Phone Calls at Tyger River Correctional Institution

How the Phone System Works

SCDC uses GTL/ConnectNetwork statewide for inmate calling, including at Tyger River. 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

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. Tyger River is a medium-security institution housing male offenders, so this curfew applies. If you’re expecting a call and it doesn’t come through overnight, this is the likely reason, not a technical issue.

Calls Are Monitored and Recorded

As at virtually every correctional facility, calls placed through GTL/ConnectNetwork at Tyger River 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, the same whether the call goes down the street or across the country. Call length limits, if any, are set at the institution’s discretion, ask when setting up your account or call Tyger River directly to confirm current limits.

If a Call Doesn’t Go Through

Check the time first. If it’s between 11:30 p.m. and 6 a.m., the overnight curfew is the most 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, a common issue with cell phone spam filters and correctional facility numbers.

Alternatives to Phone Calls

If phone contact isn’t working out, some SCDC institutions offer virtual visitation on weekdays at the facility’s discretion. Call (803) 896-3501 to ask about scheduling one. Mail is also a reliable fallback, see the mail and photos guide below.