Abstract: Methods and systems for automating messaging in an institutional setting by assigning a resident of an institution a control mechanism, providing the resident access to a messaging system via a telecommunications system, and providing one or more message options to the resident as a function of the resident's control mechanism.

Abstract: Methods and systems for customer administered calling controls in an institutional setting comprising receiving customer control information from a customer outside of an institution where the customer control information comprising one or more control mechanisms and providing a resident of the institution, through a telephone network, phone services subject to the one or more control mechanisms.

Abstract: Tthe present invention seeks to avoid origination or continuation of unauthorized calls, while also avoiding the inconvenience, expense and uncertainty for call parties resulting from premature termination of calls because of erroneous or ill-founded suspicions that unauthorized activities are occurring. By permitting one or more parties to a call that is deemed suspicious to provide information establishing proper authorization, or innocent mistake, security procedures can be assured while avoiding improper false-positive determinations that unauthorized calling activities have occurred. When suspicions cannot be overcome, the called party is requested to terminate the call and a separate continuation link is established to the called party.