Inmate messaging provides families and friends a means of staying in contact without incurring costly phone calls. Services provided through for-profit companies with state monopolies charge various fees.
Send messages directly to an inmate’s cell phone or tablet using this service. Families needing to reach their loved ones incarcerated must add them as contacts using either booking number or name before purchasing credits to send messages.
Getting Out
While incarcerated, inmates don’t have access to regular cell phone text messaging services like those found on cell phones or regular text messaging apps like WhatsApp. Instead, most jails and prisons utilize secure messaging systems which enable inmates to contact approved contacts through a kiosk or website monitored by facility staff; additionally they may receive tablets with limited content available that include messages, games and educational material for communication between inmates.
Many inmates can remain connected with friends and family using the GettingOut website or mobile app as long as there is funds in their inmate account. Messages and photos sent from either source will arrive free at their tablet device. Furthermore, inmates can purchase additional credits in order to send more messages or access other content through their tablet device.
Families looking to stay informed on an inmate’s status can register with VINE so as to receive notifications whenever their custody status changes. When VINE calls each registered number until receiving confirmation through PIN; otherwise calls will continue being placed periodically over four days until confirmation has been confirmed by PIN or an alternate notification method has been accepted.
CenturyLink allows inmates to use their own cell phones without signing a user agreement, however inmates must maintain at least $10 balance in their accounts to receive texts or make phone calls.
Email Services
Many prisons and jails provide email services such as Corrlinks or JPay to allow inmates to communicate electronically with approved contacts. Emails may be sent and received using kiosks or tablets provided by the facility; these systems are typically monitored; inmates may not have permission or privileges to respond to messages they don’t have privileges for.
Additionally, these systems often include Video Visitation capabilities that enable inmates and their loved ones to communicate face-to-face via video conference. While such features may be expensive, they can help maintain strong bonds with those behind bars.
Text-to-email services provide another popular option for inmates. Inmates use their phones’ texting apps to send emails which are then converted into email format and sent directly to approved contacts. These third-party providers are typically subject to facility staff review for any inappropriate or offensive content that might appear.
Though email can be more cost-effective and provides greater security than its alternative forms, these services can still be costly and less affordable than prison phone rates. They may even incur per minute charges which make their costs even less affordable than traditional prison rates.
Additionally, these services lack transparency about their usage of inmate data. Instead they should offer clear guidelines, procedures, disclosure requirements, and protections to inmates regarding how their email, instant messaging or text message data is accessed by these companies behind these services.
Tablet Programs
Tablet technology has made rapid strides into jails and prisons across the nation in recent years, providing inmates with texting capabilities, playing games, taking classes and more through closed networks that adhere to stringent security measures and content restrictions. Programs operated by third-party vendors often charge the inmate or their family member as the cost for use passes along to them.
Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center inmates now have access to tablets for communicating with family, listening to music and playing games. The program was officially implemented in November and each inmate now has their own tablet device. Unfortunately, some inmates have complained of keyboards disappearing or slow connections leading to apps freezing or video calls dropping due to this program; others have complained of keyboards becoming disabled during video calls or dropping altogether.
According to the Department of Corrections (DOC), every new inmate admitted will receive a tablet when they pass the admission process and have access to books, TV and movie libraries as well as paying video calls with outside world for an additional fee and sending messages through an app.
Prisoners incarcerated can also utilize JPay services on their tablet computers to send letters back home through this messaging platform for just $0.25 each message sent, both prisoners and approved contacts may use it.
Inmate Communication Apps
There are various inmate communication apps that enable approved contacts to text their incarcerated loved ones from any correctional facility and jurisdiction, with options varying according to correctional facility and jurisdiction. Many third-party vendors offer these apps with specific features and costs associated with them – popular ones being GTL GettingOut, JPay, ConnectNetwork and Corrlinks.
GettingOut provides a secure internal messaging system, enabling friends and family of individuals in jail to send secure text and photo messages directly to an inmate from their mobile device. Inmates will see these messages the next time they sign into their GettingOut account; editing pictures, applying filters and checking-in on Foursquare are also allowed through this app. Messages sent from outside jail cost 25 cents each.
ConnectNetwork is a free-to-use app that enables friends and family members to stay in touch with individuals incarcerated through their phones or tablets. Approved contacts of inmates may use ConnectNetwork to send and receive messages, email attachments, eCards and video visits (where available). Inmates also can purchase prepaid messages or reply messaging services directly through this mobile application.
Corrlinks is an inmate communications service that allows family, friends and inmates to exchange electronic communication with one another in prison settings, helping reduce isolation while strengthening connections with people outside. Prisoners can use Corrlinks for uploading photo and video messages for a fee; family and friends may send unlimited inmate reply letters.