How to Text an Inmate A new texting program lets prisoners communicate with friends and family from inside their jail cell. It's not without dangers. Prisoners are allowed to make use of the tablet to send messages, but they are not able to access social media, emojis, or other functions. The messages they send are watched. Search for keywords and phrases. In Jail, texting It's not easy to text inside prison due to the strict guidelines and rules regarding how prisoners communicate with those outside. Many prisons have secure electronic systems, like JPay or CorrLinks that permit inmates the ability to send messages to loved ones, but the emails are monitored by the staff, and might not be as private as an individual's own email service. Inmates can also use electronic messages through the same institutions. They are private systems operated by companies who require inmates as well as their families to pay an amount for every message that is sent. These services can range in cost from 50 cents for each message up to $1.25 for a single text message, contingent upon the particular facility as well as the particular messaging platform used by that facility. A message will cost a fee and is billed by the sender with the credits they've bought on the ConnectNetwork Account. It can be paid via credit card or debit card. Prisoners can read the message on their computer or tablet, and then react by writing or electronically, depending on where they are housed. The cost for a message varies by facility and is listed on the section on Messaging Rates for each facility on their site. Users can check the current rates for messaging by logging to your ConnectNetwork account and navigating to the message page for the person they would like to contact. In prison, texting Keeping in touch with an incarcerated loved one via email or messaging has never been simpler. Join today to begin communicating with the prisoner. SMS Texting Program can only be used if the facility you are in allows it, as well as if you have an email messaging account. Messages will be delivered to the cell phone of your friend or tablet. They will be read and replied to within 24 hours of the date of sending. Prisoners will get your message via an app for inmate communication or through a kiosk that can be accessed from their prison cell. Be aware that correctional institutions and authorized personnel may be able to monitor, look up, review the contents of electronic messages. The same applies to information saved on your device. PPI is concerned with privacy as you could easily envision that businesses such as Securus and JPay could make money from electronic messages, selling them to lawyers, family members, or even justices. The prisons and jails have different electronic messaging systems. There are often restrictions as to what messages can be shared. Prisons may have imposed restrictions on communication between inmates under the Prisoner Communications Act. Additionally, this technology often comes with limits on characters, which hinder the preservation of any kind of written communication a challenge. Texting inmates Inmates can communicate with loved ones and pen pals via a range of ways. Inmates are able to receive messages from their friends and families on the outside through email and kiosks. Inmates also have the option to receive photo cards and letters. In certain prisons, prisoners may text one another. This practice isn't allowed by most prison administrators and texts could be monitored. A lot of correctional facilities offer facilities that have a JPay system, where pen pals, family members and friends can send messages, photos, and VideoGrams to incarcerated individuals. For each message, you must stamp it. Further stamps might be needed for attachments, or VideoGrams. Stamps are available online or at select stores. GettingOut and other private companies have developed apps that allow people in prison to contact their loved ones using the tablets offered by these inmate texting businesses. Inmates are glued to their devices throughout the day, much like teens wait for DMs from their crushes. Their profiles are advertised on TikTok, and prison pen-pal websites feature tips about the use of tablets. Inmates also can receive messages from relatives that don't have JPay accounts using the system for mail at the facility. Inmates can decide to not print certain messages, or to open others. Each electronic message is subject to a similar review similar to mail received. Sending Texts to the Family Families see inmate texting as a great device. Families and friends cited feelings of connection ease of use, comfort, and convenience as major benefits. Some also found the added security features a disadvantage in that it undermined the conveniences of family communication and reduced engagement through the addition of additional steps to send a message. A participant stated "Our group texting system works great for logistics but can sometimes be out of control." It takes time to stay up to date with messages. ".