How to Text an Inmate A new texting program lets prisoners communicate with family and friends from inside their cell. There are risks to using the program. Prisoners can utilize the specially-designed tablet to send messages however they are not able to access social media sites or emojis and their messages are being monitored. You can search for words or phrases. In Jail, texting There are a variety of rules that govern how inmates are able to communicate with people outside of the confines. Inmates can send emails using secure systems like JPay or CorrLinks. But, the staff monitors the messages and they are able to determine whether or not the messages will be secure. The inmates also have access to electronic messaging through these same institutions. Prisoners are charged per message. These proprietary inmate texting systems are run by private companies. The price of these options can range from 50 cents for each message to $1.25 per text, contingent the facility you're using as well as the type of messaging system they are using. The cost for sending a message is paid by the person sending it to the prisoner using credit bought through their ConnectNetwork account, either by credit or debit card. The person receiving the message then sees the message on their tablet or computer screen and can respond electronically to the sender or by writing a letter, depending on the facility. The cost of a message is determined by the facility, and can be found in the Messaging Rates section on their site. Users can check the current relevant rates by logging into their ConnectNetwork account and then going to the page for messaging of the inmate they wish to talk with. The Prisoner Texting It's never been easier to maintain contact through messages or emails to a family member that is in jail. Register now to communicate with your inmate. SMS Texting Program can only be used in the event that your institution allows it, and you also have an existing Email Messaging Account. The inmate you sent your messages on his or her mobile phone. The inmates will be able to read the messages and reply within the 24 hours. Your message will be delivered 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 to monitor, look up, review electronically-generated messages. It's also the case for information stored on your device. PPI is concerned about privacy, as it could easily envision that businesses such as Securus and JPay will make money off electronic messages by selling these to family members, lawyers members, or the justices. Prisons and jails provide various electronic messaging services. But, there are often restrictions as to what messages can be shared. Inmate-to-inmate communication is one of them, which are regulated by certain prisons under the Prisoner Communications Act. Technology is usually only limited to a certain number of characters, making it difficult to preserve any written communication. 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 or family members on the outside via email and kiosks. Also, inmates are able to receive photos and letters. In some prisons, inmates may text one another. However, this practice isn't allowed by most prison administrators and texts could be scrutinized. Many correctional facilities have a JPay system where family members, pen pals, family members and friends can make payments for photos, messages or videos to detained people. To send a message, you must stamp it. Stamps are required to send attachments or VideoGrams. Stamps are available online or at select stores. Private companies, such as GettingOut and GettingOut, have created apps that allow incarcerated people to message their partners with tablets offered by the firm. People in prison are addicted to their tablets during the day, as teens are waiting for DMs from crushes. TikTok is where they advertise and pen pals in prison websites provide guidelines on using tablets. Prisoners can also get letters from loved ones who don't possess JPay accounts using the system for mail at their facility. The inmate can choose to not print specific messages or even open them. Every electronic message is subject to a similar review like mail that is received. SMSing Family members The use of text messages by inmates is seen as a beneficial facilitator to families. Loved ones cited emotional connectedness ease of use, comfort, and convenience as major benefits. Some also found the added security feature a negative barrier as it reduced the conveniences of family communication and reduced engagement by creating additional steps to send a message. "Our family text is great to organize things, however the group can get out of hand sometimes," one participant shared. It can be a challenge to keep in the loop with all messages. ".