Patent ID: 7158621

Claim:
A method for processing a call placed by an inmate from a custodial facility using a custodial facility phone, comprising: receiving an incoming call from the custodial facility phone, the incoming call being free of charge to the inmate; prompting the inmate to input a phone number for an outside party to be called; placing an outgoing call to the outside party using the phone number input by the inmate; if the outside party answers the outgoing call, determining whether the outside party provides a payment to cover charges for being connected to the inmate; and if the outside party provides the payment, connecting the inmate to the outgoing call and terminating the incoming call; playing an advertising message to the inmate during the incoming call from the inmate, the advertising message paid for by an advertiser; and providing the inmate with an opportunity to leave a voice message for the advertiser in a voice mailbox assigned to the advertiser.