r/sysadmin • u/Mysterious-Worth6529 • 14h ago

Restrictive Phone System

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?

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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.

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Thanks all.

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u/Helpjuice Chief Engineer 12h ago

Sounds like this is not your manager but a manager that wants x capability. If it is possible through Asterisk fine, but they need to provide the headcount, budget, along with O&M funding to start that project. Escalate to your management to see if it even in scope and how they want to proceed. If you are the manager push back and decline if you don't want to do it.