Roanoke City Jail INMATE PHONE USE

SECURUS INMATE PHONE SYSTEM

Roanoke City Jail uses Securus Phone System for Inmate Calling.

Securus has three (3) inmate phone calling programs. 

Check here to see which programs are served by Roanoke City Jail.

Contact Securus Online

Contact Securus by Phone:

972-734-1111 or 800-844-6591

1.  AdvanceConnect – Good Option if you are on a budget

This type of account offers you the following benefits:

• The maximum funding amount is up to $50.00 per transaction.
• You are able to receive inmate calls as long as funds are available in your account.
• You can add multiple phone numbers to your account so your loved one can reach your home phone, work phone, cell phone, other relatives, neighbors, friends, etc.
• Calls will connect to cell phones (subject to facility restrictions).
• You have 24/7/365 access to your account on the website or by contacting via phone.

2.  Inmate Debit – Good Option if you are on a budget

This type of account offers you the following benefits:

• You can fund an Inmate Debit account without having your own calling account
• Inmates can call anyone on their approved calling list without requiring friends and family to create separate prepaid accounts
• Calls will connect to cell phones (subject to facility restrictions)
• The maximum funding amount is $50.00 per transaction
• You have 24/7/365 access to fund an inmate’s Debit account on our website or by contacting us via phone
• Funds placed in the Inmate Debit account will become the property of the inmate and friends & family members will not be able to receive refunds on this account. This product is currently available at limited facilities.

3.  Direct Bill – Used by those with long term inmates, Lawyers, etc. 

A Direct Bill account allows you to receive collect calls from inmates and have the charges billed directly to you each month from Securus Correctional Billing Services (SCBS). 

• This account is a good option if the inmate is incarcerated for longer than two years or if you are an attorney, bail bondsmen, consulate, social worker or other small business or government agency.
• With verification or approved credit, you can receive an itemized monthly bill statement from SCBS for your calls. 

For information about Securus eMessaging (inmate secure email) services, please scroll down.

How Does An Inmate Make A Phone Call From Roanoke City Jail?

Collect Calls

Almost every jail, including Roanoke City Jail, will allow inmates to contact pre-approved friends and family members' phones by calling collect.

This is typically the most expensive way to contact people by phone and in many cases, it requires credit approval or a deposit to be made into a third-party phone company account through a contract with the jail.

Direct Calls

Many jails are now contracting with a third party service (for a fee) that is less expensive and allows your inmate to use their phone system to make direct calls to your land line or cell phone.

To find out about Roanoke City Jail phone services, call 540-853-2621.

Some jails also allow sell phone cards directly to an inmate in the jail commissary store.

Can I communicate by Email with an Inmate?

Securus Technologies eMessaging allows family and friends to communicate with an inmate using a messaging service that works like email.

Because Roanoke City Jail contracts with Securus for their phone service, they either already or may soon allow eMessaging for their inmates.

Check to see if eMessaging is available:

*WARNING* Everything you write or any attachments that you send will be seen by authorities in your inmate's facility, will be stored on their servers indefinitely and can be used against them in court proceedings. 

We recommend you download the app in order to use eMessaging

Things you can do with Securus eMessaging by buying 'Digital Stamps' from Securus:

- Send a text Message - 1 stamp

- Purchase a reply for your inmate - 1 stamp

- Attach up to 5 photos - 1 stamp each photo

- Share up to 5 eCards - 1 stamp each eCard

- Send just a photo with no text - 1 stamp

- Send a 30 second VideoGram - 3 stamps

Things your inmate can do using eMessaging:

- Reply to your eMessage if you attach a return stamp

- Receive transferred stamps you share with them (no cost to transfer)

- When available, they can purchase their own stamps from their Inmate Debit Account

How it works:

- You must have a Securus Account and be logged in

- Messages are sent and received from the Securus Website or the Securus Mobile App

- Find Roanoke City Jail here, check to see if they have eMessaging yet, and if they do, find your inmate, purchase a book of stamps and send an eMessage.

- You must first purchase a book of stamps. The cost of each stamp is subject to change. Once you select your inmate, the stamp price will be shown.

*WARNING* 

- All eMessages, Photos and Videos are first REVIEWED by Roanoke City Jail Staff.

- If your eMessage, Photo or Video is NOT approved, you will receive a message in your eMessaging inbox stating that the message was rejected and a reason.

- NO REFUNDS will be given for Stamps used, even if eMessage or other attachments are rejected.

Important Tips About Jail Phone Calls

If you were unable to find the information you were looking for on this page, call Roanoke City Jail at 540-853-2621 and ask their policies on getting phone calls from your inmate.

Many jails and prisons are increasingly restricting 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.

Jails 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.

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 you talk about, can and will be used against your inmate in court. Never discuss their pending criminal case!

Also, be warned that some phone providers are collecting voice prints for a database which law enforcement agencies are building.

Click here to view the jail website for additional information.