How to Text an Inmate A new texting program allows inmates to remain in contact with family and friends from within the confines of jail. It's not without pitfalls. Prisoners are allowed to use the tablet for sending messages but cannot access social media, emojis or other features. They can also have their messages watched. It is possible to search for specific words or phrases. The texting of Jail There are many rules that govern how inmates may contact outside within the confines of their prison. Most prisons have secure email system, such as JPay or CorrLinks which allow prisoners to send emails to family members, however the emails are monitored by the staff, and might not be as secure like an individual's mail service. The same facilities also provide electronic messaging services to inmates. These are systems that are owned by companies that charge inmates and their families an amount for every message that is sent. Prices for these services can vary between 50 cents per message up to $1.25 per message, based on the institution you're employing and the messaging platform they are using. The cost for sending a message is paid by the person sending it to the inmate using credits that they have purchased from the ConnectNetwork account, either by debit or credit card. The person receiving the message then sees the message on their tablet or computer screen and may respond to it electronically sender or by writing an email, based upon the service. Costs to send a message differ by the facility. They are listed on the website's Messaging rates section. The users can review the rates for messaging by logging into your ConnectNetwork account, then navigating to the page for messaging of the inmate they wish to talk with. The Prisoner Texts It's never been simpler to maintain contact through message or email with your loved ones in prison. Join today to begin communicating with your inmate. SMS Texting Program is only available in the event that your institution allows it, and you also have an existing Email Messaging Account. Your inmate will receive your messages on his or her cellphone. The inmates will be able to read the messages and then respond within the 24 hours. Your message will be distributed to prisoners via the app available to inmates, or a kiosk they can connect to from their phone. It is important to note that correctional facilities or authorized personnel may be able text inmate to monitor, look up, review, approve and disclose electronic messages. Similar rules apply to information that are stored on devices. PPI is worried regarding privacy and security, since it could easily envision that businesses such as Securus and JPay would monetize electronic messages by selling them to lawyers, family members, or even courts. Prisons and jails provide different electronic messaging systems. However, there is often a restriction on what messages can be transmitted. This includes inmate-to-inmate messages, which are banned by some prisons as per the Prisoner Communications Act. Furthermore, the technology usually has limits on characters, which render the preservation of any form of written communication difficult. Texting Prisoners Prisoners have access to a variety of methods for communicating with family members or pen pals. Inmates can receive messages from their friends and families on the outside through email and kiosks. Additionally, prisoners are able to receive photos and letters. Certain prisons allow prisoners to communicate via text messages However, this is typically not allowed by the prison administration and the texts are likely being monitored. A lot of correctional facilities offer facilities that have a JPay program, which allows pen pals and loved ones can send messages, photos or videos to detained individuals. For each message, a stamp is required. Stamps are needed to send attachments or VideoGrams. In select online or retail stores Stamps are readily accessible. GettingOut and a few other companies have designed apps that permit people in prison to contact their loved ones via tablets offered by these firms. Inmates are glued to their tablet all day long, just as teens are waiting to receive DMs from friends. TikTok is the place where they post ads Pen pals from prison websites offer tips on how to use tablets. Inmates also can receive letters from loved ones that don't possess JPay accounts through the mail system in their facility. Inmates are able to choose whether or not print some messages or to open others. Every electronic message is reviewed in the same way similar to mail received. SMSing Family members Families see inmate texting as an excellent device. Loved ones cited emotional connectedness, convenience, and usability as the main benefits. Many also considered the security features a disadvantage as it reduced the conveniences of family communication and reduced engagement through the addition of additional steps for sending a text message. "Our family text is great for logistical stuff, but it can become too busy at times," one participant shared. It can be a challenge to keep on top of the messages. ".