Escambia County Jail Inmate Phone Calls — How to Set Up and Pay
Escambia County inmates can’t receive incoming calls — they call out. To take calls from someone in the Escambia County jail, set up a prepaid calling account through ConnectNetwork, the phone provider Escambia County links to for its facilities. Inmates can also buy calling time through commissary or call collect. All calls except privileged attorney calls are recorded and monitored.
On this page
Ways an inmate can call you
| Method | Who pays | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Prepaid account (AdvancePay-style) | You, in advance | Most reliable. Funds sit in your phone account for calls to your number. |
| Inmate debit / calling time | The inmate, from their trust account | Bought through commissary. Family can fund it by depositing money. |
| Collect call | You, when you accept | Often blocked by cell carriers. A prepaid account avoids this. |
| Free calls | — | The county’s 2017 handbook says inmates get free calls during booking and to bail bond agents (pre-programmed numbers). |
How to set up a phone account
- Go to the ConnectNetwork page for Escambia County, FL (web.connectnetwork.com/facilities/escambia-county-fl/), or use the ConnectNetwork app.
- Create an account with your phone number — the number the inmate will call.
- Add funds. Rates and fees are shown before you pay.
- Tell the inmate (by visit, mail or a short first call) that the account is funded.
If calls to your number are blocked, it’s often because your carrier doesn’t allow collect calls, or the number needs to be added to the account. Contact the provider’s customer service.
Calling hours and rules
- The county’s 2017 inmate handbook lists phones available roughly 9:00 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. daily . They’re turned off during head counts, medication passes and lockdowns.
- Inmates set a 4-digit PIN on their first call.
- Three-way calls and call forwarding are prohibited, and using them can get a number blocked.
- Calls are recorded. Prosecutors can use recorded jail calls as evidence. Don’t discuss the facts of the case — talk about that only with the defense lawyer.
- Attorney calls can be set up as privileged (not recorded) by registering the attorney’s number with the jail.
Rates change. Federal rules on incarcerated-person calling rates were updated in 2024, and providers adjust pricing. The handbook’s older per-call figures may not be current. The provider shows the live rate when you fund an account.
Messages and video
- Video visits are scheduled through gettingout.com. Visitation guide
- Mail goes to a mail-processing center, not directly to the jail. Mail guide
Frequently asked questions
Can I call an inmate at the Escambia County jail?
No. Inmates can only make outgoing calls. To talk, set up a prepaid calling account with the jail’s phone provider so the person can call your number, or schedule a video visit at gettingout.com. In an emergency, call the Detention Division at 850-436-9830 and ask staff for guidance.
Why can’t the inmate call my cell phone?
Many cell carriers block collect calls from jails, so the call never connects. Setting up a prepaid account through the jail’s phone provider usually fixes it, because the call is paid in advance. Make sure the account is registered to the exact number the inmate is dialing.
Are Escambia County jail calls recorded?
Yes. Except for privileged calls to attorneys, all inmate calls are recorded and may be monitored, and prosecutors can use recorded calls as evidence. Don’t discuss the facts of the case on the phone. Attorneys can register their numbers with the jail so legal calls aren’t recorded.
Sources: Escambia County Correctional Facility (links to phone provider) · ConnectNetwork – Escambia County, FL · Escambia County Inmate Handbook, 2017 (PDF)