Inmate Phone and Tablet Services
An inmate telephone system, Synergy, is implemented in the following secure custody adult correctional facilities:
- Pine Grove Correctional Centre
- Prince Albert Correctional Centre
- Regina Correctional Centre
- Saskatchewan Hospital North Battleford
- Saskatoon Correctional Centre
- White Birch Remand Unit
All calls are recorded, except to lawyers and other privileged recipients. However, there are strict policies regarding listening to the recordings. Generally, an order from the court or an imminent threat to the safety and security of a facility is required.
The ability to gather and effectively use information related to inmates is critical to the safe operation of correctional facilities. The telephone system better protects victims and the public from unwanted and/or harassing telephone calls from inmates as well as provides corrections staff with tools to reduce the potential for fraudulent and illegal telephone use. Information about inmates associates and activities can be used to reduce incidents and illegal activities inside the facility and in the community.
The system allows outgoing calls only. However, the public may call Synergy customer service to leave a personal voicemail for an inmate for a charge.
Three-way calling is not permitted. All offenders will be blocked from dialing phone numbers that are confirmed to have facilitated a three-way call.
The phones are programmed for a maximum call of 20 minutes. The inmate/called party will receive a one-minute warning before the time limit is reached and the call is cut off.
1. Calls and Tablet Charges
If you are the recipient of an inmate's call, a recorded message will announce the inmate's name and facility, the type of call – collect or prepaid – and that the call will be recorded. The caller will be prompted to accept or reject the call by pressing a key on their touch tone phone.
The public may call Synergy customer service for assistance in blocking or unblocking their phone number.
Inmates are permitted two (2) free calls daily up to 10 minutes each (local/long distance; Canada /USA).
Family members and friends can leave a voicemail message at a cost of $1.00 per voicemail.
Phone Rates
| Prepaid | Unit | Cost |
| Prepaid Local (Max 20 mins) | Per Call | $1.25 |
| Prepaid Long Distance Calls (Max 20 mins) |
Connection Fee | $0.25 |
| Per Minute | $0.15 | |
| Total (20 min call) | $3.25 | |
| Prepaid International Calls (Max 20 mins) |
Connection Fee | $0.50 |
| Per Minute | $0.50 | |
| Total (20 min call) | $10.50 |
*All calls subject to applicable taxes.
| Collect | Unit | Cost |
| Collect Local | Per Call | $1.75 |
| Collect Long Distance Calls (Max 20 min) |
Connection Fee | $0.50 |
| Per Minute | $0.25 | |
| Total (20 min call) | $5.50 | |
| Collect International Long Distance (Max 20 mins) |
Connection Fee | $0.50 |
| Per Minute | $0.50 | |
| Total (20 min call) | $10.50 |
*All calls subject to applicable taxes.
Quick Connect (Credit Collect): friends and family enter credit card information to pay when receiving the call: $2 plus 5% of call charge ($1.75 Local, $0.25 per minute Long Distance) plus applicable taxes.
Call Bundles:
Packages can be purchased by friends and family online at www.inmatephones.ca or by calling Synergy customer service at 1-866-713-4761.
| Call Bundles Friends and Family Purchased |
Unit | Cost |
| Canada/US Destination Numbers. Max. 20 min. per call Expire after 30 days No refunds on partial usage Bundles are non-commissionable |
15 Call Bundle | $19.95 |
| 30 Call Bundle | $34.95 | |
| 60 Call Bundle | $59.95 | |
| Service Fee | Per Bundle | $2.00 +5% of bundle cost |
*All bundles are subject to applicable taxes.
Billing for a call only begins when the parties are connected.Tablet Rates
Tablets are available for use by inmates at select Facilities/Units.
| Inmate Tablet Rates | Unit | Cost |
| Messaging *Sent or received. Entertainment *Fees begin upon entering paid applications. |
Per minute | $0.10 |
| Friends & Family Paid Tablet Rates | Unit | Cost |
| Photo Upload (Friends and Family paid) | Per Photo | $0.35 |
| Messaging (Friends and Family paid) | Per Message Sent | $0.50 |
*Tablet rates are subject to applicable taxes.
2. Depositing Money in an Inmate’s Prepaid Telephone or Trust Account
Family members and friends can deposit funds into an inmate's telephone account at Synergy kiosks throughout Canada, by cash or credit card, or through the secure online webpage at www.inmatephones.ca.
Deposits can be made at any Synergy kiosk in Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Yukon, Nunavut, Northwest Territories, and Saskatchewan. For example, deposits can be made at the Calgary kiosk for an inmate located in Regina.
Trust account deposits for inmates can be made via a mobile device or home computer using Synergydeposits.ca. Trusts account deposits can also be made in person at any Synergy Kiosks throughout Canada.
The person depositing funds to an inmate's account will require the inmate's personal identification number (PIN). Inmates should provide their PIN to those who will require it to deposit money into their prepaid accounts or leave them a voicemail. An inmate's PIN can also be obtained from the receptionist at the correctional centre during regular business hours.
After entering the PIN, the kiosk will display the name of the inmate to confirm.
Prepaid funds are registered in the inmate's account immediately and a voicemail is sent to the inmate to notify him/her of the funds.
Reimbursement of money in an inmate's prepaid phone account can be arranged by contacting Synergy customer service.