TOTAL PREPAID CALL CONTROL - Competitors´ prepaid options often dial out to a platform that results in lost control of the calls. GTL´s exclusive prepaid platform maintains all of LazerPhone®´s hallmark administrative, investigative and security features. Our customers do not have to sacrifice call control for increased call completion.
LAZERPHONE® PREPAY DEBIT ACCOUNTS
LazerPhone® offers two prepay options through its integrated Debit Account system: direct deposit, which is managed through the LazerPhone® workstation, and prepaid KEEP IN TOUCH™ Vouchers that inmates may purchase from the facility, or the facility´s commissary, and "cash" at inmate telephones. To use either prepay option, an inmate must have a LazerPhone® PIN account. (Note: A facility may choose to assign PINs to all inmates for better control of phone usage,or may assign PINs only to inmates wishing to make prepaid calls.)
When LazerPhone®´s Debit system is active, at the beginning of each call attempt, if the inmate chooses the prepaid call type, the system´s automated operator reports the current balance in the inmate´s prepaid account. If the balance is sufficient, the cost of the current call can be automatically deducted from the account. Inmate debit accounts can be added, updated, deleted, or closed at the LazerPhone® workstation.
HOW "KEEP IN TOUCH" PREPAID VOUCHERS WORK
The facility or the facility´s commissary orders KEEP IN TOUCH Vouchers from Global Tel*Link and sells them to inmates wishing to make prepaid calls. Once in the inmate´s possession, the voucher is taken to any inmate phone. After choosing a language and entering a destination number, the inmate selects menu option 5 to begin the "cashing" process. Following automated prompts, the inmate enters his PIN, the voucher number, and the voucher value. If the PIN is valid and the voucher has not been previously used, the value of the voucher is transferred to the PIN account. The inmate may now place prepaid calls by simply choosing the prepaid call type and entering his/her PIN during call setup, the voucher number is no longer needed. Unlike prepaid calling cards that retain value and are subject to theft, once "cashed" (meaning the voucher number has been recorded by LazerPhone®) the voucher is useless and can be discarded.
If inmate friends and family members wish to purchase prepaid vouchers for an inmate, they can do so by depositing money into the inmate´s commissary account. The inmate can then purchase a voucher using the money deposited in his commissary account. When an inmate leaves the facility with funds still in a debit account, the facility or commissary may request a refund, or the inmate´s LazerPhone® PIN, with its associated Debit Account, may simply be deactivated. If the inmate is re-incarcerated in the future, he or she can use the same PIN for making prepaid calls.
CALL CONTROL
Because this prepaid option operates on Global Tel*Link´s platform, prepaid calls are subject to the same call controls as collect calls. Prepaid calls must be validated before the system will connect the call. Once connected, the call is subject to the facility’s call-duration restrictions, time-of-day restrictions, blocked-number restrictions, and all other call-restrictions.
REFUNDS
Refunds will only be made upon written request following an inmate’s release from jail. To obtain a refund, the facility and/or the commissary company must make a written refund request on the inmate´s behalf. The request must include the PIN, the inmate’s name, the mailing address, and the facility name. A refund will only be made if requested by the facility and/or the commissary company.