Telephone information for Oregon prisons

[one_luv]

Oregon state prisons have two options for phones calls from the prison: calling collect, or the debit card system, also known as VAC.

A long distance collect call is approximately $12 for 15-minutes, and $2.25 for local call.

Long distance through VAC is approx. $9 for 15-minute long distance call , an $1.75 for local.

The maximum time allowed for each phone call is 20 minutes.

VAC is a pre-paid calling card that you or the prisoner can put funds into.
To use VAC, you or the prisoner must first deposit a minimum of $50 to start up the account. The prisoner can ask for a transfer of funds from his books, or you can send a money order directly to VAC. The second option will have the money on his account within a few days, while going through the prison to have them cut a money order could take several weeks.

After you start-up the account with at least $50, there is no minimum to deposit- you can put as much or as little as you want. You can not designate how the
prisoner uses the funds (i.e. which numbers he calls) on his VAC account.

To send a money order or cashier’s check:
In the pay to the order of: VAC for Inmate’s Name and SID# and institution, Oregon
e.g Pay to the order of VAC for John Doe #1000000, Snake River CI, Oregon

Mail to:
VAC
PO Box 941366
Plano, TX 76074

The greatest thing about VAC, besides the cost savings, is that it allows prisoners to call cell phones because it is not a collect call. Instead, it’s deducted from their pre-paid calling card. You can get a local cell phone with free roaming and you can live 1,000 miles away but only pay for a local call. If your loved one is in Snake River CI, you will likely have to ask for a Payette, Idaho number which is local for Ontario.

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Here are FAQs taken from the DOC web site

http://egov.oregon.gov/DOC/GENSVC/faq-its.shtml

Common Questions and Answers about Inmate Telephones

Ongoing contact with supportive family and friends is an important part of inmates’ success in prison and upon release. The Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) is committed to providing the best possible inmate telephone service at the most reasonable cost per call. This includes information about the inmate telephone system, answers common questions and offers solutions to common problems.

The system used within DOC facilities is Value Added Communication, Inc. (VAC). The system offers three types of calling programs: prepaid, collect and debit

If you have questions that remain unanswered after reviewing this website, you may call the Oregon Department of Corrections’ Inmate Phone Specialists at 503-947-1015. You may expect a return call within one business day.

What drives the cost of inmate calls?

The Oregon Department of Administrative Services (DAS) oversees all state telecommunication contracts. The Oregon Department of Corrections provides input regarding the security features that are required of phone systems within the correctional environment.

When phone companies bid on inmate phone contracts, they take operating costs into consideration. Equipment that supports security features for inmate phones can cost millions of dollars. Additionally, the phone company considers the cost of repairs, non-collected bills and fraud when establishing calling rates for inmate calls.

Alternative types of calling plans currently offered in the community, if used in the correctional environment, would bypass mandatory security features, so they are not allowed by the Oregon Department of Corrections.

What features on a phone might prevent receipt or disconnect a call?

Three-way Calling: ODOC rules prohibit three-way calls. DOC blocks these numbers.

Cordless Phones: Sometimes signals sent through cordless phones are intermittent or spotty. Disruption in the phone signal may cause the call to be disconnected. Security features on some cordless phones automatically change channels that can and may cause the call to be disconnected. If you must use a cordless phone, remain stationary in a location where you have a strong signal, however, it is strongly recommended that you do not use a cordless phone.

Cell phones: DOC Rule now allow inmates to call cell phones. Most telephone companies prohibit collect calls to cell phones. DOC has no control over the blocks placed by telephone companies. Using debit may be the only option for calling cell phones.

Call forwarding: Inmates are not allowed to call numbers that are forwarded to other locations or to cell phones. DOC blocks these numbers.

How much will the inmate call cost?

When you answer a call from an inmate who is calling from any Oregon Department of Corrections facility, an automated announcement will ask you if you would like to hear the rates for that call. By pressing the designated number when prompted, a recording will list the maximum amount that could be charged for that call. Selecting this option will not disconnect your call and you will not be charged for the time the announcement plays, except during a debit call. For debit calls, charges commence once the call is connected. Charges for all other inmate calls begin when you accept the call by selecting the designated number.

How can a call be more cost efficient?

It is less expensive to have one long conversation rather than several shorter calls. Long distance calls have a connection fee plus a per-minute rate. For example, the combined charges for a 20-minute call are less expensive per minute than the cost of four, five-minute calls.

The best savings in most cases, is to purchase debit time from VAC.

Why can’t I receive inmate calls?

There are many possible reasons why you are not receiving calls. The first step is to diagnose the problem and be directed to the appropriate venue to resolve the issue.

The VAC system has several prompts that instruct both the caller and call receiver why certain calls cannot be completed. During each prompt, a 1-800 number will be provided so the service issue can be corrected. It is important that the call receiver listens to the prompt and then calls the 1-800 number that is provided. When you call the 1-800 number and speak to a VAC representative, they will ask what the recorded message said.

Unfortunately, many smaller independent phone companies, known as Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (C-LEC), do not have billing agreements with the contracted service providers for DOC. In these cases, the companies providing local and long distance service to DOC facilities will not allow a collect call to go to that C-LEC. The option with VAC is for the call receiver to prepay for calls or for the inmate, inmate friends or family to put money on the inmate’s debit account.

To address other phone problems at all DOC facilities, contact the providers listed at the bottom of this page.

When a person becomes aware that there is a problem, the billed customer will usually contact their local operator. Local operators do not have access to the record information at correctional facilities. Additionally, the correctional facilities do not have access to this information and, in most cases, are unable to provide a proper resolution. To address phone problems at all DOC facilities, call the service providers listed at the bottom of this page.

How do I deal with the credit limit AT&T has on all new users who do not have service with them?

AT&T has a monthly limit on collect calls that they will carry to non-AT&T long distance customers. If you exceed the limit established, AT&T will block further inmate calls on their system for the rest of the billing cycle. You may contact AT&T at 1-800-216-1513 to increase this limit.

I have an overdue, outstanding phone bill. Can I receive calls from an inmate?

All billing questions need to be directed to the issuing telephone company. Most companies have plans to reactivate your service, with certain restrictions, which will allow you to receive calls.

How do I put money on an inmate’s debit account?

All debit transactions are handled by VAC. You can contact them at 1 800 786-8521 for further information.

I am prevented from receiving calls from an inmate until my new area code/prefix is programmed into the telephone system. How do I fix it?
The phone company programs the inmate telephone system to allow calls to be placed to a new area code or new prefix anywhere in the U.S. To address phone problems at all DOC facilities, call the service providers listed at the bottom of this page.

My phone company said there were no blocks on my phone. Is the Oregon Department of Corrections blocking me?

Your phone company does not have access to information that will identify who blocked the phone from receiving inmate calls. To identify who blocked a number, call the Oregon DOC’S service providers listed at the bottom of this page.

To address phone problems at all DOC facilities, call the service providers listed at the bottom of this page.

Why are my calls cut off prior to the time limitations set by the Oregon Department of Corrections?

The primary reason for disconnected calls is an interruption in the phone signal. This may occur at either end of the connection. To address phone problems at all DOC facilities, call the service providers listed at the bottom of this page.

How can I block my phone number from correctional facilities?
You may request that a phone block be placed on your number. The items needed are a copy of the page of your phone bill showing the owner’s name and phone number and a note signed by the owner requesting that ODOC place a block on your number at all correctional facilities. Send to:

Oregon Department of Corrections
Inmate Phones
2575 Center Street NE
Salem, OR 97301

Or Fax to 503-373-7891 (cover sheet is not needed)

The following is a list of the DOC’s service providers for ODOC facilities:

For Debit questions at all facilities contact VAC at 1-800-786-8521.

For repair questions at all DOC facilities:

CCCF, CRCI, EOCI, OSCI, OSP, OSPM, MCCF, PRCI, SCCI, SCI, SFFC, SRCI, TRCI
1-800-244-1111

If you are unable to resolve your problem through the phone company or have other questions, please contact the ODOC Inmate Phone Specialists at 503-947-1015 or 503-947-9962.

[vneedsherz]

Just the other week i came and looked at this for the address for VAC. almost 2 weeks have gone by & my fiancee' still hasn't called . It was that long ago that i sent a money order For $150 & still no calls. i was going crazy wondering why thinking maybe I blocked the calls by accident or maybe he was really mad at me for some odd reason. then i got a call from someone telling me he is waiting for me to put some $$ on the phone. i told them i did over a week ago & thats when they told me that VAC changed their address.

VAC
PO BOX 678517
Dallas, TX. 75267

[LuvMyFirefly]

Since they changed their address. . . money orders are sent to their bank, then after the bank deposits them, they will get posted by VAC. This can take up to 20 days, which really sucks. You can also money gram them and it will post the following day. Let me know if you need that info.

Jennifer

[jakesdarlin2004]

I called VAC the other day to find out what is to be written on the payable to line ( there were some questions about this right after they changed addresses) What I was told was You only put VAC on the payable to line and the inmate's SID # and name anywhere else. I put my husband's name at the top and it went right through.

[one_luv]

It would be nice if the mod could update these telephone threads and delete the incorrect info and addresses. This is too important of info to not keep current and correct.

Regarding mailing in VAC money orders, mine was addressed perfectly and it took almost 3 weeks. I only do moneygrams now.

[femeniem]

so im new to this does that vac address up there work for all prisons and will the inmate know who put the money in ?

[one_luv]

Welcome femeniam,
yes, it works for all Oregon state prison, not Sheridan, which is federal. The inmate doesn't know who puts money on because they are not given a receipt like they are for trust funds.

[cyanide360]

Haven't seen anyone mention this in any of the postings (unless I missed it) but there are new "official" instructions in PDF format for the VAC program. You just go to any of the ODOC Prison web pages and follow the menus for inmate telephone questions. The instructions include a copy of the debit deposit form which is supposed to be included with the money order. I suppose this form eliminates the need to write the inmates name and SID# on the money order. I copied and pasted this form (about 8 per page) into a word perfect document which I print out.
The instructions also include details on how to use the moneygram option.
I agree that the new VAC address and instructions should have been advertised much better to avoid all the confusion and delays. I didn't find out about all of this until today due to being out of State for the last couple of months and my wife doesn't use the computer.

[2Lovebirds]

Just a few days ago I sent a money order to
VAC, PO BOX 678517, Dallas TX 75267
I called them first 1-800-786-8521 and verified the address. I put my husbands' name and sid# on the m/o and I always write on it the facility he is at. He got the funds within 3-4 days and can call me pre-paid. Had a problem with VAC recently they put a block on me receiving collect calls from him. I got it straightened out with them but I'm gonna make sure he has $$ in the pre-paid VAC just in case!

[tristanemilio]

are calls from coffee creek to beaverton long distance anc if i set up a vec account to my cell phone from coffee creek will it work because they said that cell phones were not allowed>

[B&D2007]

What is the difference in sending money to ones pre paid account on VAC and opening up your own account? I am in North Carolina and so confused. I am not sure if I should do this VAC thing or jus try to get a cell phone with a 541 # then call VAC .... then again I am back to should I open a account with them or just put money on his prepaid account????????????

[jwg]

If you have a cell registered with an area code local to the Oregon prison it's going to be cheaper. (Make sure it's local to the prison and not just a 541 area code) My trac10 phone runs me 10 cents per minute on my end, but money must still be posted on my sons VAC account because it's $1.75 per call on his end. It still comes through as collect but the cost is $4.75 per call rather than the $26 per it was costing on the home phone.

[one_luv]

The prepaid vs debit is confusing (ie "his" and "your" account).

Your prepaid account will be more expensive than his debit- the benefit of using it is that he can only use the funds to call you, not other people.

[miss k_0836]

Originally Posted by one_luv

The prepaid vs debit is confusing (ie "his" and "your" account).

Your prepaid account will be more expensive than his debit- the benefit of using it is that he can only use the funds to call you, not other people.

and you can use a charge card lol, which I have done many times