How do I know if I have a block?
Generally, the phone companies will try to contact you to let you know that there will be a block placed if there is not a payment made, but those calls are easy to miss.
The quickest way to find out is by contacting the provider of calls for the facility. Again, this is commonly MCI or CBS.
Also, your personal phone service provider may place a block on calls, and contacting them is usually the only way to find out.
And yes, sometimes you will get sent back and forth between the correctional provider and your service provider. Generally, the only way to get out of that cycle is to stand firm with the correctional billing or convince your personal service to contact the correctional service via three-way to confirm. It can be a hassle.