Complete Inmate Communication Guide: Every Option Explained

Digital messaging is the fastest and most affordable written communication option for most families. Messages are sent through a platform contracted by the facility - common platforms include JPay, CorrLinks, ConnectNetwork, and GettingOut. You create a free account, find the inmate profile, purchase message credits or stamps, and send your message.

Messages are reviewed by facility staff before delivery. Review times vary by facility, but most messages are delivered within a few hours to one business day. A single message typically costs between $0.25 and $0.50 depending on the platform and facility.

JPay is most common at state prisons. CorrLinks is the only approved platform for federal Bureau of Prisons facilities. ConnectNetwork is widely used at county jails and some state prisons. GettingOut is common at county jails with a focus on mobile-friendly access.

To get started with digital messaging, search our facility directory for your loved one facility, find which messaging platform it uses, create your account on that platform, and complete the contact approval process before sending your first message.

Inmates call out - you cannot call them directly. All calls go through a facility-contracted phone provider such as Securus Technologies, GTL, ICSolutions, or City Tele Coin. Your phone number must be on the inmate approved contact list before any calls can be placed to you.

There are two main account types for receiving calls. A prepaid account means you deposit money in advance and calls are deducted from your balance - this gives you better rates. A collect call means the charges are billed directly to your phone bill - this is more expensive and not available with all carriers.

Interstate call rates are federally regulated by the FCC with a maximum rate of $0.11 per minute under current FCC rules in effect as of 2026 (raised from the original 2024 cap of $0.06 per minute) for prisons and $0.11 per minute for large jails under current rules. In-state rates may vary. Additional fees such as account setup fees or connection fees may apply depending on the provider.

Most facilities limit calls to 15 to 30 minutes. The call disconnects automatically when the time limit is reached. All calls are recorded and monitored except calls to attorneys.

Video visitation allows you to see and speak with your loved one through a live video connection. Sessions are scheduled in advance through the facility approved platform. You connect using a smartphone, tablet, or computer. The inmate connects through a video terminal or tablet inside the facility.

Not all facilities offer video visitation. For those that do, sessions typically last 20 to 30 minutes and must be booked ahead of time. Costs range from $7.50 to $15 per session depending on the facility and provider.

You must be an approved contact before you can schedule a video visit. The approval process varies by facility but generally requires submitting your name, date of birth, and government ID. Some facilities also require a background check.

Common video visitation providers include JPay, ConnectNetwork, Securus, and GettingOut. If in-person visits are difficult due to distance, video visitation is a practical and more affordable alternative.

Sending photos to an incarcerated loved one works differently than sending a digital image. Most facilities do not allow digital photos to be emailed directly. Instead, photo sharing platforms like Pigeonly or TextBehind allow you to upload a photo online, and the service prints it and delivers it as physical mail to the inmate.

Physical mail is still accepted at most facilities. Letters should be written on plain white paper. Envelopes must be standard size. Most facilities prohibit stickers, glitter, perfume, greeting cards with metallic or raised elements, and any colored paper. Always check the specific facility mail policy before sending.

Books and magazines may be sent in some facilities but must come directly from an approved publisher or retailer. Personal copies sent from home are typically rejected. Packages are generally not allowed unless the facility has a specific approved package program.

Sending money to an incarcerated loved one allows them to purchase items from the facility commissary, pay for phone calls or messaging stamps, and cover other approved expenses. Most facilities use a trust account system where funds are deposited and drawn from as needed.

Common money transfer platforms include JPay, Access Corrections, TouchPay, and Western Union or MoneyGram at some facilities. Each platform charges a transaction fee that varies based on the amount sent and the payment method used.

Deposits can be made online, through a mobile app, at a kiosk, or in some cases by money order sent by mail. Processing times vary - online and kiosk deposits are often credited within one to two business days. Money order deposits may take longer.

Always use the exact inmate name and ID number when sending funds. Errors in the name or ID can delay or reject the transfer. Keep your transaction receipts until the funds are confirmed received.

The cost of prison phone and video calls changed significantly in 2025. The FCC had capped interstate prison phone call rates at $0.06 per minute in its 2024 ruling, but the Trump administration raised that cap to $0.11 per minute in 2025, representing an 83 percent increase from the 2024 rates. Families who had adjusted their budgets based on the 2024 rates need to recalculate their expected monthly costs under the new higher cap.

Video call rates were also affected by the 2025 changes. The 2024 FCC order had capped video call rates at between $0.11 and $0.25 per minute. The 2025 changes under the new administration reversed much of the 2024 reform framework, moving rates back upward. Prison advocacy organizations including the Prison Policy Initiative have been tracking these changes and filing opposition.

Despite the federal rate increases, some states and counties continue to offer free or reduced-cost calls independently of federal regulation. New York City, San Francisco, Massachusetts, and other jurisdictions that eliminated charges at the local level continue to do so regardless of federal rate caps. Contact the specific facility to find out whether any free call programs apply to your situation.

The first days and weeks after someone is incarcerated are the most confusing for families. Information is hard to get, the person may be moved between facilities without notice, and setting up communication accounts takes time. Having a clear checklist of what to do first reduces the chaos significantly.

Step one is finding out exactly where they are. If they were just arrested, call the arresting jurisdiction or county jail directly. If they have been sentenced and transferred to a state or federal facility, use the state DOC inmate locator or the BOP locator at bop.gov. Do not try to set up any communication accounts until you have confirmed their current location and the facility name.

Step two is getting their inmate ID number. This is different from any court case number or booking number. You need the facility-assigned inmate ID for every communication account, money transfer, and visit application. Call the facility records office or ask your loved one to provide it in their first communication to you.

Step three is finding out which communication providers serve that facility. Search our facility directory by facility name to see which messaging, phone, video, and money transfer providers are available. This tells you exactly which accounts to create and prevents wasting time and money on the wrong platforms.

Step four is setting up accounts in order of priority. Most families prioritize getting on the phone call list first because calls can happen quickly once you register your number. Messaging accounts take longer to activate because the inmate must initiate the contact in most systems. Visit approval takes the longest, typically two to six weeks, so submit the visitor application as soon as possible.

Research consistently shows that maintaining family communication during incarceration improves outcomes. Studies from the Office of Justice Programs and the Bureau of Prisons have found that strong family ties during imprisonment are associated with better behavior inside the facility, lower rates of reincarceration after release, and more successful reintegration into the community.

Around 60 percent of incarcerated parents maintain phone contact with their families and approximately 70 percent maintain contact through letters. These numbers decline at facilities where costs are prohibitive. The Prison Policy Initiative found that high phone and messaging costs directly reduce contact frequency, with families cutting back on communication when fees exceed what they can afford.

The BOP recognizes the importance of family contact and states that electronic messaging helps inmates stay connected to family, linking family ties to successful reentry. This acknowledgment from the federal prison system itself reflects decades of research showing that the cost of cutting family ties extends well beyond the incarcerated individual to communities and taxpayers who ultimately bear the cost of higher recidivism.

Families with hearing, speech, or communication disabilities have specific rights regarding inmate communication services. Starting January 1, 2024, the FCC required that facilities with an average daily population of 50 or more incarcerated people and available broadband internet access provide Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service and Internet Protocol Relay Service through their contracted providers.

If you are deaf or hard of hearing and need captioning or relay services to communicate with an incarcerated loved one, contact the facility directly to ask which accessibility services are available through their communication provider. You can also file a complaint with the FCC if a facility required to provide these services is not doing so.

Some families have difficulty with the online account setup process due to technology access or literacy challenges. Most providers offer phone-based account setup as an alternative to online registration. Call the provider customer service line and ask to set up your account over the phone. Some facilities also have staff who can assist family members through the account setup process on site.