Phone Calls and Messaging at California Health Care Facility

Voice Calls Are Free

California made all outgoing voice calls from its state prisons free on January 1, 2023, ending the old system where families paid per-minute rates to accept collect calls. There’s no cost to you or the incarcerated person for a standard phone call, and nothing to set up or fund for voice calls specifically.

How Calls Work

The incarcerated person places calls from housing-unit phones during allowed hours. You cannot call into the prison and be connected to a specific person. Each call is limited to 15 minutes, after which the person can place another call if a phone is free. The person dials from their own PIN on the state’s contracted phone system.

Phone Access in Medical and Psychiatric Housing

Because CHCF houses people in acute medical care, its Psychiatric Inpatient Program, and Mental Health Crisis Beds, phone access for patients in those units can work differently than for someone in standard general-population housing. If the person you’re trying to reach is in one of these units and calls aren’t happening as expected, call CHCF directly at (209) 467-2500 and ask about phone access for their specific housing area instead of assuming a standard schedule applies.

Calls Are Monitored and Recorded

Assume every call is monitored and recorded, which is standard across CDCR. The one exception is calls to a properly registered legal number, which are not recorded. Attorneys can have their number registered as a confidential legal contact through the institution.

Tablets and Messaging

Incarcerated people at CDCR institutions have access to tablets that add electronic messaging and media on top of free voice calls. These tablet services are billed separately from the free voice calls. CDCR no longer provides video visiting, so tablet messaging and free phone calls are the main ways to stay in touch between in-person visits.

We Don’t Have a Confirmed Provider for CHCF

CDCR is moving its tablet and e-message service from ViaPath Technologies to Securus Technologies, one institution at a time, on a rollout running through 2026. We could not confirm from CDCR’s published sources exactly where CHCF stands in that rollout as of this guide’s verification date. Instead of guessing, call the institution at (209) 467-2500 and ask which provider currently handles tablets and e-messaging before you download an app or create an account.

Blocking or Unblocking a Number

If a number needs to be blocked or unblocked, or if your number isn’t accepting calls, contact the current phone provider’s customer support once you’ve confirmed which vendor CHCF uses. The institution can tell you which provider handles the account.

Troubleshooting a Failed Call

If calls aren’t going through, the most common causes are a phone carrier that blocks prison calls, a number that hasn’t been set up to receive them, or an account issue on the provider’s side. Confirm your number can accept the calls, and contact the current provider’s support line once you know which one CHCF uses.

Questions to Ask When You Call

Since the tablet and messaging vendor isn’t confirmed for CHCF, here’s what to ask when you call (209) 467-2500: which company runs the tablet and e-messaging system right now, how a family member sets up an account, whether phone access differs for patients in the Psychiatric Inpatient Program or a Mental Health Crisis Bed, and how to report a phone or tablet problem.