Correctional Facility

Correctional facility is an umbrella term covering many different types of institutions: federal prisons, state prisons, county jails, private prisons, juvenile detention facilities, and immigration detention centers. Each type operates under different rules, is run by a different level of government, and uses different communication systems. Knowing which type of facility your loved one is in is one of the first things to establish, because it directly affects which communication platforms and services are available.

The three most common categories families encounter are federal prisons, state prisons, and county jails. Federal prisons are operated by the U.S. Bureau of Prisons and hold people convicted of federal crimes. State prisons are operated by state departments of corrections and hold people convicted of state-level felonies with sentences longer than one year. County jails are operated by county sheriff's offices and primarily hold people awaiting trial or serving shorter sentences.

Communication options differ significantly between these facility types. Federal inmates use CorrLinks for electronic messaging and ConnectNetwork for phone calls. State prison inmates commonly use JPay for messaging and money transfers. County jail inmates often use GettingOut or ConnectNetwork. Each facility also sets its own specific rules around visits, phone access, tablet availability, and approved contact lists. The facility's website or intake paperwork is usually the best source for this information.