Inmate text services allow family and friends of inmates to stay in contact via a special tablet device that acts like a simplified cellphone, enabling inmates to send approved contacts messages directly.
These services allow inmates to access email and prepaid money orders while also being monitored by staff from correctional facilities.
Legal Issues
Many jails and prisons have implemented secure messaging kiosks or systems that enable inmates to communicate with approved contacts via secure messaging systems or kiosks, monitored by correctional staff. Such systems have numerous advantages including improving inmate morale and supporting rehabilitation initiatives while keeping families connected while they’re incarcerated.
However, inmate text messaging presents numerous legal concerns. Privacy considerations relate to whether service providers can effectively monitor incoming and outgoing messages as well as how long data retention occurs. Furthermore, it remains unclear whether such services fall under the Stored Communications Act of 1986 (SCA).
As well, some service providers have privacy policies which are either vague or open to interpretation, such as Securus. Securus requires users to agree that all information “related” to their usage of their service belongs to the contracting jurisdiction during its term; this seems to include messages received and is much broader than exceptions under SCA for electronic communications providers.
Other privacy issues involve delivery times and character limits on outgoing messages; many services impose limitations of 1,500 characters or less to keep messages short, restricting what the inmate may write about.
Safety Concerns
Text messaging provides a viable solution to some of the challenges associated with keeping inmates connected with loved ones while behind bars. Family members can use this convenient service to send updates and photos at a fraction of the cost associated with traditional phone calls, but before adopting this trend in correctional facilities it’s essential that legal and ethical considerations be carefully evaluated first.
Some prisons and jails partner with third-party providers to offer email services or kiosks that enable inmates to communicate electronically with one another. Usually these systems operate within closed networks under surveillance from correctional staff; these platforms may include limitations such as character limits that prevent inmates from communicating sensitive material.
Others have implemented tablet programs that enable inmates to communicate via electronic messages, use approved applications, and access educational materials. These systems may be managed by third-party providers and may include content restrictions and security measures; however, many charge families per message sent causing financial hardship for many families.
Additionally, many federal inmates are currently waiting to hear from their loved ones as NCDAC has suspended mailing and hand delivery of correspondence to all offender accounts. Though no definitive explanation was given by NCDAC for this decision, it could likely be linked to ongoing security concerns.
Convenience
Text messaging with inmates has become an increasingly popular way for loved ones to stay in touch, offering an easy, safe, cost-effective and discreet form of communication that’s safer than phone calls or letters. Furthermore, this form of inmate texting services has the power to strengthen family bonds while easing stress during incarceration.
As part of your search, it is crucial that you find a company with stringent security protocols and guidelines, to ensure that your messages do not fall into the wrong hands. Furthermore, the top companies should offer features like no read receipt and “no read receipt”, along with providing free production-class printers, papers and ink as part of the service package.
An affordable way to stay connected with an inmate, federal inmate text messaging apps provide a simple and cost-effective solution for keeping loved ones at home connected with each other. They allow communication via text, photos and video messages; some even feature online drawing applications and mobile-friendly websites and apps for convenient communications with loved ones behind bars. Monthly plans usually cost less than traditional prison phone calls while many even provide money back guarantees before signing up – providing a great opportunity to test services before making commitments.
Cost
Advocates may have made significant strides toward capping phone rates for inmates, yet new research shows that costs are shifting toward other services like video calling and electronic messaging that don’t fall under price caps that apply to in-state and interstate telephone rates; prison telecom companies are instead exploiting those incarcerated, according to a report from Prison Policy Initiative.
GTL/ViaPath and Securus currently dominate the prison messaging market in most states, boasting state monopolies that charge different rates to use their services; for instance in Delaware it costs $25 for someone on the outside to send messages, while those incarcerated can use tablet computers to read and respond to them for $5 per minute.
Text messaging offers families and friends an easy, cost-effective means of keeping in contact with loved ones in prison, but costs should be carefully evaluated in light of benefits. Incarcerated individuals can communicate through a secure computer kiosk or tablet located within the correctional facility.
JPay charges users sending electronic messages to an inmate through its system for sending electronic correspondence using stamps; each message requires one stamp while any attachment including photographs incurs additional stamp fees based on facility. Stamp prices differ by facility.