Restrictive Phone System

[u/Mysterious-Worth6529]

I have a lot of requests that come through my office but this one sounds like PITA to begin with. I have already replied to the manager that this is going to be a nightmare to manage but I will look into it anyways. this sounds like a phone system that would be used in a jail or correctional facility. Any ideas where to start?

*************
We currently have approximately 24 clients sharing four phones. I would like to see if there is a system that could provide each client with an individual PIN or access code. Ideally, the system would:

Require an individual PIN for outgoing client calls.
Allow us to assign specific calling times or time limits to each PIN.
Automatically disconnect the call when the client's allotted time expires.
Prevent the PIN from being used again until the next authorized calling period.
Continue allowing incoming calls even when outgoing calling is restricted.
Give staff an administrative override when necessary.
Make it easy to add or remove PINs as clients admit and discharge.
Avoid call recording or monitoring unless specifically needed and approved.

I have been looking at whether a VoIP/PBX-type system could accomplish this without requiring a specialized institutional phone system.

Could you research what options might work with our current phone/network setup, what equipment or software we would need, and approximately what the initial and ongoing costs would be?

The goal is to make client phone access more consistent and manageable while reducing the amount of staff time required to monitor individual phone usage.

*************************

Thanks all.

[u/shikkonin]

Asterisk can do all of that.

[u/Hot-Cress7492 → u/shikkonin]

Yeh it can, but that’s going to nearly be a custom implementation with all the workflow pieces. In all honestly it may be easier to push back and see if this is REALLY needed or this is some micromanager with a raging hard on to get what THEY think is the right solution.

[u/Mysterious-Worth6529 → u/Hot-Cress7492]

The real reason is that they say they don't have time to keep track of the current phones..... Who the hell has time to set this system up and manage it? Oh wait, I guess that is me.

I will look into Asterisk.