So you’re looking for a new phone system for your prison? Maybe because you’re facing one of these problems with your current phone system:
- Cordless phones drop out or crackle in certain parts of the building.
- You need a cordless phone that will allow you to contact the main offices from the furthest point of the prison.
- Thick walls are interfering with your phone signal.
If so, Yo Telecom is here to help you overcome these challenges. In this article, we’ll outline the phone systems that are available to you and show you which one is the best option for your prison.
What is the Best Phone System for Prisons?
There are three main types of phone systems available to you:
- Digital phone systems
- Internet phone systems (VOIP – Voice Over Internet Protocol)
- Hybrid phone systems
I’ll briefly introduce the three and give you some pros and cons about each system.
Digital Phone Systems for Prisons
A digital phone system is a physical phone system that would be located somewhere in your prison. They are small boxes that are usually mounted on a wall or placed in a cabinet. They connect to your phone lines and all the handsets you have in your building. A benefit of a digital phone system is its reliability. However, as it is restricted to physical lines (digital or analogue phone lines) it’s not the most future proof type of system. So you may find yourself needing to update your system again.
Internet (VoIP) Phone Systems for Prisons
An internet or VoIP phone system is a virtual phone system that will not be located in your prison. Instead, it will be located in a data centre somewhere in the world. The benefit of VoIP phone systems is that they help to reduce call charges. However, the major disadvantage is that if your internet cuts out, or is too slow, you won’t be able to make any calls at all. This means that if you go to an area of the prison where your internet connection isn’t great, such as underground or outside, your phones may start to crackle or cut out completely.
Hybrid Phone Systems for Prisons
The hybrid phone system is a mixture of a digital phone system and an internet phone system. It will be located in your prison and offers flexibility with your choice of cordless and fixed handsets. Hybrid phone systems are more reliable than both VoIP and digital phone systems. If one type of line fails for you, it can automatically route calls in and out from a backup line. Meaning you can make calls at all times. This is so important when emergencies can be just around the corner and you never know when you will need to make a call. Hybrid systems don’t really have any disadvantages, they really are the best of both worlds.
The Hybrid Phone System is the Best Phone System for Prisons
As well as being the most reliable phone system you can buy, hybrid phone systems also offer a range of other useful features for prisons. These include:
+ 100% Guaranteed Cordless Phone Coverage
Yo Telecom can guarantee 100% cordless phone coverage throughout your entire building. Your officers will be free to roam around and make calls from even the furthest point of the prison. Whether you’re supervising outside or checking on cells downstairs, your phone signal will be able to travel through the thickest of walls and gates. This will allow you to report back to the main offices if any trouble or medical emergencies occur.
+ Call Recording
Call Recording is a feature of the Yo Telecom phone system that will record every call you make or receive. Often you will receive very important phone calls. It can be hard to keep track and note down all of the important information at that time. With Call Recording you can listen to the call as many times as you need to, so you can note down every detail. You can also use your recordings for legal proceedings if necessary. In the event of medical emergencies, you can re-listen to the advice given by doctors over the phone.
+ Call Transfer
If you receive a call asking for a specific member of staff, but they’re on duty walking around the prison or are based in an office down the hall from you, you can easily transfer a call to their handset (fixed or cordless) with the touch of a button. This helps to speed up the communication process and gets questions answered quickly and efficiently. You can even transfer calls to an outside phone line or mobile if you need to – for example, if you urgently need to speak to a senior member of staff when they are not on the premises.
+ Business Continuity
Business Continuity ensures that communication can happen at all times. If your internet fails and your phone lines cut out, this feature allows back up lines to kick in so that you can always make calls.
If you like what you’ve read, you can book a demonstration of our phone systems. One of our expert telecoms consultants will come to your office to discuss your needs. We will go through all of your options until we have found the perfect solution. To get started, please call us on 02382 146115.
