Securus Technologies announced it will discontinue its Outbound Voicemail service effective January 31, 2022.
The decision is part of the company’s plan to improve affordability, increase access, and better respond to community needs.
“A number of consumers expressed reservations about the Outbound Voicemail service, prompting a review of the service,” Dave Abel, President and CEO of Aventiv Technologies, parent company of Securus Technologies. “We found that the cost of third-party fees made it impossible to reach a price point that was accessible and affordable.”
The Outbound Voicemail service provided incarcerated individuals with an opportunity to leave a recorded message when an outbound call goes unanswered. In order to comply with correctional facility security policies, the voicemail is recorded on the Securus system and a text message is sent to the dialed number, containing a link with instructions on how to access and pay for the voice message.
Depending on the length of the voicemail, the cost may vary. But on average, Outbound Voicemail messages cost approximately $3.42.
Outbound Voicemail will be available until January 31, 2022. After that date, consumers can utilize Securus’ other services, which include phone calls, e-messages, VideoGrams, and video connections, to stay connected.
Earlier in December, Securus announced reduction in the average cost of its calls to $0.13/minute, or $1.95 for a 15-minute phone call.
Headquartered in Carrollton, Texas, Securus Technologies, a subsidiary of Aventiv Technologies, serves more than 3,450 public safety, law enforcement and corrections agencies and over 1,100,000 incarcerated individuals across North America.
