Prison Voicemail Explained: How It Works and Why SecondRing Is a Better Alternative for Everyday Calls

What Is Prison Voicemail?

Prison Voicemail is a service designed to help friends and family stay in contact with someone who is in custody. Instead of relying only on traditional phone calls, prison voicemail services typically allow you to leave recorded voice messages, which the person in prison can then listen to and reply to through the service.

How Prison Voicemail Works (In Simple Terms)

While the exact steps can vary, prison voicemail usually works like this:

You create an account with the service
You’re given a number or a way to send recorded messages
You record a voicemail-style message for the person in custody
They access the message through their approved prison phone process
They may be able to reply with their own voice message

For many families, this is useful because it’s asynchronous: you can leave a message even if you can’t answer a call at that moment.

Prison Voicemail Limitations: What You Should Know

Prison voicemail services can be helpful, but they also come with limitations that can make them frustrating for everyday use.

1) Usage can be credit-based or time-limited

Many services in this space operate using minutes, credits, bundles, or pay-as-you-go models. That can make costs harder to predict—especially if you’re using the service frequently.

2) Not always as “instant” as a normal call

Even if you send a message quickly, the person receiving it may only be able to access it at certain times.

3) Not built for your daily life

Prison voicemail is purpose-built for a very specific scenario. If what you actually want is a low-cost way to receive calls reliably day-to-day, it’s not always the best fit.

Best Alternative to Prison Voicemail for Everyday Inbound Calls: SecondRing

SecondRing is an alternative option, but the same prison communication rules still apply. Calls made within the prison environment are recorded/monitored by the prison system; SecondRing itself does not record calls. If your goal is simple—“I don’t want to miss calls, and I want it to be affordable”—SecondRing is often the better choice. Prison communications are typically subject to monitoring and regulations.

SecondRing offers unlimited inbound calls

That means you can receive incoming calls without worrying about per-minute inbound charges.

SecondRing plans (simple and predictable)

Option 1 (Best value): £2.50/month
If you have 4G/5G or Wi-Fi, you get unlimited inbound calls via the app.

Option 2: £8.50/month
If you don’t have stable internet, you still get unlimited inbound calls, plus 1,000 minutes to divert calls to your mobile — no internet required.

✅ Sign up for SecondRing here: https://secure.secondring.co.uk/register/

Prison Voicemail vs SecondRing: Which One Should You Use?

Choose Prison Voicemail if:

You specifically need message-based communication with someone in custody
Your use case is centred around prison communication rules and processes
You need a tool designed for that exact environment

Choose SecondRing if you want:

Unlimited inbound calls with a predictable monthly cost
A solution for everyday life (personal, travel, business, or just reliability)
The flexibility to receive calls via the app or divert to a mobile number
A plan that can work even when you have no stable internet

Why SecondRing Is Better Than Prison Voicemail for Most People (Outside That Specific Use Case)

Prison voicemail is a specialised service. SecondRing is a daily-driver.

Here’s why many people prefer SecondRing as their “default” calling option:

1) Unlimited inbound calls (big differentiator)

SecondRing focuses on something most people want: receive inbound calls without worrying about cost.

2) Works with or without stable internet

Connected? Use the app (£2.50/month)
Not connected? Divert to your mobile (£8.50/month + 1,000 minutes)

3) Easier to budget

SecondRing pricing is clear, and you’re not constantly thinking about minutes just to receive calls.

4) Built for everyday convenience

If your goal is to stay reachable—SecondRing is designed for that from the start.

How to Sign Up and Download SecondRing

Sign up for SecondRing: https://secure.secondring.co.uk/register/
After signing up, go to Menu → App Install
Install the app for Android or Apple (iOS)

Welcome to SecondRing — download the app and start receiving unlimited inbound calls.

FAQ

Is Prison Voicemail the same as a normal voicemail service?

Not really. Prison voicemail services are designed around prison communication processes and controls. They’re typically used to exchange recorded voice messages with someone who is in custody.

What is the best alternative to Prison Voicemail?

If you’re looking for an alternative for everyday inbound calls , SecondRing is a strong option because it provides unlimited inbound calls with plans starting at £2.50/month.

Can SecondRing work without internet?

Yes. SecondRing includes an option for £8.50/month that provides unlimited inbound calls plus 1,000 minutes to divert calls to your mobile, so no internet is required to receive calls.

How much does SecondRing cost?

SecondRing offers:

£2.50/month for unlimited inbound calls via the app (4G/5G/Wi-Fi required)
£8.50/month for unlimited inbound calls + 1,000 diversion minutes to mobile (no internet required)