Catawba Correctional Center Phone Calls. How ViaPath Works

Why You Cannot Call In

You cannot dial Catawba Correctional Center and reach a specific resident. The resident uses phones at the facility to call approved numbers through the ViaPath/GTL system. Your job is to make sure your number is registered and funded so their call goes through.

A Note on Work Release

Catawba is a minimum custody reentry facility. About 50 residents hold private-sector jobs and leave the facility each weekday morning. They are back at the facility by evening. If you are not getting calls during the day, the person is likely at their work assignment. Evenings are the most likely time for calls from work release participants. If you have not heard from the person and are concerned, call the facility at (828) 466-5521.

Step 1. Set Up a ConnectNetwork Account

Go to connectnetwork.com and create a free account. Use your real name and the phone number you want to receive calls on. You can also manage your account through the ConnectNetwork mobile app.

Step 2. Register Your Phone Number

After creating your account, add the phone number the resident will be calling. Make sure the number matches exactly what the resident will enter when placing the call. You can add multiple numbers if needed.

Step 3. Fund Your Account or Theirs

There are two ways to cover the cost of calls:

Option A: Fund your ConnectNetwork account. You prepay a balance and calls draw from that balance each time the resident calls you. This is called a Prepaid account.

Option B: Fund the resident’s trust account. The resident pays for calls from their own commissary funds. Use ConnectNetwork deposits to put money on the resident’s account. Call the AdvancePay line at 800-483-8314 for phone-specific deposits.

Both options work. Many families do both.

Call Rate and Length

Detail	Info
Rate	$0.10 per minute
Maximum call length	15 minutes
Monitoring	All calls monitored and recorded
Call direction	Outbound only (resident calls you)

If Calls Are Not Coming Through

A few things to check:

• Your phone number is correctly entered in your ConnectNetwork account
• Your account or the resident’s account has enough funds
• Your carrier is not blocking calls from correctional facilities (some do by default; contact your carrier if calls drop immediately)
• The resident is not currently on work release or an off-site assignment

Contact ConnectNetwork support for account issues. Call Catawba at (828) 466-5521 if you need to confirm the resident’s status or schedule.

Monitoring and Recording

All calls from Catawba Correctional Center are monitored and recorded. This is standard policy at NC DAC facilities. Calls with attorneys are generally handled separately, but all other calls should be treated as non-private.

Video Visits

If you cannot connect by phone, video visits are available through the Getting Out Visits app, a ViaPath/GTL service. Go to sso.gtlconnect.com to create an account. You must be on the resident’s approved visitor list to schedule a video visit. Video visits are another way to stay in contact when the resident is back at the facility in the evenings.

Blocked or Restricted Numbers

If calls are not going through and you have confirmed your account is funded, your number may have been blocked or restricted. Contact ConnectNetwork at 877-650-4249 to find out why and request a review if the block was applied in error.