Sending a text message to an inmate is not as easy as sending a text message to friends or family on the outside. There are many regulations that you have to abide by when it comes to sending text messages to inmates. Of course, the rules will vary from state to state. Therefore, you should understand the local prison regulations for texting inmates. Speaking of this, we would like to share information regarding the best inmate text service to send messages to inmates. If you are interested in knowing the information, make sure you read this article thoroughly.
Read also: How to Send Pictures to an Inmate Through Free Prints
The Best Inmate Text Services to Send Message to a Prisoner
We have collected some of the best inmate text services to send messages to inmates. Here are some of them:
1. TextBehind
TextBehind enables family and friends from around the world to stay in touch with their incarcerated loved ones using their innovative technology and processes. If you want to send a text message to an incarcerated loved one, you can do so through TextBehind. With TextBehind, you can communicate with your incarcerated loved ones conveniently, consistently, and affordably. TextBehind is always making internal and external efforts to offer more value to its customers in enjoying the use of their services. Therefore, we can say that TextBehind is one of the best inmate text services for sending messages to prisoners.
TextBehind’s mission is “Connecting Relationships Today for a Better Tomorrow.” The entire TextBehind team focuses on this mission every day while processing your communication commands. So, it’s the right choice when you decide to communicate with your loved ones in prison through TextBehind. In addition, the official TextBehind website also allows public officials, lawyers, and correctional institutions to send, receive, and process contraband-free official letters with sender/lawyer verification.
Apart from the official TextBehind website, you can also use the TextBehind app to send text messages to loved ones in prison. If you are an Android user, you can download and install TextBehind Inmate Texting App from Google Play Store. But, if you are an iOS user, you can download and install TextBehind from the App Store. The TextBehind app is created to enable you communicating with your incarcerated loved ones located inside the United States from anywhere using the text letters, kids’ drawings, and custom greeting cards. Unlimited inmate reply letters will be processed for electronic delivery to your cell phone and email at no additional cost.
2. SmartInmate
SmartInmate by Smart Communications connects you and your incarcerated loved ones through an easy-to-use online communication system. SmartInmate uses secure, two-way electronic messaging software designed specifically for communicating with incarcerated individuals. That way, you and your incarcerated loved ones can communicate safely and quickly. Using computer kiosks or tablets placed in the facility, inmates can send and receive electronic messages. For your information, each message costs 50 cents. There are two options in message delivery. The first is that messages are sent with paid postage and are free to be read by the recipient. Secondly, messages are sent collectively and are borne by the recipients. If you want to start sending or receiving messages, create a SmartInmate account and follow steps by steps correctly.
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Sign Up
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To start sending messages to your inmate, firstly, you must create your account. Don’t worry, the process of creating an account is quick and easy. You just need to create a username and password to identify your account, then enter some basic contact information. After that, you will receive a text message or email to verify and activate your account. You don’t have to spend money to create an account and look for an incarcerated loved one to connect with.
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Make Connections
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Now you can search for imprisoned loved ones to connect with. Once you find the inmate you want to connect with, simply send a connection request. Make sure the inmate approves the connection request so that you can start sending messages. Add them to your account as a contact.
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Purchase Service Credits
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Once your connection request has been accepted and you have added the inmate as your contact, you can now send and receive electronic messages. You can purchase service credits through the website using your credit or debit card. For your information, service credits cost one cent with a minimum purchase of 500 credits ($5.00). Of course, you are free to purchase as many credits as you wish. In addition, you can also transfer service credits to your contacts so that they can reply to your messages easily.
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Start Sending Messages
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Once you’ve purchased service credits, it’s time to send and receive electronic messages from your incarcerated loved ones. Electronic messages can be sent instantly or can be held for review by prison staff, depending on facility regulations. Compared to regular paper mail to correctional institutions, electronic messages are delivered much faster so you can stay connected faster at a fraction of the cost as well.
3. ContactMeASAP
ContactMeAsap is one of the best inmate text services. With ContactMeAsap, you can not only send messages to approved contacts via text, but can also send photos. If you have a loved one in prison, sending a text message is definitely important. ContactMeAsap will send your text messages securely to corrlinks correctional system. Also, ContactMeAsap has made agreements with several phone carriers so that they can send unlimited messages directly to the cell phones of approved inmate contact lists.
Having a ContactMeAsap account is a great solution to send your messages to loved ones in prison. When you join the ContactMeAsap service, you will receive detailed instructions on how to set up your account. You can read the instructions on how to send text messages to inmates without any problems. ContactMeAsap will provide an easy-to-remember email address for your inmate, which is then entered into the inmate’s TRULINCS computer. Then, your inmate will be able to use this service to “approve texts” to contacts. Through legal agreements with several phone companies, high-volume messaging is already secured so you don’t have to wait for messages to arrive in a queue. You can instantly send SMS to inmates whenever you want without a hitch.
4. ConnectNetwork
The next best inmate text service is ConnectNetwork. Through ConnectNetwork, you can send electronic messages to an incarcerated loved one in just a few simple steps, from your computer or smartphone. If you send a message to your inmate, your inmate can then view your message, print it, or respond electronically. However, you should keep in mind that each facility has its own rules regarding sending messages. Sending a message to a loved one in prison can keep your relationship intact.
Some features offered by ConnectNetwork:
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- Open your Messages inbox where you can send and receive messages from your inmates. Also, you can save drafts in your online account.
- You can use your debit or credit card to purchase message credits (Mastercard, Visa, or Discover).
- Depending on the facility, you can also send credit to receive replies from your loved ones in prison.
- Sending and receiving messages is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from the comfort of your home.
- You can also attach photos or videos to your messages (Only through the ConnectNetwork mobile app and available on select facilities.
Here’s how it works:
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- First, you can log in to your ConnectNetwork account. Then, add the facility that offers Messaging.
- Add your inmates as Contacts in your Messaging account using their booking number or name.
- Purchase credit to send messages using a credit or debit card (depending on the facility). And, purchase additional credits to receive replies from your inmates.
- Write the message you want to convey to your inmate. Don’t forget to attach the credit for the reply, then send.
Now, you may want to know how much it costs to send a message to an inmate through ConnectNetwork. For your information, the cost of sending messages varies from state to state, as well as from facility to facility. You can log into your ConnectNetwork account to find out more about the specific fees and charges associated with your inmate’s facility. Typically, once you add your inmate to your Messaging service and then click “Buy Credit,” the individual rates will appear.
5. Securus eMessaging
If you have a loved one in prison, you’ll want to stay connected. Securus eMessaging by Securus Technologies will help you stay connected with your incarcerated loved one through email services such as messaging.
You can do various things with Securus eMessaging such as:
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- Send text-based messages
- Attach up to 5 photos
- Share up to 5 e-cards
- Send a photo with Snap n’ Send® (App only)
- Sending a 30-second VideoGram (App only)
With eMessaging, inmates can:
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- Reply to your message (If you attach a reply stamp)
- Receive stamps that you share at no cost to them
- Buy stamps from their Securus Debit account.
Here’s how it works:
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- You must first have a Securus Online account. Then, login to start using eMessaging
- Messages will be sent and received from your eMessaging inbox, either from the Securus website or from the Securus mobile app.
- You can pay for eMessages by purchasing a book of ‘stamps’. Each facility has varying stamp prices. Once you have selected your prisoner, then you will be able to see the stamp prices.
- To start sending messages, find your inmate, purchase a book of stamps and start writing messages.
Remember that all messages and photos you send can be reviewed by the facility. You will receive a rejection message in your inbox with the reason for rejection if the message/photo/VideoGram is rejected or the inmate’s reply is rejected. For note: Stamps will not be returned if a message or attachment is rejected.
6. Federal Inmate Text Services
Federal Inmate Text Services is also one of the best inmate text services. There are lots of people who utilize this Federal Inmate Text Services. If you have a loved one who is incarcerated, you can send text messages directly from your cell phone to your inmate through the services provided by Federal Inmate Text Services. With Federal Inmate Text Services, sending text messages to your loved ones in federal prison has become very easy and flexible.
Here’s how it works:
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- At the first step, you can search and find your inmate with an easy federal inmate locator tool. Please click at the Get Started button. There you will be asked to enter your inmate information. Enter inmate first name and inmate last name. Then, click at the Search button.
- After that, you can type and send your message. Before you send your message make sure that your message complies with the rules.
- Then your message will be sent to your inmate’s account. If your inmate replies, Federal Inmate Text Services will send the reply message to you via text message.
Of course, they will send your messages securely to the correctional messaging system. This system is used by every federal inmate to stay connected with their loved ones. The messages will be converted to text so you can reply to your inmates directly from your text messages.
7. GettingOut
Another best inmate text service is GettingOut. It provides simple and secure communication between inmates, their family or friends. There are two types of messages offered by GettingOut; Written Messages and Voice Mail Messages.
GettingOut provides a limited and secure internal messaging system where you can send messages to your loved ones in prison. To be able to send and receive internal messages, you must be logged into your GettingOut account. Then, your inmates will receive the internal messages the moment they log into the system. Make sure your message does not contain content that is prohibited by the facility. Remember that before messages can be sent, all messages must be approved by the facility.
Besides Written Messages, you can also utilize Voice Mail Messages. GettingOut allows you to leave a voice message for 3 minutes. You can try sending a “hello” anytime to an incarcerated loved one. To start leaving voicemails, you will first need to set up a GettingOut account and deposit funds. You can call 1 (866) 516-0115. Make sure you follow the instructions. When pick up the phone, your incarcerated loved one will be able to hear your voicemail.
GettingOut also allows you to share photos. So, if you have a family member or friend who is incarcerated, you can share photos with your inmate. Keep in mind that not all facilities allow family or friends of inmates to share photos. Keep in mind that you can only send photos through the GettingOut app. All photos sent to inmates must be approved by the facility before uploading.
