State of North Carolina
Department of Correction
Division of Prisons
POLICY & PROCEDURES

Chapter:
Section:
Title:
Issue Date:
Supersedes:

D
.0800
Inmate Access to
Telephone
10/12/07
07/25/05

.0801 GENERAL
The maintenance of family and social relationships as well as pre-release planning activities are
integral parts of the overall rehabilitation process that can be strengthened through
communication by telephone. In consideration of this, the Division of Prisons will establish
inmate access to telephone privileges within all correctional facilities. Inmate access to
telephones will vary by facility security level and inmate custody classification. In order to
maintain security and ensure the safety of the institution staff and inmate population, inmate
access to telephones shall be managed carefully and may be suspended if necessary.
Inmates will be notified by telephone placard and computer generated voice that all calls are
subject to monitoring and/or recording. The called party will be notified by computer generated
voice that all calls are subject to monitoring and/or recording and that the telephone call is being
made from a prison facility.
.0802 RESPONSIBILITY
(a)

The Director of the Division of Prisons shall designate a staff coordinator to assist in
telephone program management requirements. Coordination of telephone requirements
with Department of Correction Purchasing, Division of Prisons Budget and Legal
Sections, and Division operations are essential requirements.

(b)

The facility superintendent is responsible for developing specific telephone procedures
that comply with the minimum standards established by this policy and procedures. The
Superintendent shall designate a telephone program coordinator who is responsible for
the management of the facility inmate telephone program.

(c)

Program/Case Management staff will provide assistance in the management of inmate
access to telephones.

.0803 PROCEDURES
(a)

Availability of Telephones
(1)

Each correctional facility should establish telephones or telephone banks in
sufficient numbers so as to provide appropriate access to telephones by inmates
for outgoing calls.

(2)

Telephones are to be wall-mounted and collect only.

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(b)

Inmate Access to Telephone

(3)

Inmate telephones have a master switch that enables either facility staff or the
Division’s Telecommunication section to render the telephones inoperable during
periods of emergency or other appropriate times.

(4)

The establishment of an appropriate number of telephones or telephone banks is
authorized as a legitimate inmate welfare expenditure subject to the Division
approval process.

Inmate Access
(1)

(2)

(3)

Minimum Security Facilities
(A)

Regular population minimum custody inmates at minimum security
facilities should have open access to telephones as operational
considerations permit. Insofar as possible, correctional staff should
routinely supervise inmate use of these telephones.

(B)

Inmate use of telephones will be by collect call only and will be limited to
ten (10) minutes. Telephones should automatically terminate the call after
the time limit has expired.

(C)

Minimum custody inmates may utilize the telephones for maintaining
family ties, contacting prospective employers or, communicating with
friends or relatives as a part of pre-release planning activities or other
legitimate purposes that serve to better prepare the inmate for transition to
the community.

Medium/Close Security Facilities
(A)

Regular population inmates assigned to a medium or close security facility
will be provided scheduled access to telephones if requested by the
inmate.

(B)

Inmate use of telephones will be by collect call only and will be limited to
ten (10) minutes. Telephones should automatically terminate the call after
the time limit has expired.

(C)

Medium and close custody inmates will be permitted a minimum of two
(2) telephone calls per calendar month. Superintendents are authorized to
allow more than two (2) calls per month based on facility operations and
capabilities.

Special Populations
(A)

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Protective Custody

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Inmate Access to Telephone
As long as security and safety considerations permit, eligible inmates in
protective custody may be permitted telephone privileges consistent with
regular population medium and close custody inmates.
(B)

Death Row. Maximum Custody, Administrative Segregation. Disciplinary
Segregation, Safekeepers
Inmates in these classification categories are not eligible for participation
in the telephone program. Emergency telephone calls or the returning of
attorney calls may be permitted at the discretion of the facility
superintendent.

(C)

Mental Health In-Patient
Mental Health In-patient inmates generally should be provided telephone
access consistent with facility security classification and inmate custody
level. The inmate Mental Health Treatment Team generally will manage
inmate telephone access.

(D)

Security Threat Group Members
Guidelines to govern the use of telephone by STG members are detailed in
the Division’s Security Threat Group policy in the DOP Security Manual
.1700.

(E)

Other Special Populations
At the discretion of the facility superintendent, other special populations
may be involved in planned telephone privileges or access may exceed the
minimum standards established by this policy, as a program incentive or
treatment strategy.

.0804 OTHER PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
(a)

Inmate participation in the telephone program may be suspended through the disciplinary
process as a form of punishment. In addition, the facility superintendent is authorized to
terminate telephone privileges for specific abuse of telephone regulations or to maintain
security of the facility and ensure the safety of staff and other inmates. The facility
superintendent must document circumstances and rationale for the termination of inmate
telephone privileges.

(b)

Emergency calls may be approved by the Superintendent or designee. There also may be
occasions when inmates need to be allowed to make local non-collect calls for unusual
circumstances such as work release, death in family and emergency situations, etc.
Facilities should develop guidelines for allowing inmates to place these calls utilizing
facility telephones.

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(c)

Inmate Access to Telephone

Calls to attorneys may be approved by the Superintendent or designee. Calls to an attorney
require documentation that identifies the person being called as an attorney. Calls to
attorneys will not be monitored or recorded and will be made utilizing facility telephones.
Calls to inmates by attorneys require prior approval by the Department of Correction’s
Legal Section.

(d)

Inmates are not authorized to receive incoming calls on division established collect call
only telephones.

(e)

Inmates shall not use the telephone for the purpose of harassing or threatening any
employee of any section of the Department of Correction or Parole Commission or the
public.

(f)

During emergency or unique circumstances, the facility superintendent or his designee is
authorized to allow inmates to use the facility telephones. When this discretion is
exercised, the use of a Division of Prisons business telephone by the inmate must be
documented for auditing purposes.

___________________________
Director of Prisons
Date
D.0800_10_12_07.doc

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