Forsyth Correctional Center Phone Calls. How ViaPath/GTL Works

How Calls Work at Forsyth

Forsyth Correctional Center uses ViaPath/GTL for all phone calls. Calls are outbound only: the person inside calls you. You cannot dial into the facility and reach someone directly.

To receive calls, your phone number needs to be approved and there needs to be money available to pay for the call. The person can pay from their own trust account, or you can set up a prepaid account on ConnectNetwork.com.

Rate and Call Length

• Rate: $0.10 per minute
• Maximum call length: 15 minutes per call

At $0.10/minute, a full 15-minute call costs $1.50. Calls cut off automatically at the 15-minute mark.

Work Release and Call Timing

Forsyth is a minimum-custody reentry facility. Many residents have work release placements that take them into the Winston-Salem community during regular business hours, Monday through Friday. When someone is at a work release job, they are not at the facility and cannot access the phone system.

Expect calls in the evenings, after residents return from work. If you are not hearing from someone who is on work release, do not assume something is wrong right away. Check in through mail or a video visit, or call the facility at (336) 896-7041 to confirm their work release schedule.

Step 1. Make Sure Your Number Is Set Up

The person inside needs to add your phone number to their approved call list. They do this from the phone kiosk at the facility. Once added, calls to your number can go through.

If calls are not connecting, check that your number is on the approved list.

Step 2. Fund the Account

Calls cost $0.10 per minute and someone has to pay. There are two ways:

Option A: The person pays from their trust account. They use money on their account to place the call. You can add money to the trust account through ConnectNetwork deposits.

Option B: You set up a prepaid account on ConnectNetwork.com. Create a free account at ConnectNetwork.com, add your phone number, and load a balance. When the person calls your number, the cost comes from your prepaid balance.

Either approach works. Many families use both, keeping the trust account funded for general use and a ConnectNetwork prepaid account as a backup.

Step 3. Answer the Call

When the person calls, you will hear a brief automated message identifying the call as coming from a North Carolina correctional facility. Follow the prompts to accept. The call connects and the timer starts.

At 14 minutes you will typically hear a brief warning. At 15 minutes the call ends automatically. The person can call back immediately if both parties want to keep talking.

Monitoring and Recording

All calls at Forsyth Correctional Center are monitored and recorded. This is standard practice at NC state prisons. Do not share sensitive personal or legal information on facility phone calls.

Attorney-client calls may be handled differently. Contact the facility or your attorney’s office to find out the procedure for confidential legal calls.

What Numbers Can Be Called

The person can only call numbers that have been approved and added to their account. They cannot call random numbers. If your number is not connecting, check with them to confirm it was added correctly.

Some carriers block incoming calls from correctional facilities by default. If calls are connecting on the facility’s end but not ringing on yours, contact your phone carrier.

Video Visits: Getting Out Visits App

Video visits are available at Forsyth through the Getting Out Visits app, powered by ViaPath/GTL.

How to get started:

1. Go to sso.gtlconnect.com or download the Getting Out Visits app.
2. Create a free account with your real name and contact information.
3. Search for Forsyth Correctional Center.
4. Submit a visit request and wait for approval.
5. At the scheduled time, connect through the app.

Video visits are a good option on days when the person is not on work release and you cannot make it in person. They also count as a separate connection method, not as a substitute for the in-person scheduled visit.

Troubleshooting

Problem	What to do
Calls not connecting	Confirm your number is on the approved list and there is money on the account
Carrier blocking	Contact your phone provider and ask them to allow calls from correctional facilities
No calls for several days	Check work release schedule; the person may not be at the facility during call hours
Money ran out	Deposit through ConnectNetwork.com or call 877-650-4249
Video visit not working	Check your internet connection and app version; contact Getting Out support at sso.gtlconnect.com

If You Still Have Questions

Call ConnectNetwork support at 877-650-4249 or contact Forsyth Correctional Center at (336) 896-7041.