City Tele Coin
City Tele Coin (CTC): How to Add Money, Set Up Phone Calls and Commissary Deposits
Download the City Tele Coin App
The CityTeleCoin app is available free on iOS and Android. Use it to video visit, send messages, share photos, and manage your account from your smartphone.
iOS Version
Version 16.0.0, June 2026
Android Version
Available on Google Play
App Features
Video visits, messaging, photos, payments
Developer
City Tele-Coin Company, Inc., since 1986
- 12+
- States Covered
- 180+
- Facilities Supported
- 5 of 5
- Services Offered
- Yes
- Mobile App Available
City Tele Coin Inmate Communication Overview
How do I add money to City Tele Coin for an inmate? Visit citytelecoin.com and log in to your account. Select Add Funds, choose the account type (phone account or commissary deposit), enter the amount, and pay by debit card, credit card, or money order. You can also add money through the City Tele Coin mobile app. Search for City Tele-Coin in the iOS App Store or Google Play Store to download it. For live help call CTC customer service at 318-756-1114 between 7 AM and 7 PM Central time seven days a week.
How do I set up a CTC account for the first time? Go to citytelecoin.com and create a free DirectPay account linked to your phone number. Add the facility where your loved one is held by searching the facility name. Add funds via debit card, credit card, or money order. Once your account is funded the inmate can call your registered number directly from facility phones. You can also purchase a prepaid calling card at a CTC lobby kiosk inside the facility if you visit in person. For setup help call 318-756-1114.
What is the difference between a phone account and a commissary deposit at City Tele Coin? The phone account funds are for inmate calls to your registered number. The commissary account goes to the inmate trust account for use at the facility store. These are two separate accounts and funds cannot be transferred between them. Funding the phone account does not fund commissary and vice versa. Always select the correct account type before making a deposit to avoid sending funds to the wrong account.
City Tele Coin has provided inmate telephone services since 1986 and serves county jails and local detention centers primarily in the South and Southeast United States. CTC is a regional provider and its facilities are concentrated in Louisiana, Texas, Tennessee, Alabama, and surrounding states. Unlike larger national providers such as Securus or GTL, CTC is family owned and operated and handles its own programming, installation, and field service in-house without outsourcing. All CTC systems are tested in-house before installation.
City Tele Coin Services
Communication services offered by City Tele Coin and what each one includes.
Messaging
Send and receive electronic messages through the CityTeleCoin app at contracted facilities. Messages are reviewed by staff before delivery.
Electronic messaging available through the CityTeleCoin app at contracted facilities. Message availability varies by facility. Contact CTC at 318-756-1114 to confirm messaging at your specific facility.
Video Calls
Schedule and receive video visits through the CityTeleCoin app on iOS and Android. Video visits available at facilities with CTC video kiosks or tablets.
Video visits available through the CityTeleCoin app at facilities with CTC video kiosks or tablets. Schedule visits through citytelecoin.com or the CTC app. Contact CTC at 318-756-1114 for video visit availability.
Photo Sharing
Send and receive photos through the CityTeleCoin app at participating facilities. Photo content is reviewed by facility staff before delivery.
Photo sharing available through the CityTeleCoin app at participating facilities. Photos are reviewed by staff before delivery. Availability varies by facility contract.
Phone Calls
Fund a prepaid account to receive inmate-initiated calls at City Tele Coin facilities.
Calls are inmate-initiated. You cannot call the facility to speak with an inmate. Interstate rates are FCC-regulated.
Set Up Phone CallsMoney Transfer
Deposit funds to inmate commissary trust accounts through the City Tele Coin platform.
Processing fees apply. Debit card, credit card, and money order options available.
Set Up Money TransferCity Tele Coin Coverage
Facility types and geographic regions served by this provider.
Facility Types
Geographic Coverage
12 states, concentrated in the South and parts of the Midwest
Coverage Notes
City Tele Coin serves a limited regional network. It is the exclusive provider at its contracted facilities. For facilities outside its network, Securus, GTL, or ICSolutions are more common alternatives.
Facilities Served by City Tele Coin
Sample correctional facilities where this provider operates. Full coverage list available on the provider's website.
City Tele Coin Pricing Overview
Approximate pricing for common services. Exact rates may vary by facility and state contract.
City Tele Coin Fee Schedule
- Account Registration
- No cost to create a CTC account.
- Free
- Phone Calls
- Interstate rates are FCC-regulated. In-state rates vary by facility contract.
- $0.14–$0.21/min
- Money Transfer
- Processing fee varies by transfer amount and payment method.
- Fee applies
Prices are estimates based on publicly available information and may change. Confirm current pricing on the City Tele Coin website before use.
City Tele Coin — Pros & Cons
An honest look at the strengths and limitations of City Tele Coin.
Strengths
- Long-established provider with decades of experience in county jail communication.
- Single account covers both phone calls and commissary deposits at most CTC facilities.
- Regional focus means dedicated customer service in its core markets.
- Straightforward prepaid account model that is easy to understand.
- FCC-regulated interstate rates provide cost protection for long-distance families.
Limitations
- Video visits, messaging, and photos are available only at facilities where the CityTeleCoin app services are contracted.
- Small network, 180 facilities across 12 states. Not useful for most families nationally.
- Regional concentration means it is the correct provider only in specific states.
- The CTC app has a 3.3 star app store rating, and reliability reviews are mixed.
- Less name recognition means families often search for other providers first.
Frequently Asked Questions: City Tele Coin
Common questions from families about using City Tele Coin.
- How do I know if City Tele Coin serves my loved one's facility?
- Visit citytelecoin.com and use the facility search tool. Enter the facility name, city, or state. If it appears, CTC holds the phone contract there. If it does not, the facility uses a different provider, Securus, GTL, or ICSolutions are the most common alternatives at county jails.
- How do I set up a calling account with City Tele Coin?
- Go to citytelecoin.com and create a prepaid account linked to your phone number. Add funds via debit card, credit card, or money order. Once your account is funded, the incarcerated individual can call your number directly from facility phones. Calls are inmate-initiated, you cannot initiate contact.
- Does City Tele Coin offer video visits?
- Yes, at facilities where CTC provides video visits through the CityTeleCoin app for iOS and Android. Video visits are not available at every CTC facility, and policies vary by facility. Check citytelecoin.com for your specific facility or call CTC customer service at 318-756-1114 to confirm availability.
- Can I send commissary money through City Tele Coin?
- Yes. In addition to phone calls, City Tele Coin processes commissary deposits at most of its contracted facilities. Log into your account and navigate to the money transfer section. Add funds via debit card, credit card, or money order. Processing fees apply, and funds are typically credited within one to two business days.
- Is City Tele Coin available at state prisons or federal facilities?
- No. City Tele Coin serves county jails and local detention centers in its regional markets. State prisons typically use GTL or Securus for phone services. Federal Bureau of Prisons facilities use ConnectNetwork. If your loved one is transferred from a CTC county jail to a state prison, you will need to set up a new account with the appropriate state-level provider.
- Why does my City Tele Coin video visit say connected then immediately disconnect?
- This usually means the call dropped during the initial connection between the app and the facility system. Work through these steps in order. First, switch from mobile data to a stable WiFi connection, or from WiFi to mobile data if the signal is weak. Second, force-close the CityTeleCoin app completely and reopen it. Third, check your phone settings and confirm the app has permission to use the camera and microphone. Fourth, update the app to the latest version from the App Store or Google Play. Fifth, try a different device if one is available. If the problem continues, call CTC customer service at 318-756-1114 with your account details and the time of the failed call.
- What is the real cost of a City Tele Coin deposit after fees?
- CTC charges processing fees on every deposit, so the amount available for calls or commissary is less than the amount you pay. User reports indicate that a $20 deposit may leave only about $12 to $14 of usable talk time after fees. Fee amounts vary by payment method and deposit amount, and policies vary by facility. Always check the fee shown on the payment confirmation screen before completing a deposit, and keep the confirmation number in case you need to dispute a charge.
- Why did my City Tele Coin deposit disappear or never arrive?
- First, confirm you funded the correct account type. CTC keeps phone account funds and commissary deposits in separate accounts, and funds cannot be moved between them. Second, allow one to two business days for the deposit to post, since funds are typically credited within one to two business days. Third, check your bank or card statement to confirm the charge actually posted. Fourth, save your confirmation number from the deposit receipt. If the charge posted but the deposit never appears in the account, call CTC customer service at 318-756-1114 with your confirmation number.
Related Providers
Other inmate communication providers you may want to consider.
Securus Technologies
45+ states
Securus Technologies - Phone Calls, Video Visits and Messaging at 1,200+ County Jails and State Prisons
View GuideICSolutions
15+ states
ICSolutions - Inmate Phone Calls and Communication Services at State and Federal Facilities
View GuideNCIC Inmate Communications
20+ states
Phone, tablet, and video services for regional correctional facilities
View GuideGet Started with City Tele Coin
Visit the official City Tele Coin website to create your account, or browse supported facilities and compare alternatives to find the best option for your family.