The recipient is then provided with the option to accept or reject the call. This allows a person who does not wish to speak to the prisoner to hang up the phone without ever having to speak with the prisoner. The system allows correctional staff to monitor and record prisoner telephone calls to assist in controlling illegal or non-approved telephone activities such as phone scams, threatening calls to victims and witnesses, and efforts to introduce contraband into correctional facilities. The Department does not monitor or record conversations between prisoners and their attorneys and has entered all numbers from the state attorney directory into the system to restrict monitoring and recording of these numbers. The Department needs the assistance of Alaskan attorneys to keep this listing current.
Local calls are free.
All long distance calls must be placed collect with the exception of the Central Arizona Detention Center, which also allows prisoners to use prepaid calling cards. Evercom is currently trying to secure permission from the Alaska Public Utilities Commission to use prepaid debit cards in Alaska facilities. Charges for collect calls vary as to whether they are to locations in or out of Alaska and depending on the distance. The rates reflect both the regular daytime rates charged by the providers for operator-assisted long distance calls as well as examples of the long distance mileage rates. Due to technology issues, many local Alaskan telephone exchanges are not able to provide Evercom with billing services.