Phone Calls at Trenton Correctional Institution

How the Phone System Works

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

Setting Up an AdvancePay Account

Create an account at ConnectNetwork.com with your phone number. Once set up, 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.

The Overnight Phone Curfew Applies Only to Medium Custody

Effective Oct. 27, 2025, SCDC restricts phone access for medium and close custody male inmates to 6 a.m. through 11:30 p.m., with no calls permitted overnight. Trenton houses both medium and minimum custody inmates, so this curfew applies only to the medium-custody portion of the population, not to inmates classified minimum custody. If you’re unsure which classification applies to the person you’re calling, check the SCDC inmate search or call Trenton directly at (803) 896-3000.

Calls Are Monitored and Recorded

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

Rates and Call Limits

The 5.5 cents per minute rate applies statewide across SCDC institutions. Call length limits, if any, are set at the institution’s discretion, ask when you set up your account or call Trenton directly to confirm current limits.

If a Call Doesn’t Go Through

If the person you’re calling is medium custody, check the time first. If it’s between 11:30 p.m. and 6 a.m., the curfew is the likely explanation. If it’s during allowed hours and a call still doesn’t connect, check your AdvancePay balance, then confirm your phone carrier isn’t blocking calls from an unfamiliar or flagged number.

Alternatives to Phone Calls

If phone contact isn’t working out, mail is a reliable fallback, see the mail and photos guide below. Some SCDC institutions also offer virtual visitation on weekdays at the facility’s discretion, call (803) 896-3000 to ask.