GTL (ViaPath Technologies)
State prison phone and video visits across 30+ states
- 30+
- States Covered
- 800+
- Facilities Supported
- 3 of 5
- Services Offered
- Yes
- Mobile App Available
GTL (ViaPath Technologies) Inmate Communication Overview
GTL, now operating under the ViaPath Technologies brand, is one of the most established correctional communication companies in the United States. At the state prison level, GTL holds phone and video contracts across more than 30 states, making it the provider families encounter for phone calls and video visits when a loved one is housed in a state correctional system. GTL is also the parent company of GettingOut — the county jail video and messaging platform — and ConnectNetwork, the consumer portal for federal and county communication. At state prisons, however, families interact with GTL directly through the GTL Connect app or telmate.com, which is a different experience from GettingOut or ConnectNetwork.
At most state facilities served by GTL, the setup works as follows: JPay manages electronic messaging, photo sharing, and trust account deposits, while GTL handles phone calls and video visitation under a separate contract. This means families often need both a JPay account for messaging and a GTL account for phone and video. These accounts are independent — JPay credits cannot be used to fund GTL calls, and GTL account balances do not carry over to JPay. Understanding that these two accounts are both necessary and separate is one of the most common points of confusion for families at state facilities.
GTL's phone system works through an AdvancePay account — families fund the account with a phone number, and the incarcerated individual calls that number directly from facility phones. Video visits are scheduled through the same GTL account. Money transfers for commissary purposes are handled through Access Corrections, which is a GTL-affiliated deposit platform. GTL serves state systems across Georgia, Indiana, Virginia, Louisiana, Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, California (many CDCR facilities), and others. Because GTL holds statewide contracts in many of these systems, a single GTL account works across all facilities within the same state system — a useful feature when inmates are transferred between facilities.
GTL (ViaPath Technologies) Services
Communication services offered by GTL (ViaPath Technologies) and what each one includes.
Messaging
GTL does not handle messaging at state prisons. Messaging at most GTL state facilities is managed by JPay.
If your loved one is in a state facility using JPay for messaging and GTL for phone/video, create a JPay account separately for messaging.
Video Calls
Schedule remote video visits through your GTL account or the GTL Connect app. Available at participating state and county facilities.
Requires a device with a working camera. Must schedule in advance. Being on the inmate's approved contact list is required.
Set Up Video CallsPhoto Sharing
GTL does not offer digital photo delivery at state prison facilities.
For photo services at GTL state facilities, use JPay if available, or TextBehind for print-based photo delivery.
Phone Calls
Fund an AdvancePay account linked to your phone number to receive inmate-initiated calls. Manage your account through GTL Connect or telmate.com.
All calls are inmate-initiated. You cannot call the facility to speak with an inmate. Rates vary by state contract.
Set Up Phone CallsMoney Transfer
Commissary deposits at GTL state facilities are processed through Access Corrections, a GTL-affiliated platform at accesscorrections.com.
Access Corrections processes commissary deposits. Phone account funding (for calls) is handled separately within GTL.
Set Up Money TransferGTL (ViaPath Technologies) Coverage
Facility types and geographic regions served by this provider.
Facility Types
Geographic Coverage
30+ states, primarily at state prison systems under statewide DOC contracts
Coverage Notes
GTL holds statewide contracts in many systems — one account typically works at all facilities within the same state DOC. Coverage differs from GettingOut (county jails) and ConnectNetwork (federal), though all are part of the ViaPath Technologies family.
Facilities Served by GTL (ViaPath Technologies)
Sample correctional facilities where this provider operates. Full coverage list available on the provider's website.
GTL (ViaPath Technologies) Pricing Overview
Approximate pricing for common services. Exact rates may vary by facility and state contract.
GTL (ViaPath Technologies) Fee Schedule
- Account Registration
- No cost to create a GTL account.
- Free
- Phone Calls
- Interstate rates are FCC-regulated. In-state rates vary by state contract.
- $0.14–$0.25/min
- Video Visit
- Per-minute or session pricing depending on the facility.
- Varies
- Money Transfer
- Commissary deposits via Access Corrections. Processing fees vary by amount.
- Fee applies
Prices are estimates based on publicly available information and may change. Confirm current pricing on the GTL (ViaPath Technologies) website before use.
GTL (ViaPath Technologies) — Pros & Cons
An honest look at the strengths and limitations of GTL (ViaPath Technologies).
Strengths
- Statewide contracts in many systems mean one account works across facility transfers within the same state.
- GTL Connect app consolidates phone account management and video scheduling.
- Widely used across 30+ state prison systems, making it one of the most common state-level phone providers.
- Part of the ViaPath/Telmate ecosystem — same login infrastructure as GettingOut at some facilities.
- Regulated interstate calling rates provide cost predictability for long-distance families.
Limitations
- Messaging and photos not handled by GTL at state prisons. Requires a separate JPay account for those services.
- Commissary deposits go through Access Corrections, not GTL directly — a separate step many families find confusing.
- In-state calling rates can be significantly higher than the regulated interstate rate.
- GTL, GettingOut, ConnectNetwork, and ViaPath are all part of the same company but operate through different portals, which causes confusion.
- Not available at federal Bureau of Prisons facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions: GTL (ViaPath Technologies)
Common questions from families about using GTL (ViaPath Technologies).
- What is the relationship between GTL, GettingOut, ConnectNetwork, and ViaPath?
- They are all part of the same company. GTL (Global Tel Link) is the original company, now rebranded as ViaPath Technologies. GettingOut is GTL's county jail video and messaging platform, operated through its Telmate subsidiary. ConnectNetwork is the consumer portal for GTL phone accounts at federal and county facilities. At state prisons, families interact directly with GTL through the GTL Connect app or telmate.com. Same parent company, different products for different facility types.
- Do I need both a JPay account and a GTL account for a state prison?
- At most state prisons where both are available, yes. JPay typically handles messaging, photo sharing, and trust account deposits. GTL handles phone calls and video visits under a separate facility contract. These are independent systems — you need both accounts and must fund them separately. Check the specific facility to confirm which services each provider handles there.
- How do I set up a GTL phone account?
- Go to telmate.com or download the GTL Connect app. Create a free account and set up an AdvancePay account linked to your phone number. Add funds via debit card, credit card, or Western Union. Once your account is active and funded, the incarcerated individual can call your number directly from facility phones. Calls are inmate-initiated — you cannot call the facility to reach an inmate.
- Will my GTL account work if my loved one is transferred to a different facility?
- In most cases, yes — if the transfer is within the same state DOC system under a GTL statewide contract. GTL holds system-wide contracts in many states, so accounts carry over automatically between facilities in the same system. You may need to update the scheduled facility for video visits after a transfer. If the transfer is to a different state or a county jail, you will likely need a different provider account.
- How do I send commissary money to an inmate at a GTL facility?
- GTL commissary deposits are processed through Access Corrections, not GTL directly. Visit accesscorrections.com, search for the facility, and follow the deposit process. Funds can be added via debit card, credit card, or cash at participating retail locations. Note that commissary deposits and your GTL phone account are separate — you need to fund both independently.
Related Providers
Other inmate communication providers you may want to consider.
Access Corrections
50+ states
Commissary deposits and money transfers for incarcerated individuals
View GuideGet Started with GTL (ViaPath Technologies)
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