POLICY and PROCEDURES
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania • Department of Corrections

Policy Subject:

Policy Number:

Automated Inmate Telephone System
Date of Issue:

Authority:

March 2, 2007

Signature on File

DC-ADM 818
Effective Date:
March 9, 2007

Jeffrey A. Beard, Ph.D.
I.

AUTHORITY
The Authority of the Secretary of Corrections to direct the operation of the Department of
Corrections is established by Sections 201, 206, 506, and 901-B of the Administrative Code
of 1929, 71 P.S. §§61, 66, 186, and 310-1, Act of April 9, 1929, P.L. 177, No. 175, as
amended.

II.

APPLICABILITY
This policy is applicable to all facilities operated under the jurisdiction of, or conducting
business with the Department of Corrections.

III.

POLICY
It is the policy of the Department to grant inmates the privilege of legitimate telephone
communications with individuals in the community, while at the same time protecting
society from harm, including but not limited to, criminal activity, harassment, threats, and
intimidation using the inmate telephone system. 1

IV.

PROCEDURES
Section 1 – General Procedures
The inmate telephones may be used to place collect calls to a telephone number in the
North American Calling Plan, or through pre-paid calls purchased by the inmate. In the
event an inmate needs to call a number that is not in the North American Calling
Plan, and he/she has money in his/her account, the cost of the call shall be tracked
after a billing cycle, and the cost shall be debited to his/her account.

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A. Inmate Access
1. Telephone system call frequency and duration are based on the custody level for a
general population inmate. A custody level 4 inmate is permitted a maximum of
three 15 minute calling blocks of time per week. A custody level 3 inmate is
permitted a maximum of one 15 minute calling block every day. A custody level 3Y,
2, and 1 inmate is authorized two 15 minute calling blocks of telephone time every
day.
2. Multiple calls per time block are permitted. A facility may limit calling frequency
below the maximum if the number of inmate telephones available do not allow for
sufficient calling blocks of time, and for other operational or security reasons.
3. Calling schedules will be determined by the facility.
4. Telephone privileges for inmates in Restricted Housing Units (RHU), Special
Management Units (SMU), and any other specialized housing unit will be governed
by Department policy DC-ADM 801, “Inmate Discipline,” DC-ADM 802,
“Administrative Custody Procedures,” and 6.5.1, “Administration of Security
Level 5 Housing Units.”
5. Inmate telephone calls are a privilege, which can be curtailed or rescinded by the
Unit Manager through the informal resolution of a misconduct in accordance with
Department policy DC-ADM 801. Inmate telephone calls may also be curtailed or
rescinded for administrative or disciplinary reasons by the Hearing Examiner or
Facility Manager/designee.
B. Telecommunication Devices for the Hearing Impaired
1. Facilities housing hearing impaired inmates shall provide Telecommunication
Devices for the Deaf (TTY/TDDs) to provide communication to or from hearing or
speech-impaired persons. 2
2. The Pennsylvania Relay Service allows persons to use TTY/TTDs to communicate
with hearing impaired and speech-capable persons and vice-versa, through the
assistance of specially trained operators. 3 The toll free number for operator
assistance for placing TTY/TDD calls is 800-855-1155.
3. A remote printer will produce a copy of the conversation for monitoring purposes.
4. An inmate using the TTY/TDD shall be permitted 30 minute calling blocks of time.

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C. Restrictions
1. A call on the AITS will be initially announced to the called party as originating from a
correctional facility and subject to monitoring and/or recording. Announcements
may be made periodically during telephone conversations. There will be no
reimbursement for the time consumed by these recorded announcements.
2. An inmate is prohibited from initiating calls to the following:
a. an inmate, a former inmate, parolee, probationer, or co-defendant(s) without the
written approval of the Facility Manager/designee;
b. an employee or former employee of the Department unless requested in writing
by the employee/former employee and approved in writing by the Facility
Manager/designee;
c. a judge, criminal justice official, prosecutor or court administrator without his/her
prior written approval;
d. a minor unless approved in writing by a parent or legal guardian;
e. a victim of the crime for which the inmate is incarcerated unless requested in
writing by the victim and approved by the Facility Manager/designee;
f. a member of the public who requests in writing to have his/her telephone
number call blocked;
g. all toll-free and emergency numbers (800, 888, 911) with the exception of tollfree numbers for the Pennsylvania Relay Service for TTY/TDD equipment for
the hearing impaired;
h. three-way calling, call forwarding, and calls through a call forwarding service
using a local phone number;
i. placing a call through a multiple long-distance carrier; and
j. placing a call to a local, county, state, or federal correctional facility, a
Community Corrections Center (CCC), or to an inmate housed there without the
prior written approval of officials at both facilities.
3. If written approval is granted for any of the calls listed above, the call shall be
monitored.
4. Use of any office telephone or other telephone not specifically designated for an
inmate is prohibited except as otherwise provided for under this policy.
5. A telephone number that the facility has reason to believe is being used to violate
Department policy or regulations will be call blocked.
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6. Use of the same telephone number on multiple IPIN lists at an individual facility is
prohibited unless an immediate family relationship can be established. The facility
Manager/designee must approve such exceptions in writing.
7. Warning: calls placed to cell phones, or phones of inferior quality may be
automatically terminated due to static, adverse weather conditions, or weak signals.
If this occurs, there will be no reimbursement for the call set-up fee that is incurred
when the number is re-dialed. Likewise, if someone at the called number picks up
an extension phone, the call may be automatically terminated, and you will not be
reimbursed for the call set-up fee that will be incurred when the number is re-dialed.
D. Procedure for Obtaining Telephone Privileges
1. The inmate will be permitted to place a call on the AITS within 72 hours of initial
reception or recommitment as a parole violator. The inmate will be required to have
an IPIN to access the system. The length of the call will be automatically limited to
15 minutes. Each facility shall develop procedures to ensure compliance with the
time frame requirement.
2. A list of every approved telephone number shall be established during the initial
classification period and recorded on the DC-8A, Inmate Telephone Authorization
Form (Attachment A). A copy of the DC-8A will be kept in the inmate’s record. The
Diagnostic and Classification Center (DCC) will develop detailed procedures to be
followed.
3. The inmate must sign the DC-8A verifying that he/she has read, or has had read to
him/her, the provisions of this policy. Failure to sign the form will result in denial of
inmate telephone privileges.
4. An individual inmate telephone list is limited to 20 active telephone numbers.
5. An attorney’s telephone number is to be listed separately on the DC-8A, and is not
counted against the total of 20. The attorney must be representing the inmate and
the relationship must be verifiable through the inmate’s counselor. The attorney
telephone number must be verifiable and will not be subject to recording or
monitoring. 4
6. The complete name, relationship, telephone number, and street address of every
person whom the inmate wishes to call must be listed. A P.O. Box may be
considered a valid address. An incomplete form will be returned to the inmate
without action.
7. The inmate may request to add or delete from his/her approved list of telephone
numbers monthly using the DC-8B, Supplementary Authorized Inmate
Telephone Numbers Form (Attachment B). A copy of the DC-8B will be kept in
the inmate’s record. Each facility will develop local written procedures detailing
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implementation of this process. The inmate must sign the DC-8B, verifying that
he/she has read or has had read to him/her the provisions of this policy. Failure to
sign the form will result in denial of inmate telephone privileges.
8. The inmate may place calls when he/she receives a computer listing of the
telephone numbers which have been entered into the AITS under his/her IPIN.
9. The IPIN number issued to the inmate is considered confidential. The loaning,
borrowing, or theft of that number is prohibited and will result with any involved
inmate receiving a misconduct.
10. In the event the inmate experiences difficulty in using the AITS after his/her phone
numbers have been entered into the AITS computer, a DC-8C, Telephone System
Discrepancy Form (Attachment C) will be completed to resolve the problem. The
form shall be forwarded to the Telephone System Administrator (SA) for resolution.
Copies of call detail records will not be provided.
11. The inmate shall be notified in the event the system experiences any malfunctions
or becomes inoperable.
E. Payment
1. Telephone calls using the AITS must either be collect in accordance with 66 Pa.
C.S. §2907, where the cost of the telephone call must be borne by the called party,
or through pre-paid calls purchased by the inmate.
a. Pre-paid calls may be purchased in the commissary in $15, $25, or $50
amounts, not to exceed a $100 limit per week.
b. At the time of the inmate’s release, his/her pre-paid phone account is
deactivated and the remaining balance is determined.
c. The inmate will be reimbursed by the facility for the remaining balance of his/her
pre-paid phone account along with the balance of his/her commissary account.
The refund of the pre-paid phone account will be for the full balance of the
account (even if less than $1.00).
d. If the inmate is deceased, a refund will be sent to his/her next-of-kin, consistent
with Subsection V.1.E.b. of this policy.
2. A call placed under exceptional circumstances as stated in Subsection F. of this
policy must be collect or paid for by the inmate. A regular facility telephone may be
used only when such a call cannot be made on the AITS. Prior to placing a noncollect call, the inmate must sign a cash slip authorizing the deduction from his/her
account prior to placing the call. If the inmate is indigent, has no funds currently
available and a collect call is not feasible, the cost shall be charged to the inmate’s
account and the debt will be satisfied as funds are deposited to the inmate’s
account.
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F. Facility Authorized Telephone Calls
1. The Facility Manager/designee may authorize the use of the facility owned
telephone system for the following reasons:
a.

serious illness, hospitalization or death of an immediate family member;

b.

contact with an attorney regarding a legal matter when the attorney won’t
accept a collect call; 5

c.

contact with an attorney regarding a legal matter which, because of an
immediate deadline, cannot be handled in person or via correspondence; 6

d.

an extraordinary or unusual circumstance.

2. The inmate placing the call must establish that an actual emergency exists. The
staff member authorizing the inmate telephone call must verify the emergency
exists prior to placing the call and document the call on a DC-121, Part 3,
Employee Report of Extraordinary Occurrence, and forward the report to the
Security Office and the Facility Manager/designee. In addition, a facility-authorized
call is to be monitored by the staff member providing this privilege. If the inmate
does not agree to have this phone call monitored he/she will not be granted the
privilege of placing a telephone call on the regular telephone system. An attorney
phone call shall not be monitored; however, staff will first verify that the call is
received by the attorney.
3. A call placed under this section will be recorded by the counselor on the inmate’s
DC-14, Cumulative Adjustment Record.
4. A Department staff member authorizing an inmate phone call to arrange for a ride
upon the inmate’s release of parole does not need to fill out a DC-121, Part 3.
G. Electronic Surveillance
Pursuant to the Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance Act, 18 Pa.C.S. §5701, et
seq., every inmate telephone call is subject to interception, recording, monitoring, and
disclosure except those placed to or from an attorney representing an inmate.

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Section 2 – Automated Inmate Telephone Procedures
A. Scope of System
The inmate telephones may only be used to place collect calls or pre-paid calls purchased
by the inmate to a telephone number in the North American Calling Plan.
B. General Access
1. Telephone system call frequency and duration are based on the custody level for general
population inmates. Custody level 4 inmates are permitted a maximum of three 15 minute
calling blocks of time per week. Custody Level 3 inmates are permitted a maximum of
one 15 minute calling block every day. Custody Level 3Y, 2, and 1 inmates are
authorized two 15 minute calling blocks of telephone time every day.
2. Placement of inmate telephones will be determined at each facility with provisions to
permit access by the disabled. 7
3. An inmate who is hearing or speech impaired, as determined by the facility medical
director, is permitted access to TDD machines.
C. Electronic Surveillance
1. General Information
a. Inmate notification of the Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance Act, 18
Pa.C.S.§5704 (13), requirements shall be accomplished through the completion of the
DC-8A, Inmate Telephone Authorization Form which contains a notification clause
and through the posting of surveillance notices at every inmate telephone location and
notification to all persons speaking with an inmate that the call may be recorded or
monitored.
b. A sign, in English and Spanish, must be posted at all Automated Inmate Telephone
System (AITS) telephone locations notifying the user that telephone conversations
may be monitored.
c. Telephone monitoring/recording equipment shall be located in a secure climate
controlled area approved by the Facility Manager/designee. If the recording and
monitoring equipment and AITS maintenance function are located in the same room,
a secure barrier must be erected to separate them.
d. No persons shall be permitted to turn off the recording equipment during the time the
AITS is in operation without the authorization of the Secretary/designee.
e. All AITS telephone lines must be connected to recording and monitoring equipment.

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f. The AITS will be programmed to exclude attorney/client phone calls from the
provisions of this policy.
g. The Department will retain the right to record and monitor all inmate telephone calls at
its Central Office as well as its facilities.
2. Recording/Monitoring
a. The actual recordings must be on a medium that is protected from editing or other
alterations.
b. Access to the equipment and its features must be authorized in writing by either the
Director of the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), Chief of Security, Facility
Manager/designee(s). Equipment service personnel must be escorted at all times by
an authorized staff member.
c. A DC-16A, Recording/Monitoring Area Access Log (Attachment D), shall be
maintained in the telephone recording/monitoring area. The following information shall
be entered into the DC-16A each time the telephone recording/monitoring area is
accessed:
(1) date of entry;
(2) time of entry;
(3) reason for visit;
(4) time of exit;
(5) name of person accessing area;
(6) agency name;
(7) agency division; and
(8) individual authorizing access.
d. Only Department personnel authorized in writing by the Director of the OPR, Chief of
Security, Facility Manager/designee(s) shall record/monitor an inmate telephone call
or a subsequent copy of a recording of an inmate telephone call.
e. The following information shall be documented by staff in the DC-16B,
Recording/Monitoring Log (Attachment E), when monitoring is performed as part of
an investigation or information is developed through random monitoring:
(1)

time and date;

(2)

inmate name and number;
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(3)

housing unit, telephone location, date and time frame (beginning and ending
frame);

(4)

type of activity detected;

(5)

name of staff making entry;

(6)

reason for monitoring; and

(7)

significant information detected.

f. Completed copies shall be sent to the appropriate staff (Facility Manager/designee,
Deputy Superintendent, Major(s), and Intelligence Captain/Lieutenant) on a need to
know basis.
g. The telephone recording and monitoring access area shall be used solely for
telephone recording and monitoring. Access to the monitoring area by Department
staff shall be limited to persons designated in writing by the Director of OPR, Chief of
Security, or Facility Manager/designee(s).
3. Divulging
a. The contents of a recorded/monitored inmate telephone call shall be divulged only
when necessary to safeguard the orderly operation of the facility, in response to a
court order, or in the prosecution/investigation of any crime.
b. Staff is prohibited from discussing or commenting on the contents of any
recorded/monitored interception except as noted above.
c. Duplication of an AITS recording for dissemination to staff or an outside criminal
justice agency shall be authorized in writing by the Director of OPR, Chief of Security,
Facility Manager/designee(s). Each duplicate shall contain only the requested
conversation(s).
d. All requests made to the Department for the purpose of monitoring, recording, and/or
duplicating by an outside criminal justice agency shall be submitted in writing to the
Director of the OPR, Chief of Security, Facility Manager/designee(s) for authorization.
Upon approval, the following additional information shall be included on the approved
request:
(1) requesting agency/staff identification;
(2) reason for the request; and
(3) a listing of each conversation recorded and/or listened to by:
(a) housing unit;
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(b) telephone location; and
(c) date and time frame of conversation (beginning and ending frame).
4. Retention/Storage
a. Evidence recordings shall be stored and secured to ensure availability for subsequent
actions. Any telephone recording containing information leading to administrative,
investigative, or legal action shall be maintained for a period of three years, or for the
duration of the proceedings, whichever is longer. These telephone calls shall be
saved to a compact disc (CD) from the computer hard drive.
b. Recorded media shall be protected from all metal detectors and/or magnets of any
form.
c. Completed logbooks shall be maintained and stored within the Recording/Monitoring
access area. Such logbooks shall be regarded as physical evidence and shall be
maintained in the chain of custody in accordance with Department policy 6.3.1,
“Facility Security.”
d. A recording that contains information which may be used as evidence shall be labeled
as “evidence” and identified with the following information:
(1) date;
(2) time frame (beginning and ending);
(3) telephone location;
(4) inmate name and number;
(5) recording facility; and
(6) name of the person designating the recording as evidence.
e. Recordings labeled as evidence shall be sealed and stored in an evidence locker
specifically designated for this purpose within the CD storage area. Access to the
evidence CDs shall be restricted to these employees designated in writing by the
Facility Manager/designee.
f. The AITS log record, generated by the automated system, will be stored with the
recording medium.
5. Reporting Procedures
a. The following information (see list below) shall be submitted on a weekly basis to the
Facility Manager/designee and include a brief summary of each incident of pertinent
information developed from recording and monitoring. A similar report shall be
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submitted to the Secretary/designee for all inmate telephone calls recorded and
monitored at Central Office locations. This report shall include, but not be limited to,
the following:
(1) drug trafficking;
(2) escape;
(3) extortion;
(4) Security Threat Group (STG) activity;
(5) planned criminal activity;
(6) plans for violence and/or disruption;
(7) threats to public safety;
(8) internal investigations; and
(9) any other topic representing a threat to the safety and security of the facility.
b. The total number of calls randomly monitored must be recorded daily and
summarized monthly. The monthly report shall be forwarded to the facility’s Security
Office and, if requested, the Department’s Central Office Security Division.
6. Training Requirements
a. Any Department employee who is also an investigative or law enforcement officer
(has power of arrest regardless of the jurisdiction) must be certified as required by 18
Pa.C.S. §5724 prior to engaging in any electronic surveillance. The course of training
is established by the Attorney General and the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP).
b. Any Department employee who is also an investigative or law enforcement officer
(has power of arrest regardless of the jurisdiction) must be certified as required by 18
Pa.C.S. §5724 prior to engaging in any electronic surveillance. The course of training
is established by the Attorney General and the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP).
c. Personnel authorized to monitor telephone calls shall be instructed and trained in the
following areas:
(1) the operation of recording and listening devices;
(2) preservation and collection of evidence;
(3) orientation to applicable state statutes;
(4) confidentiality requirements of the system; and
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(5) system security.
D. Transfer of Telephone Privileges
1. When an inmate transfers from one facility to another, and in order to eliminate the need
for completion of a new DC-8A and/or DC-8B upon arrival at the new facility, the Records
Supervisor shall ensure that a copy of the bus/van manifest is provided to the onsite
telephone service administrator/designee the day the inmate arrives.
2. The receiving facilities onsite telephone administrator/designee shall access the AITS,
de-activate the inmates account from his/her former facility and activate the inmates
account at the new facility.
3. Questions regarding the transfer of inmate telephone data should be directed to the
onsite telephone service administrator.
E. Pre-Paid Phone Account Refunds
1. When the inmate is scheduled for release, Inmate Accounting personnel at the facility will
contact the onsite phone administrator/designee to terminate the inmate’s pre-paid phone
account and determine any remaining balance.
2. Inmate Accounting personnel will include the refund amount for pre-paid phone accounts
with the pay-off figure for the inmate. The inmate’s account will be charged with the total
pay-off. Since there is no balance on the account for the pre-paid refund amount, the
account will be immediately credited for the amount as a code 14 (Miscellaneous Income)
to allow it to be closed out.
3. The facility will reimburse the inmate for the remaining balance of his/her pre-paid phone
account. Reimbursement will be for the full balance of the account (even if less than
$1.00).
4. The facility will keep a monthly Pre-Paid Balance Payout Log for reimbursement by the
vendor. A Pre-Paid Balance Payout Reimbursement Report (Attachment F) will be
emailed to the vendor on the last Friday of each month along with a general invoice
listing total monthly payouts of pre-paid phone card accounts for reimbursement. The
report should include the inmate’s name, Department number, date of release, amount of
the pre-paid refund (if any), and the refund date. A minimum of $10.00 will be in effect for
any reimbursement to occur. If the monthly amount is less than $10.00, the amount will
roll over to the next month.
5. The vendor will issue a check to each facility for the total amount of pre-paid phone
account refunds (if $10.00 or more).
6. Accounting entries for QuickBooks to establish a receivable and credit the control
account at the end of the accounting period include the following:
a.

1175 – Shops Receivable (facility name abbreviation); and
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b.

Page 13

2000 (14) – Inmate Control Account.

7. The QuickBooks entries upon receipt of the reimbursement check (or wire transfer)
include the following:
a. 1000 – Checking Account; and
b. 1175 – Shops Receivable (facility name abbreviation).
V.

SUSPENSION DURING AN EMERGENCY
In an emergency or extended disruption of normal facility operation, the Secretary, or
designee may suspend any provision or section of this policy, for a specific period.

VI.

RIGHTS UNDER THIS POLICY
This policy does not create rights in any person nor should it be interpreted or applied in
such a manner as to abridge the rights of any individual. This policy should be interpreted
to have sufficient flexibility to be consistent with law and to permit the accomplishment of
the purpose(s) of the policies of the Department of Corrections.

VII. RELEASE OF INFORMATION AND DISSEMINATION OF POLICY
A. Release of Information
1. Policy
This policy document is public information and may be released upon request.
2. Procedures Manual (if applicable)
The procedures manual for this policy is not public information and shall not be
released in its entirety or in part, without the prior approval of the Secretary of
Corrections or designee. This manual or parts thereof, may be released to any
Department of Corrections employee on an as needed basis.
B. Distribution of Policy
1. General Distribution
The Department of Corrections’ policy and procedure manuals (when applicable)
shall be distributed to the members of the Central Office Executive Staff, all Facility
Managers, and Community Corrections Regional Directors on a routine basis.
Distribution to other individuals and/or agencies is subject to the approval of the
Secretary of Corrections or designee.

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2. Distribution to Staff
It is the responsibility of those individuals receiving policies and procedures, as
indicated in the “General Distribution” section above, to ensure that each employee
expected or required to perform the necessary procedures/duties is issued a copy of
the policy and procedures.
VIII. SUPERSEDED POLICY AND CROSS REFERENCE
A. Superseded Policy
1. Department Policy
a.

DC-ADM 818, Automated Inmate Telephone System, issued March 10, 2005,
by Secretary Jeffrey A. Beard, Ph.D.

b.

DC-ADM 818-1, Automated Inmate Telephone System, issued August 31,
2005, by Secretary Jeffrey A. Beard, Ph.D.

c.

DC-ADM 818-2, Automated Inmate Telephone System, issued August 28,
2006, by Secretary Jeffrey A. Beard, Ph.D.

d.

DC-ADM 818-3, Automated Inmate Telephone System, issued October 2,
2006, by Secretary Jeffrey A. Beard, Ph.D.

2. Facility Policy and Procedures
This document supersedes all facility policy and procedures on this subject.
B. Cross Reference(s)
1. Administrative Manuals
a.
b.
c.
d.

DC-ADM 801, Inmate Discipline
DC-ADM 802, Administrative Custody Procedures
6.3.1, Facility Security
6.5.1, Administration of Security Level 5 Housing Units

2. ACA Standards
a. Administration of Correctional Agencies: 2-CO-5D-01
b. Adult Correctional Institutions: 4-4142, 4-4274, 4-4275, 4-4497
c. Adult Community Residential Services: None
d. Adult Correctional Boot Camp Programs: 1-ABC-3D-02, 1-ABC-5D-11
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e. Correctional Training Academies: None
3. Other
a. Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance Act, 18 Pa.C.S. §5701, et.Seq.
b. Public Utility Code, 66 Pa.C.S. §2907

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DC-ADM 818, Automated Inmate Telephone System
Glossary of Terms

Attorney – Any person licensed to practice law in any state or federal court and who
represents an inmate.
Automated Inmate Telephone System (AITS) – A computer based telephone system, which
enables the Department to monitor and control the use of inmate telephones.
Call Block – Placing a restriction on a specific number or series of numbers which prohibits
calling those numbers.
Calling Blocks – A calling block is a 15 minute period of time with which an inmate may make
phone calls.
Called Number Frequency – The ability to place a limit on the number of times an individual
number may be called in any given period.
Call Records – The data storage and retrieval of all calling information.
Compact Disk (CD) – A device used to digitally record a telephone conversation from the hard
drive of the AITS.
Department – The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections.
Electronic Surveillance – The interception, recording, monitoring, and/or divulging of inmate
telephone calls.
Facility Authorized Telephone Call – Telephone calls placed for inmates by staff on the
facility’s regular telephone system.
Facility Manager – The Superintendent of a State Correctional facility or State Regional
Correctional Facility, Commander of a Motivational Boot Camp, Director of a Community
Corrections Center or Director of the Training Academy.
Immediate Family Member – Immediate family members are defined as spouse (includes
valid common law), children, parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, and guardian, aunt or
uncle or step relatives in the aforementioned categories with whom the inmate has made
his/her home. Such relationships must be verifiable in the inmate’s facility records by the
counselor.
Inmate Personal Identification Number (IPIN) – The unique set of six digits assigned to
individual inmates, which enables them to access the AITS.
Inmate Telephone Authorization (DC-8A) – A Department form completed by inmates listing
the name, relationship, telephone number and address of individuals with whom the inmate is
requesting to maintain telephonic communications.
Inmate Telephone Authorization Supplement (DC-8B) – A Department form completed by
an inmate requesting changes to his/her approved telephone list.
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Glossary of Terms

Investigative or Law Enforcement Officer – Any officer of the United States or of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or political subdivision thereof, who is empowered by law to
conduct investigations of or to make arrests for offenses enumerated in the Wiretapping and
Electronic Surveillance Act, 18 Pa.C.S. §5701 et. Seq., and any attorney authorized by law
to prosecute or participate in the prosecution of such offense.
Minor – Any person under 18 years of age.
Multiple Long Distance Carriers – Companies which offer long distance calling requiring a
five digit code for access.
North American Calling Plan – The area includes all 50 states, Canada and parts of the
Caribbean Islands composed of the following with area codes: Bahamas (242), Bermuda (441),
Barbados (246), British Virgin Islands (284), Puerto Rico (787) and the U.S. Virgin Islands
(340).
Pennsylvania Relay Service – The Pennsylvania Relay Service is a telephone service that
allows persons to use TDDs to communicate with hearing and speech-impaired persons and,
vice versa, through the assistance of specially trained operators.
Recording Media – A digital audiotape or other electronic recording medium which stores the
human voice.
Recording/Monitoring (R/M) – The recording/monitoring of inmate telephone conversations.
Station-to-Station Calling – Enables the caller to speak to any answering party at the number
you have asked the Operator to dial.
Text Telephones (TTY/TTDs) – Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf (TDD) are
typewriter-like machines that permit hearing or speech-impaired persons to communicate by
typing messages back and forth over telephone lines.
Three Way Calling – A telephone company service which adds a third party with a different
telephone number to an existing conversation.

2

DC-8A

Inmate Name (first/last):

Inmate Telephone Services
Inmate Telephone Authorization Form
Inmate #:
Date:
Facility:

Housing Unit/Cell #:

Inmate IPIN #:

NUMBER(S) REQUESTED
(Area Code) Number
Name of Person(s)
Address (include City, State, Zip)
Date of Birth
Relation to You
1. ( )
2. ( )
3. ( )
4. ( )
5. ( )
6. ( )
7. ( )
8. ( )
9. ( )
10. ( )
11. ( )
12. ( )
13. ( )
14. ( )
15. ( )
16. ( )
17. ( )
18. ( )
19. ( )
20. ( )
( )
Attorney:
( )
Attorney:
Any telephone call that you make or receive in any state correctional facility, may be intercepted, recorded, monitored, or divulged. The only
exception is properly placed telephone calls to or from your attorney. _______________________________________ Inmate Signature
( ) All Approved

( ) All Approved Except:

Remarks:
Approving Signature:

DC-ADM 818, Automated Inmate Telephone System Policy

Title:

Date:

Attachment A

DC-8B
SUPPLEMENTARY AUTHORIZED INMATE TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania – Department of Corrections
IPIN#:
Inmate Name:
Inmate #:
1. REMOVAL FROM LIST OF AUTHORIZED INMATE TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Name
Relationship
Telephone #
Address

Date:
Date of Birth

Date

Date of Birth

Date

2. ADDITIONS TO LIST OF AUTHORIZED INMATE TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Name

3. All Approved:

Relationship

Telephone #

Address

All Approved Except:

Any telephone call, which you make or receive in any state correctional facility, may be intercepted, recorded, monitored, or divulged. The only
exception is properly placed telephone calls to or from your attorney._________________________________________ Inmate Signature
Remarks:

Approving Signature:

DC-ADM 818, Automated Inmate Telephone System Policy

Title:

Date:

Attachment B

DC-8C

Telephone System Discrepancy Form

Inmate Name:

Inmate Number:

Inmate Housing Unit/Cell Number:

All information must be completely filled in. Please be specific.
Telephone Number Called:

Inmate Telephone Used:

Time and Date of Call:
State exact nature of problem and/or concern: (Please print)

Please be advised that the following are some reasons that your call may be disconnected:

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.

Other party accepts a call waiting tone;
Other party trying to make a three-way call;
Playing with the buttons, switch hook or receiver during your call;
Answering machines;
All 800, 888, and 900 numbers; and
Any number that does not allow collect calls.

Signature:

DC-ADM 818, Automated Inmate Telephone System Policy

Date:

Attachment C

DC-ADM 818, Automated Inmate Telephone System Policy

Attachment D

Automated Inmate Telephone System
Recording/Monitoring Area Access Log
Date of
Entry

DC-16A

Time
of Entry
Time of
Exit

Name of Person
Accessing Area

Reason for Visit

Agency Name
and/or
Division

Individual Authorizing
Access

DC-ADM 818, Automated Inmate Telephone System Policy

Attachment E

Automated Inmate Telephone System
Record/Monitoring Log Book
Monitoring Date:

Time:

Name of Monitor:

Phone # Called

Inmate Name:

Inmate Number:

Type of Activity Detected
Drug Trafficking: