How to Text an Inmate A new texting program lets prisoners communicate with family and friends from inside their jail cell. It's not without dangers. Prisoners are allowed to make use of the tablet to send messages but cannot access the internet, social media, or other options. The messages they send are checked. The tablet can also be searched to find specific phrases or words. Texting from Jail It's difficult to use text messages in prison because there are strict rules and regulations concerning how inmates can interact with outsiders. Most prisons have secure email systems, like JPay or CorrLinks that permit inmates to write emails to their family and friends, however, the emails are monitored by staff and may not be as secure like an individual's email service. Additionally, inmates are able to use electronic messages through the same institutions. Prisoners are charged per text message. The systems that are proprietary to them are managed by private firms. The services offered can cost from 50 cents for each message, up to $1.25 for one text message, depending on the facility and the specific messaging system utilized by that facility. The message is charged a cost and is billed by the sender using the credits they've bought on the ConnectNetwork Account. The payment can be made via credit card or debit card. Inmates then view the message on a device or laptop screen. They can respond electronically to the sender or by writing an email, based on the facility. Costs for sending a message are different for each facility. They are listed in the site's messaging rates section. Users can check the current applicable Messaging Rates by signing into your ConnectNetwork account and navigating to the page for messaging of the inmate they wish to talk with. In prison, texting There's never been a simpler way to maintain contact through messaging or email with a loved one who is incarcerated. Simply sign up and start communicating with your inmate! SMS Texting Program only works when the establishment you're in allows it, as well as if you have an email messaging account. The message will be sent to the cell phone of your friend or tablet. Prisoners will review them and then respond within 24 hours. The message will be sent to inmates via the app available to inmates, or via a kiosk that they use from their mobile. It's important to note that messages sent electronically are subject to monitoring and review. They are also subject to search acceptance and disclosure by correctional facilities or other authorized personnel. It's also the case for data saved on your device. It raises privacy issues for PPI, who points out that it's easy to think of companies such as Securus or JPay making money from electronic messages through the sale of access to prison users' private messages to relatives attorneys, courts and lawyers. The jails and prisons offer various electronic messaging services. There is often a restriction on the types of messages that can be sent. For instance, inmate-to-inmate communications which are banned by some prisons under the Prisoner Communications Act. The technology is often limited in character count and makes it difficult to archive any written communications. Texting to Inmates Prisoners are able to communicate with friends and family by a myriad of means. Prisons inmate texting usually have email services and kiosks that incarcerated individuals can access messages sent to them by families and friends who live on the outside. Also, inmates are able to receive photo cards and letters. In some prisons, inmates may text one another. But, this method is not permitted by most prison authorities and text messages will likely be monitored. Most correctional institutions have the JPay program, which allows loved ones and pen pals can send messages, photos, and VideoGrams to incarcerated prisoners. To send a message, the recipient must be stamped. Stamps are required to send attachments or VideoGrams. On the internet or at select retailers Stamps are readily accessible. GettingOut and a few other companies have designed apps that permit incarcerated individuals to communicate with their loved ones using the tablets that are provided by these businesses. Inmates are glued to their tablets throughout the day, much as teenagers wait to receive DMs from their crushes. Their profiles are advertised on TikTok as well as pen pals in prison. websites provide tips on the best way to use tablets. Inmates can also receive letters from family members who do not possess JPay accounts using the mail system in their prison. Each electronic message must be reviewed like that of postage, and the individual may opt not to print or open the emails of certain people. Sending Texts to the Family The use of text messages by inmates is seen as a beneficial facilitator to families. The benefits for families are connections with loved ones, the convenience of it as well as ease of use. Some also found the added security feature a negative barrier as it reduced the conveniences of family communication and reduced engagement through the addition of additional steps to send a message. One person said "Our group texting system works great to manage logistics, but it can get out of control." "And it can take a lot of time to keep up with the messages. ".