The Ministry of the Solicitor General has worked with its vendor to enhance the current Offender Management Telephone System (OTMS) to allow inmates to access both collect calls and “debit” calling:
- The old system only allowed for collect calling, which does not allow for calls to cell phones.
- Under the enhanced system, debit calling is enabled and funded by the ministry. Debit calling allows for calls to cell phones (live as of April 10).
The ministry will begin by providing inmates with $20 of calls and will monitor to determine whether this is adequate. Inmates will be able to use their funds as they see fit. This funding will allow for:
- 50 local calls (no maximum length, however, the ministry’s policy currently limits phone calls at 20 minutes);
- A 52-minute long-distance call; or
- A combination of the above.
Please note the phone system currently allows for organizations to register with the ministry to by-pass security features, such as three-way calling, call transfers and the use of the keypad. This exemption is provided for the purpose of facilitating the transfer of offender calls from a receptionist or automated telephone attendant system to the intended call recipient.
- To enable this feature, the ministry requires a form to be filled out and mailed to: MCS.TCS.OTMS@ontario.ca (see form here).