Clackamas County Jail: Telephone Policy

The Sheriff's Office works with Telmate to simplify adult in custody telephone calls. More info below.

Policy Overview

Phone banksThe Clackamas County Jail provides telephone usage to unrestricted adults in custody so they can maintain personal communications and ties with friends and family to facilitate their future transition from jail life to community life.

Our policy is ensure the jail's safety, security, order, and efficient operation while using the least restrictive means possible to regulate general adult in custody telephone use.

Within a reasonable time frame following the admission process, adults in custody shall be allowed to use the phone to contact family/friends or their attorney -- unless the intake forms have not been completed due to the adult in custody's disruptive behavior.

Availability of Telephones

  1. Telephones are available in all housing units at the Jail, with the exception of disciplinary blocks.
  2. Telephone calls may be monitored or recorded to prevent introduction of contraband and to prevent violations of law and/or jail adult in custody rules.
  3. Unrestricted adults in custody may use these telephones to call collect locally or anywhere in the United States as long as the call recipient will accept the collect charges.
  4. The telephones are for outgoing calls only; they will not accept incoming calls.
  5. To add money to an adult in custody account to make calls, you can contact Telmate (the adult in custody telephone provider) at 866-516-0115 (toll-free).
  6. Telmate customer service representatives are available 24/7 to help you send money or answer your telephone questions.

Adding Telmate Funds Online

You can add adult in custody funds for telephone access anytime, day or night, from Telmate's website. Money is posted instantly to the adult in custody's account for use.

Adult in Custody Voicemail

Now Available: You can now leave a voicemail message for about the price of a local phone call. Call 866-516-0115 and follow the automated instructions.

Hours of Telephone Access

Telephones are generally available every day.

Adults in custody may use telephones in their housing area from late morning through late evening. The exact times authorized by the supervisor on duty are dependent on security issues. Calls automatically "time out" disconnect after 15 minutes.

Telephone Rules

These rules will be posted for adults in custody to see in their cell blocks. They are also listed in the adult in custody manual. In addition, adults in custody may ask deputies to explain any of the rules the do not understand. Telephone calls may be monitored or recorded to prevent introduction of contraband and to prevent violations of law and/or jail adult in custody rules.

  • Adults in custody must not damage the telephone equipment.
  • Adult in custody calls are limited to 15 minutes.
  • Profanity and yelling on the telephone are prohibited.
  • Harassment, intimidation, or threats over the telephone is prohibited.
  • Adults in custody may never call the victims/witnesses of crimes they are accused of committing.
  • The monitoring/recording of any call may be used in an adult in custody disciplinary hearing or court proceeding as evidence.

Violation of Telephone Rules

Telephones are a privilege -- therefore, they must be used in a manner that complies with the state laws, county ordinances, and jail adult in custody rules.

Adults in custody who misuse the telephone system may be warned, informally disciplined, lose their telephone privileges, or subject themselves to major Jail discipline and/or criminal action if and when appropriate.

Blocking Adult in Custody Telephone Calls

A citizen, upon request, may have his or her telephone number blocked from being called by the jail adult in custody telephone system. If you want your phone blocked, call 503-722-6221.

Blocking a telephone number can take up to 24 hours, excluding weekends and holidays.

Senate Bill 498 Reporting

Download the Senate Bill 498 report here (PDF).