Prison Phone Justice

USP THOMSON

:INMATE BULLETIN
Legal Calls
Per Program Statement 5264.08, Inmate Telephone Regulations, the Warden
may not apply frequency limitations on inmate telephone calls to attorneys
when the inmate demonstrates that communication with attorneys by
correspondence, visiting, or normal telephone use is not adequate. The
Bureau provides each inmate with several methods to maintain confidential
contact with his or her attorney including: inmate-attorney correspondence
is covered under the special mail provisions; private inmate-attorney
visits are provided; and the inmate is afforded the opportunity to place
an occasional unmonitored call to his or her attorney.
Based on these provisions, frequent confidential inmate attorney calls
should be allowed only when an inmate demonstrates communication with his
or he'r attorney by other means is not adequate. For example, when the
inmate or the inmate's attorney can demonstrate an imminent court deadline
(see Program Statements Inmate Correspondence or Inmate Legal Activities).
Staff are to make reasonable efforts to verify unmonitored calls placed on
an inmate's behalf are to an attorney's office. Inmates are responsible
for the expense of unmonitored attorney telephone calls. When possible,
it is preferred inmates place unmonitored legal calls collect. Thirdparty or three-way calls are not authorized.
The current telephone rates are based on per minute usage:

•

•

•
•
•

Direct
Direct
Direct
Direct
Direct

Dial
Dial
Dial
Dial
Dial

Local Calls $.06
Long Distance $.23
Canada $.35
Mexico $.55
International $.99

Beginning January 10, 2022,

•

Inmates will fill out a BP-199, form at the time a legal call is
scheduled~_ Their acc_ount will _b~ _charged at the end o~ the call. If
an inmate refuses to sign the BP-199, their commissary account will
be encumbered for the full amount of the call.
• Inmates will n t be charged for Court appearances
• Indigent irun t s will not be charged for unmonitored legal calls.

D. Altizer, Associate Warden