“LET YOUR FINGERS DO THE WALKING” is an outdated advertising phrase for yellow pages. That’s what I have to do at CCJ!
You can’t call me! But, I can call you…. Or at least try. My call to you will be a “collect call”. Therefore, you would have to accept the call.
The jail contracts with a telecommunications company, Evercom, and I’m sure receives a percentage of revenue generated.
Each dorm has a phone mounted on a wall. The guards have control of turning the phones on/off. They, also, have the ability to listen in and /or record conversations. The phone is available for use from 8am to 11pm each day.(When there is misbehavior in the dorm, the phone is enabled for a day or two. Only one or two may be the culprits, but the whole dorm receives the punishment brunt! Ugh!!)
If I were to call you, a recorded voice would speak when you answer, “You have a collect call from ‘Jim’ (when putting through the call I am ask my name and it is recorded) at the Cheatham County Jail. To accept the call press ‘0’. Once you press “0”, the announcer says, “Thank you for calling Evercom.”Then you will be able to hear my voice. I’ve already been able to hear yours.
We can then talk! Often times the announcers voice is delayed (automation computer generation is out of sync). Just give him time to crank up! Also, you can press “0” too early. Wait until asked, then press “0”!
The calls I make to Nashville to a “landline” (not a cell phone) cost $1.50 for a 15 minute call. The call is automatically disconnected at 15 minutes. (2 warnings are given however at 1 min. and a 30 sec.) I’m sure calls to other cities would be a little more expensive because of the long distance charges but, I don’t know how much!
Many folks don’t have a landline, or else their line is a cable company line. I can’t call those! I can call cell phones but it is more complicated and more expensive .A cell phone account must be set-up in advance and pre-paid with Evercom. However, three phone numbers can be used on one account.
For example: My brother only has a cell phone. My sister has a landline, but it is a cable co. line. They have established and account with Evercom with both their cell numbers, plus my mom’s cell number .It is expensive, though! To call them (bro or sis )there is $3.95 connection fee, plus .89 per minute. To call mom in Nashville it is $1.00 connection charge and .49 per min. Unfortunately, my phone calls to my family are limited: about 1 every two weeks alternating between bro. and sis..(My mom now has an att&t landline. So I will be able to call her for $1.50/15 min. call.)
If you ever would like to receive a call from a “wild and wooly, crazy and crazed, bald-headed (but with a halo) jailbird then, send me a letter with your number (landline) and best time to call. (I wouldn’t want anyone to go to the expense and trouble for a cell phone) “Ask and ye shall receive!” Then, I will let my fingers do the walking! I will call and say, “Hello! Stat CHU?”
FUTURE BLOGS:
Visitation
INTERIOR DECOR OF CELL
TOOTHPASTE AND DOLLAR STOLEN
“Don’t retreat, just, reload and shoot” Is the message in Jesus’s parable of the pesistentent widow in Luke 18. That’s what I am trying to do, especially to my oppressors. I’m shooting love shells, shotgun shells, not single bullets, where shot will be splattered over a broad area. Perhaps a heart shall be penetrated! Maybe everyone can celebrate.
