Calling From the Big House: A (Relatively) Painless Guide to Funding Your Phone-A-Pal in Milwaukee County Jail
Let's face it, jail ain't exactly the Ritz-Carlton. Your loved one's away, missing out on free Wi-Fi and the questionable delights of lukewarm cafeteria food. But fear not! There is a way to brighten their day (and maybe secure a decent birthday phone call): by topping up their phone account.
But How Does This Jail Phone Stuff Work Anyway?
Tip: A slow, careful read can save re-reading later.
Unlike that fancy smartphone you're using, jail calls are handled by a separate system. This means your friend/family member/arch nemesis (hey, no judgement here) will have a special account for making outgoing calls. And that's where you, the amazing friend/family member/not-so-arch-nemesis, come in!
QuickTip: Every section builds on the last.
Funding Options: You've Got Choices, Baby!
QuickTip: Reading twice makes retention stronger.
Here's the good news: there are several ways to add funds to their account. Consider it your jailhouse financial advisor moment.
Tip: Check back if you skimmed too fast.
Calling in the Cavalry (or Credit Card): Dial (866) 345-1884 and get ready to unleash the power of plastic. Visa and Mastercard are welcome, so dust off that credit card and get ready to be a hero (or at least the person who enables those early morning wake-up calls). There's a daily limit of $300, so you can't exactly turn them into a jailhouse Rockefeller, but you can definitely get the conversation flowing.
Website Whiz: If you're more of an online kinda person, head over to the Access Corrections website. This is where the magic happens – you can create an account, link it to your inmate's information, and top up their balance with a few clicks. Easy peasy.
The Kiosk Kiosk: Feeling old school? No worries! The Milwaukee County Criminal Justice Facility and the Community Reintegration Center both have handy dandy kiosks where you can add funds. Just be sure to bring your plastic pal (debit or credit card) and you're good to go. Bonus: These kiosks are even available 24/7, so you can be a financial fairy godmother at any hour.
Just a Friendly Reminder (Because Let's Be Real, We All Need Them Sometimes)
- Make sure you have the inmate's full name and ID number handy before you start throwing money around.
- There might be a small service fee, so factor that in when topping up their account.
Jailhouse FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
- How do I find out the inmate's ID number? Contact the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office directly. They'll be happy to help.
- Can I send cash? Nope. For security reasons, only electronic deposits are accepted.
- What can the inmate use the money on? Good question! The funds will be added to their commissary account, which they can use to purchase things like snacks, drinks, and stamps (gotta write those letters!).
- How long does it take for the money to appear in the account? Deposits are usually pretty quick, but it can take up to 24 hours to show up.
- Can I schedule calls in advance? Unfortunately, no. Calls are made on a first-come, first-served basis.
So there you have it! With a little know-how, you can help your incarcerated friend or family member stay connected. Now go forth and conquer that phone-a-pal situation! Just remember, when they call, try not to hold it against them if they ask you to "hold for a sec" while they argue over the last bag of chips in the commissary. Jail life, you know?
 |
