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 CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION
INFORMATION SHEET ABOUT INMATE COLLECT CALLS

 The following information was provided by CDCR in 2006. In January of 2006, MCI merged with Verizon, but continued to be the contract provider for inmate collect phone call services in California prisons. On June 30, 2007, MCI merged with Global Tel*Link (GTL). We have been told that all remains the same as with the original contract. Please scroll down to the bottom of this page to see the current 2007 Memo regarding the merger. GoTo New GTL info

    The Contract - The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) uses the Department of General Services (DGS) Inmate/Ward Telephone (IWTS) Contract that provides collect-only telephone services to inmates and wards.

    The IWTS Vendor - The IWTS vendor was MCI. In January 2006 MCI and Verizon merged into one company called Verizon Business. The merger did not have an impact on the IWTS Contract. Now that GTL has taken over the contract, CDCR now refers to GTL as the IWTS vendor.

    Contacting Global Tel*Link (GTL) GTL has one toll-free number (1-866-770-4896) to direct questions related to CDCR inmate/ward telephone services (blocking, billing, etc.) If family or friends also known as the "called party" contact other GTL customer service numbers their question or issue may not be answered correctly.

    GTL Inmate Family/Friends' Customer Service Web Site - If the called party has an e-mail address, they may use the MCI web site address: http://correctionsgtl.com . This site may be used by anyone who receives inmate collect calls and (1) want to know if their number is blocked; or (2) have a direct bill account with GTL and want to check the balance due on their account or make a payment.

    Some telephone numbers may be blocked for one or more reasons - If the called party:

     Has a telephone feature used with Caller ID called "anonymous call rejection" -- this rejects calls from unlisted telephone numbers (inmate numbers are unlisted);

     Recently switch to a phone company that does not allow collect calls to be received;

     Has an unpaid telephone bill with an outstanding balance due;

     Requested to block receiving future calls from CDCR facilities;

     Needs to set up a direct bill or direct remit account with GTL. GTL contacts the called party through an automated voice message that calls their telephone number and provides the GTL toll-free number to call. If the called party does not contact GTL within two days or the collect call billing totals $100, then GTL blocks the telephone number until the called party contacts GTL and makes payment arrangements. GTL needs a mechanism to bill the called party for the collect call.

       If you don't receive many collect calls, and your local phone company allows GTL to list their charges on your monthly bill, you do not need to establish an account with them in most cases. HOWEVER, they will charge you an extra monthly fee on your regular bill for the priveledge of not using their account services. See information here: New 2008 GTL Fees

    Setting up a direct bill account with MCI/GTL - The direct bill account with MCI/GTL is tied directly to the called party's telephone number. Have a current telephone bill on hand. The information you will need to provide MCI/GTL is found on the bill. MCI/GTL will ask the called party to provide a four (4)-digit Pass Code that will be used to verify this account every time contact is made with MCI/GTL. Write the Pass Code down for future reference.

    Inmate Family and Friends DO NOT need to switch to MCI or GTL as their local telephone service provider to receive inmate collect calls.

 Prepared by CDCR telecommunications Branch
Issued 9/1/2006

2007 GTL Merger Information
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION

 NOTICE TO INMATE/WARD FAMILY AND FRIENDS
Effective June 30, 2007 MCI will merge with Global Tel*Link (GTL) and GTL will become the new inmate phone provider for inmate telephone service. The merger will have some impacts to how inmates/wards make collect calls.

Notices have been issued to inmates/wards of this change.

 There are NO CHANGES to:
(1) Domestic collect call rates,
(2) How the inmate/ward call is processed, and
(3) How calls are made to Canada, Puerto Rick, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

 THE CHANGES ARE:

Company name will change from MCI to Global Tel*Link.

Called party will hear, "...this is a collect call from Global Tel*Link..."

Some telephone numbers may be blocked if GTL does not have a billing agreement with the local telephone provide. If blocked, the called party will need to establish a direct bill agreement with GTL. If a family or friend cannot receive calls from inmates/wards please contact the GTL toll-free number at 1-866-770-4896.

Effective July 14, 2007 International calls made by inmates/wards will require the family or friend who lives in the foreign country to have a prepaid account established with Global Tel*Link who will use Western Union to set up the account and receive the foreign currency. Due to thousands of different languages and associated dialects, the inmate/ward will need to share this change with their family in other countries. Global Tel*Link has prepared documents that include: (1) a GTL International Advance Pay information, Rates, and Frequently Asked Questions flyer and (2) a Western Union flyer. Copies of these documents will be available to inmates/wards.

Effective December 1, 2007, families who do not have a contract with GTL separately from their own phone carrier will be required to pay an extra $1.95 per month fee when they receive phone calls from inmates, and it is billed through their regular phone company. See memo at: New 2008 GTL Fees
Family and Friends may contct the MCI toll-free number for all
questions related to inmate/ward telephone services.

 1-866-770-4896