Securus Securus Technologies, Correctional Billing Services and others Falsely stating that people can control spending on phone calls  Internet

The complaint was about the fact that Securus give no warning either to the inmate or the person they call that the prepaid time was exceeded.  If Securus wish to give free phone time that is their right, but they do not have the right or agreement to exceed the prepaid call time paid for by the customer and then claim the person is in debt.

I will not even bother to cover the rantings about what inmates should or should not do, but without a watch and with no notification of the time left, it is pretty difficult to time a call.   At something like $5 for a 2 minute phone call, even keeping a conversation to critical information can easily exceed prepaid time and create debt.   People charged with a crime can be in county for months if they can't afford the bail.

 No its not that we shouldnt think about inmates. Its that they are incarcerated and have VERY limited communication. As such, they cant go top up thier time. That would be on the person who setup the account. You can probably check the website and find this information out daily. But the incarcerated CANNOT!! There is always good ole fashion leters. Other then general lonliness and needing to talk to a freindly voice, they dont NEED to make calls. All of the issues where a inmate needs to communicate SHOULD be done by the person in charge on the outside.

Yes its not right and its not fair, but its NOT illegal. That is the cost one has to pay if they wish the LUXURY of verbal telephonic communication. And make NO MISTAKE, it is a luxury. It is NOT a "right". Thats why they give you ONE phone call when you are arrested. So you can contact someone to handle your affairs while you are jailed.

And they are RIGHT when they suggest that its a controlable cost. You dont NEED to talk with ppl everyday. If they want to make a call, I would suggest that the inmate use their PREPAID time sparingly. Keep it short and simple and dont waste time with the usual verbal banter. The inmates situation really will not have changed. Yup still in jail, carry on. So the costs ARE controlable. Just not using the phone IS control.