What app do you use to text inmates?

To text inmates, you use specific apps like GTL's GettingOut, CorrLinks, Securus eMessaging, or TextBehind, which connect you to facilities and allow messaging, photo sharing, and fund transfers, with costs varying by service and facility, but some, like TextBehind, offer free replies. You'll need to create an account, find the inmate, and often purchase credits or stamps for messaging, as these apps integrate with correctional systems.

How do I send text messages to an inmate?

Add inmates as Contacts in your Messaging account using their booking number or name. Using a credit or debit card, purchase credits to send messages, and, depending on the facility, purchase additional credits to receive responses from your inmate. Compose a message, attach credits for a reply…and send!

What is the securus texting app for inmates?

About this app

Securus Mobile gives you the power to take video calls from your loved one, send and receive digital messages in real time, as well as manage your Securus account (with personal options like adding contacts, enabling notifications, balance alerts and autopay) in one convenient spot!

What is the GTL messaging app for inmates?

GTL's messaging app for inmates is the GettingOut app (also linked with ConnectNetwork) for iOS and Android, allowing family and friends to text, send photos, and manage deposits to stay connected with incarcerated loved ones, often via facility-provided tablets or personal devices, though costs and features vary by location. Users download the free app, create an account, add their inmate contact, and deposit funds to start messaging, with some services offering video calls and photos at facility-specific rates. 

What app replaced JPay?

Beginning in March 2025, the NJDOC will gradually transition existing services from JPAY to ViaPath Technologies. This change aims to improve the services, security, and connections between love ones and incarcerated persons.

How Do Inmate Messaging Apps Work? - Jail & Prison Insider

What apps can I use to text inmates?

GTL's GettingOut mobile app is rooted in the power of relationships. It provides simple and reliable communication between inmates and their family and friends -- allowing them to stay connected, even on the go!

Are GTL and JPay the same?

CDCR has ended their contract for email and video service with JPAY as of July 1, 2022. GTL is the NEW vendor. YOU MUST SET UP A GTL ACCOUNT, AND ADD ALL OF THE PEOPLE YOU WISH TO BE IN TOUCH WITH TO YOUR GTL “CONTACTS” LIST to continue to make telephone, and video calls, and email messages.

What is the free app to talk to prisoners?

GTL's GettingOut mobile app is rooted in the power of relationships. It provides simple and reliable communication between inmates and their family and friends -- allowing them to stay connected, even on the go!

Are GTL and ConnectNetwork the same?

ConnectNetwork is GTL's authorized service for electronic payments, account management and enhanced services such as e-messaging/email. Visit ConnectNetwork.com to create an account and effectively manage your payments, create e-messages (where available) and keep track of your payments.

How do inmates receive texts?

They can send and receive electronic messages using a safe and secure computer kiosk or tablet stationed in their institution. Each message costs just 50 cents which is cheaper than a postage stamp. The message can be sent with postage paid and will be free to open and read for the recipient.

Are trulincs and CorrLinks the same?

CorrLinks is a subsidiary of Advanced Technologies Group. TRULINCS is a fee-based system that inmates must pay for in order to send or receive email.

Is Securus free for inmates?

For accounts associated with calls from California correctional facilities, Securus will not be charging any single-call fee, paper bill fee, live agent fee, automated payment fee, or third party credit card processing charge.

Are JPay and Securus the same?

No, JPay and Securus are not the same company, but JPay is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Securus Technologies, meaning Securus owns JPay. Securus acquired JPay in 2015, and now they often work together to provide communication, financial, and entertainment services (like email, video calls, money transfers, music, and movies) for incarcerated individuals, with JPay often handling media/payments and Securus managing broader telecom services, sometimes transitioning users to Securus platforms. 

What is the smart communication app for inmates?

Bringing Families and Friends Together

When using SmartInmate™ you can connect in just minutes and correspond every day in near real time instant communication with your loved ones. Sign up and connect now, it's quick, easy and free to sign up!

What is ConnectNetwork used for?

ConnectNetwork is an online platform and mobile app by GTL, designed to help friends and family communicate with and send money to incarcerated loved ones easily and conveniently. It's a central hub for funding inmate trust/commissary accounts, paying for phone calls (AdvancePay), sending messages, photos, and videos, scheduling visits, and even providing inmates with entertainment/education content via tablets. 

How do CorrLinks text messages work?

The Text Message service is an optional premium service and will require you to enter a credit card to pay for the service. After the duration of your service, you have to visit CorrLinks website to extend the Text Messaging service, at which time your card will be charged again.

What is the new name for GTL?

To better reflect its mission and vision, GTL is now ViaPath Technologies. CEO Deb Alderson promised change when she took over the company.

Are GTL messages free for inmates?

– GTL, a leader in transformative corrections technology that improves outcomes for inmates and facilities, today announced free weekly communication options to incarcerated individuals at their contracting state correctional facilities.

Are GTL and GlobalTel the same?

GTL was founded in 1980 in Mobile, Alabama, under the name Global Telcoin, Inc. The company changed its name in 1999 to Global Tel*Link Corporation. Private-equity firms Veritas Capital and Goldman Sachs purchased GTL from Gores Equity LLC for $345 million.

How to text inmates for free online?

The GettingOut Android mobile app is the easiest way to stay connected with an incarcerated loved one or friend. Now you can post and share photos as well as send messages from your Android device to inmate contacts at select correctional facilities.

What is the best chat app to use?

The "best" chatting app depends on your needs, but top contenders are WhatsApp for its massive global reach, Signal for top-tier privacy, Telegram for features and large groups, Messenger for Facebook integration, and Discord for gaming/communities. For general use, WhatsApp is widely popular, while Signal is ideal for security, and Discord excels for specific interest groups. 

Is the penmate app legit?

Penmate is an amazing app to connect with incarcerated individuals. Penmate is a trustworthy app that works great. I was happy to see that they print your emails and photos and actually mail them to the inmate.

What replaced JPay?

The two companies that dominate the prison telephone business also command the tablet market — ViaPath Technologies, rebranded from GTL, and Securus, which acquired JPay in 2015.

How long does $100 last in jail?

$100 in jail can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, maybe even a month, depending on what you buy (snacks, hygiene, radio) versus what you need (basics are cheap), how much you spend on communication (calls/emails), and if you're buying drugs or getting extorted, but you can technically survive on basic commissary with much less; it's for comfort, not survival, which is free. 

What is the difference between GTL GettingOut and ConnectNetwork?

ConnectNetwork is used for making deposits to your incarcerated loved one's trust account. GettingOut is used for communications tablet services: To send messages you will need the GettingOut application. To receive video calling you will need the GettingOut Visits application.