How to Text an Inmate A new messaging program allows prisoners to stay in touch with family and friends from inside their cell. But it's not without its potential pitfalls. Prisoners are allowed to make use of the tablet to send messages but are not allowed to use social media, emojis, or other features. The messages they send are monitored. You can search for words and phrases. Texting from Jail There are many rules that govern how inmates can contact people outside within the confines of their prison. Prisoners can use email to send messages through secure methods such as JPay and CorrLinks. But, the staff monitors the messages and they are able to determine whether or not the messages will remain private. These facilities also offer electronic messaging services to inmates. These are proprietary systems run by companies that cost inmates and their families an amount for every message sent. The price of these services can vary from 50 cents to $1.25 per message, up to $1.25 per message, based the facility you're using and what messaging system they employ. The cost for sending a message is paid by the person who sends it to the inmate using credits bought through their ConnectNetwork account, whether by debit or credit card. The inmates are able to view the message on their computer or tablet. They can also react by writing or electronically, depending on the location in which they're living. The cost of a message is determined by the facility, and can be found in the section on Messaging Rates for each facility on their site. You can find the most relevant rates by logging into your ConnectNetwork account and navigating to the page for messaging for the person they would like to communicate with. The Prisoner Texting There's never been a simpler way to stay in contact via messaging or email with your loved ones that is in jail. Sign up now and begin talking to your prisoner! SMS Texting Program is only available if your facility allows for it as well as if you already are already a member of an email messaging Account. Your inmate will receive the messages you send on their mobile phone. The messages will be read by and replied to within 24 hours from the date you sent them. Your message will be distributed to prisoners via an app for inmates or through a kiosk which they access from their cell. Note that correctional institutions or authorized personnel may be able to monitor, look up, review the contents of electronic messages. This also applies to the files saved on your device. Privacy concerns are raised by PPI as well, and the company points out that it's easy to think of companies such as Securus or JPay monetizing electronic messaging by selling access to imprisoned users' private messages to relatives attorneys, courts and lawyers. Prisons and jails provide different electronic messaging systems. However, there are usually restrictions on the types of messages that can be transmitted. Prisons may have imposed restrictions on inmate-to -inmate communications pursuant to the Prisoner Communications Act. The technology is often only limited to a certain number of characters, making it difficult to keep any recorded communication. Texting inmates Prisoners can stay in touch with their family members and pen pals through a variety of methods. Prisons often provide email systems and kiosks that incarcerated individuals can access messages sent to them by their friends and family on the outside. Additionally, prisoners are able to receive photos and letters. In certain prisons, prisoners can text one another. However, this practice isn't allowed by most prison administrators and texts could be viewed closely. Most correctional institutions have the JPay program, which allows pen pals, family members and friends can send messages, photos, and VideoGrams to incarcerated people. Each message will cost an "stamp" as well as additional stamps are required for attachments and VideoGrams. Online or in select retailers there are stamps available. GettingOut and a few other companies have created apps to allow prisoners to connect with their loved ones via tablets that are provided by these companies. People in prison are addicted to their tablets all day long, just like teens wait for DMs from their crushes. TikTok is where they advertise, while prison pen pal websites offer guidelines on using tablets. Prisoners can also get letters from family members that don't possess JPay accounts using the system for mail at their facility. Inmates are able to choose whether or not print some messages or even open them. Every electronic message is reviewed in the same way text inmate similar to mail received. The Family Texts: Sending messages to them The use of text messages by inmates is seen as a positive facilitator for families. Loved ones cited emotional connectedness as well as convenience and accessibility as the main benefits. Others found that the security functions were a hindrance to family communication, as they made it harder for family members and family members to talk. "Our text messages are great for planning, but the group can get too busy at times," one participant shared. It can be a challenge to keep up to date with messages. ".