Telephone bill from jail?

Question

I live in alaska with my nephew. His mother is incarcerated in washington for some bad choices years ago. She called our home from jail. The auto voice machine asked if we would accept a collect call from her, to accept press 1. I did so and was immediately sent to some billing company that wanted around 60$ for 15 minutes of phone time. Other than being morally absurd greed on someones part, is this an accepted practice? The place made it seem I woudn't accept the call. I just didn't have the money right now. I'm sure she thinks we just said no, we didn't want to talk to her. Whats up with this?? Is this legal or just another way to extort money from people who are not having the best time in life as it is. When I call Washington, I pay around 8 cents per minute. If she calls it's 3$??

Answer 1

I would definately check into that. Thats extortion in my book. Also, see if u can get her a calling card or the number to one, for those calls out I guess.

Answer 2

my heart goes out to you and other people who are not rich so welcome to the real world where the haves will scam the poor every time they can , they also know the poor don't have the ability to fight back, so the real criminals such as the prison administers , guards etc can do as they wish with impunity,I have heard this so many times and where the inmate could get a calling card for 8 cents per minute the prison will rule that it is not legal so the can charge those exorbitant fees to the ones who need it worst of all, and the same with their commissary every thing cost at least twice as much at a prison as it does on the street no competition, and greed,some one should check with the A,C,L,U, maybe they would do something about this robbery,

Answer 3

Unfortunetly, I think it's legal.
Is she calling you from a payphone? If she is, get the number from her, and tell her to call you and you refuse the call. Then immidetly call her back because you know she's standing by the phone.