO 80291-1722
  • Cash deposits to ConnectNetwork are also available at 26,000 retail locations nationwide including Walmart, ACE, Kmart, Kroger, and more. You’ll start the payment process online in your ConnectNetwork account, then complete your transaction with cash at a participating local retail store. Plus, many of these stores are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Find a retail store near you.

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ViaPath AdvancePay Phone Calling Accounts

Provider: ViaPath Technologies • Formerly ConnectNetwork / Global Tel*Link (GTL)
ConnectNetwork Logo ConnectNetwork → ViaPath Technologies Logo ViaPath →

AdvancePay is the primary prepaid telecommunications service operated by Global Tel*Link (GTL) and ConnectNetwork, which have unified under the corporate identity of ViaPath Technologies (and the myViaPath platform). By funding an AdvancePay account, telephone charges are deducted per minute whenever an incarcerated loved one calls your specific telephone number, preventing calls from being rejected by cellular carriers.

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Important: Cell Carriers Automatically Block Jail Collect Calls

Inmate telephone networks do not permit incoming calls, and wireless cell providers automatically block traditional collect billing by default. While select traditional landlines may support operator billing, cell phones and internet-based lines require an active AdvancePay balance, which you can verify with your carrier. If you do not register your number online and add funds immediately, your loved one will hear an automated operator announcement stating your line is blocked from receiving correctional calls.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Open and Fund AdvancePay

  • Visit web.connectnetwork.com or the updated my.viapath.com portal, or launch the ConnectNetwork / ViaPath mobile application.
  • Click Sign Up and register using your primary 10-digit cellphone number and email address.
  • Select Add Facility, pick your state, and choose the detention center or state prison where the inmate is held.
  • Search for the inmate using their full legal name or facility booking ID number and link them to your contact directory.
  • Select AdvancePay Phone and choose your deposit amount ($25, $50, or custom).
  • Enter your debit or credit card billing details, accept the administrative transaction fee, and complete the payment.
  • Check your phone settings to confirm that automated or unknown correctional numbers are not routed straight to spam.

What the Inmate Needs to Do

The inmate approaches any housing pod telephone, enters their assigned PIN and voice biometric recognition phrase, and dials your 10-digit number. ViaPath's automated operator confirms your active prepaid balance and connects the call. All personal telephone calls are subject to recording and monitoring by facility investigators.

Official Providers: ConnectNetwork Portal  |  myViaPath Portal

Customer Service Telephone: 1-877-650-4249 (Automated & Live Support)

Support Hours: Automated Service 24/7; Live Operators Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM EST

Supported Languages: English and Spanish

Other Services Provided by ViaPath Technologies (ConnectNetwork)

In addition to AdvancePay Phone Calling, ViaPath / ConnectNetwork provides several other communication, financial, and visitation services:

ViaPath PIN Debit Phone Calling Accounts

Provider: ViaPath Technologies • Formerly ConnectNetwork / Global Tel*Link (GTL)
ConnectNetwork Logo ConnectNetwork → ViaPath Technologies Logo ViaPath →

ViaPath PIN Debit (hosted on ConnectNetwork and myViaPath) provides incarcerated individuals with their own calling funds. Unlike AdvancePay (which only funds calls placed to your specific phone number), PIN Debit funds belong directly to the inmate, allowing them to call attorneys, bondsmen, employers, or extended family members across multiple approved telephone numbers.

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Important: AdvancePay Only Funds a Single Phone Number

When someone is arrested, they often need to contact multiple people—including legal defense counsel, bail agents, employers, and relatives. If you only fund an AdvancePay account, your loved one will have no calling balance to dial anyone else, as rules and call authorizations vary by facility. Adding funds directly to ViaPath PIN Debit grants them the calling flexibility needed to handle critical legal and family arrangements without delay.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Fund a PIN Debit Account

  • Sign into your account at web.connectnetwork.com or my.viapath.com.
  • Click on PIN Debit under the communications menu.
  • Select the state and facility, and link the inmate's booking identification number.
  • Enter the deposit dollar amount and review the payment transaction fee.
  • Enter your debit or credit card details and submit the payment.
  • Notify your loved one that their personal PIN calling balance has been credited.

What the Inmate Needs to Do

The calling balance appears under the inmate's personal identification PIN. When they pick up any dayroom telephone or tablet, they select the 'PIN Debit' prompt from the automated menu to place calls to any approved number on their personal contact list.

Official Providers: ConnectNetwork Portal  |  myViaPath Portal

Customer Service Telephone: 1-877-650-4249

Support Hours: Automated Deposits 24/7/365; Live Agents Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM EST

Supported Languages: English and Spanish

Other Services Provided by ViaPath Technologies (ConnectNetwork)

In addition to PIN Debit Calling, ViaPath / ConnectNetwork provides several other communication, financial, and visitation services:

How to get phone Calls from your inmate at Merced County Main Jail Facility

** REMINDER: You cannot call your inmate. They have to phone you.

PRE-PAYING

Using GTL you have the option of either:
- pre-paying directly into your inmate's account where they decide who to call, or
- pre-paying, where you control all phone costs and all calls come only to you.

Prepaid Option #1
If you deposit money online in the INMATE ACCOUNT, than they have the freedom to spend the money on phone calls to anyone, or any other communications services available at Merced County Main Jail Facility.

Prepaid Option #2
With the FRIENDS & FAMILY ACCOUNT, you control all communication services such as phone calls, video visits and messaging. Your inmate can only call the phone number you want.

What are the most important things to know about phone calls with Inmates

If you were unable to find the information you were looking for on this page, call GTL Connect Network at 877-650-4249 and ask their policies on getting phone calls from your inmate at Merced County Main Jail Facility.

You can contact GTL online by using this online form to ask a question.

  • The Merced County Main Jail Facility will sometimes restrict the amount of time that an inmate can use the phone by placing daily and monthly limits, so try to pace yourself and not use up all your time at the beginning of the month.
  • Often a unit will limit an inmate's phone time to certain hours of the day, so it is important you keep a regular schedule that works for both you and your inmate.
  • If your inmate does not call you during the time you both have scheduled, don't panic. There are often long lines for phone use. When a jail is on lockdown due to a fight or other security issue they do not allow the phones to be used.

Things you need to understand about Inmate Phone Calling

  • Phones are the only way for an inmate to hear your voice and temporarily 'escape' the loneliness of incarceration, so use your time well. Arguing about anything will leave you both feeling empty and guilty, so avoid it at all costs.
  • All phone conversations are recorded. Whatever either of you say can and will be used against your inmate in court.
  • Never discuss their pending criminal case! Even if you and your inmate believe that your 'coded' coversation will not be understood, or if you speak in another language thinking the jail staff will not understand, don't do it. The staff that monitors your recorded calls has heard it all... you are not fooling them... and you may find your conversation being used as evidence in their case... or even yours!
  • Also, be warned that some phone providers are collecting voice prints for a database which law enforcement agencies are building.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I open an inmate phone account at the Merced County Main Jail Facility?
The Merced County Main Jail Facility uses a third-party phone service called GTL Connect Network. If you want to communicate by phone with your inmate, you have to first open an account with GTL. They have three different types of accounts: (1)AdvancePay - which is a prepaid collect calling service which allows an inmate to call your phone number using funds that you deposit. (2)PIN Debit - which allows an inmate to call direct to anyone they choose using money that you have deposited for them, or they can use money from their commissary or trust account to purchase prepaid phone credits. (3)Inmate Voicemail - In order to leave a voicemail for your inmate you must have an active AdvancePay Account. To leave a voicemail message you will call a local number that Merced County Main Jail Facility has set up, select their Inmate ID, then record the message you want to leave them. To find out the phone number you call to leave a message, call Merced County Main Jail Facility at 209-385-7410 or call GTL Connect Network at 877-650-4249. Learn more about how to get phone calls from an inmate in the Merced County Main Jail Facility.

How much does it cost for an inmate to make a phone call from the Merced County Main Jail Facility?
Phone call rates from your inmate in the Merced County Main Jail Facility to you vary and are subject to change, but in general the costs are as follows: AdvancePay Phone Calls - $0.21 per minute. PIN Debit Phone Calls - $0.21 per minute. Traditional Collect Phone Calls - $0.25 per minute. VOICEMAIL Message (one minute max) - $1.00 per minute. Learn more about how much phone calls cost in the Merced County Main Jail Facility, or call GTL Connect Network at 877-650-4249.

Can inmate phone calls from the Merced County Main Jail Facility connect to my mobile phone number?
Yes. When an inmate in the Merced County Main Jail Facility calls you using a GTL Connect Network phone service's AdvancePay or PIN Debit account, the calls can connect to your cell phone. Learn more about how to set up a phone account for an inmate in the Merced County Main Jail Facility.

Why is my Merced County Main Jail Facility phone status blocked?
If your phone status at the Merced County Main Jail Facility is showing being BLOCKED, there could be several reasons for this: (1)There are not enough funds on your AdvancePay or PIN Debit Account, (2)You have a new telephone number, and a restriction could be on your line, (3)You may have accidentally pressed the incorrect number when attempting to accept the incoming call and you may have blocked your line, (4)In the past you may have requested to have a block placed on your phone and you never had it removed. On any of these issues of your phone being blocked, you can resolve them by calling GTL Connect Network at 877-650-4249. Learn more about how to unblock a phone in the Merced County Main Jail Facility.

Are phone calls with an inmate at the Merced County Main Jail Facility recorded?
Yes. All phone calls with an inmate in the Merced County Main Jail Facility are recorded. All calls except those with their lawyer. Everything you say and do are going to be heard and recorded by the jail staff. If you discuss your inmate's pending criminal case or any criminal activity, you can be assured that the conversation will end up being sent to the prosecutor and/or other law enforcement. Learn more about inmate phone calling privacy tips with an inmate in the Merced County Main Jail Facility.

How do I control all phone calls with an inmate in Merced County Main Jail Facility?
In order to have full control over the phone expenses and who your inmate can call while in the Merced County Main Jail Facility, you need to open a GTL AdvancePay phone account. With this type of account, when you deposit money, your inmate can only call your phone number. However, since your inmate can also purchase prepaid phone time through commissary, they can use the prepaid account to phone whoever they choose, as long as the person or number is not blocked by Merced County Main Jail Facility. Learn more about how to control your inmate's phone calls in the Merced County Main Jail Facility.

How do I make a deposit into a Merced County Main Jail Facility inmate's phone account?
GTL Connect network has five different options for making deposits for your inmate's phone account: (1) Online, at the GTL Connect network website. (2) By phone - Call - 877-650-4249. (3) At the Merced County Main Jail Facility lobby kiosk. (4) By mailing a check or money order to: AdvancePay Service Department - P.O. Box 911722 - Denver, CO 80291-1722. (5) Walk-in retail locations such as Western Union Quick Collect [Blue Form], Walmart, ACE, Kmart, Kroger,  and more. Learn more about how to deposit money for an inmate's phone account in the Merced County Main Jail Facility.

Who is ViaPath Technologies?
GTL Connect Network and their sister company GTL gettingout are currently undergoing a merger and rebranding into a single entity called ViaPath Technologies. During this transition, all of the current services, links and prices will remain the same. Merced County Main Jail Facility, and family members and friends of inmates will not see any changes during the transition, as it will be a slow, measured, seamless process. The end result will be a more responsive company with even better services for you and your inmates.

Do inmates in the Merced County Main Jail Facility have access to tablets?
Yes. Merced County Main Jail Facility is transitioning to having free tablets available to all inmates for basic services. In addition, you will be able to purchase tablet subscriptions which will include, music, movie streaming, educational programming, legal research and more. Learn more about how to rent a tablet for an inmate in the Merced County Main Jail Facility.

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Merced County

Human-verified information Manually curated

Every detail on this page is checked by hand, not scraped. This unofficial directory helps friends and family of incarcerated individuals find critical information — inmate lists, locations, bail resources, visitation hours, rules, and text, phone, email, and mail services — for jails, detention centers, and prisons across the United States.