Phone Calls at MacDougall Correctional Institution

How the Phone System Works

SCDC uses GTL/ConnectNetwork statewide for inmate calling, including at MacDougall. Calls are billed at a flat rate of 5.5 cents per minute to any U.S. number, regardless of distance. To receive calls, you set up an AdvancePay prepaid account instead of paying by the call.

Setting Up an AdvancePay Account

Create an account at ConnectNetwork.com using your phone number. Once set up, you can add funds online, by phone, or in cash at participating retailers including Walmart, Kroger, and ACE Cash Express. The inmate calls your number, and the call draws down your AdvancePay balance at the flat per-minute rate.

Does the Overnight Curfew Apply at MacDougall?

Effective Oct. 27, 2025, SCDC restricts phone access for medium and close custody male inmates to the hours of 6 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., excluding minimum-security and female inmates from the restriction. MacDougall is officially classified as both medium and minimum custody, and per SCDC’s own facility documentation, currently houses inmates across a range of classifications. That means the curfew likely applies to MacDougall’s medium-custody population but not its minimum-custody population, housed at the same facility. If you’re unsure which classification your loved one currently holds, ask when you call, since that determines whether overnight calls are restricted.

Calls Are Monitored and Recorded

As at virtually every correctional facility, calls placed through GTL/ConnectNetwork at MacDougall are monitored and recorded, with the standard exception of properly registered attorney-client calls. Assume any call is being recorded unless you’ve been told otherwise.

Rates and Call Limits

The 5.5 cents per minute rate applies statewide across SCDC institutions, so it’s the same whether the call goes to a number down the street or across the country. Call length limits, if any, are set at the institution’s discretion, ask when you set up your account or call MacDougall directly to confirm current limits.

If a Call Doesn’t Go Through

Start by checking the time and confirming the inmate’s custody classification. If it’s overnight and they’re classified as medium or close custody, the curfew is the likely explanation. If it’s during allowed hours and a call still doesn’t connect, check your AdvancePay balance first, then confirm your phone carrier isn’t blocking calls from an unfamiliar or flagged number, a common issue with cell phone spam filters and correctional facility numbers.

Alternatives to Phone Calls

If phone contact isn’t working out, SCDC institutions including MacDougall sometimes offer virtual visitation on weekdays at the facility’s discretion. Call (843) 688-5251 to ask about scheduling one. Mail is also a reliable fallback, see the mail and photos guide below.