Does anyone have any idea what the official DOC rule is about inmates in Texas prisons making collect calls? The inmate I write to isn't allowed to call anyone but his immediate family, and then for only five minutes once every 90 days. Even for the state of Texas, this strikes me as both ludicrous and brutal. What about inmates without immediate family or with family who don't want to hear from them? Too bad? Wouldn;t this tend to make many inmates incommunicado?

Hi ynot and welcome to WAP.
I can confirm the 5 minutes/every 90 days rule in regards to phone calls. I don't think that you have to be a relative to be on their calling list though. However it takes a long time to get on their calling list. I thought it was three months, but another veteran of WAP thought it was 6 months. I can't swear to anything, because I haven't researched it recently.
Naturally, the main exceptions, to this rule would be with their attorney.
When they do make their 5 minute call, it is over a speaker phone and a CO is sitting right there. Not the most conducive thing to a warm, loving, exchange with relatives.
I don't know how long you've had a PP, in Texas, but I think that you may find that "liducrous" and "brutal" were invented right there in the Texas penal system.
Happy writing to your PP. He/she needs you. :-)

__________________
Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly.

Cowards are cruel, but the brave love mercy.

They are allowed as Xray said, one 5 min phone call every 90 days if they have had good behavior for those 90 days. In order for them to phone you, you have to be 'approved' or on the visitors list.

Are offenders allowed to make telephone calls?
Offenders who demonstrate good behavior can earn one 5-minute collect phone call every 90 days. Calls are monitored and may be made only to approved individuals.

http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/faq/faq-cid.htm

__________________

William Jennings Bryan

Five minutes every 90 days? Sheesh! I guess we shouldn't expect anything different from Texas DOC!!