Prison Communication Guides
Plain-language guides covering every aspect of inmate communication. Whether you are just getting started or trying to solve a specific problem, these guides are written for people with no prior experience.
All guides are written for beginners and assume no prior knowledge of the prison communication system.
The prison communication system is confusing for families who are new to it. Providers, rules, costs, and processes differ by facility type, state, and contract. These guides explain how each part of the system works in plain language, without assuming any prior knowledge.
Every guide is written based on real questions families ask and real problems they encounter. Topics include how to set up messaging accounts on JPay, CorrLinks, ConnectNetwork, and GettingOut, how phone call rates work under current FCC rules, how to schedule video visits, how to send money to an inmate trust account, and what to do when something goes wrong.
Start Here If You Are New
Complete Inmate Communication Guide
Start here if you are new. Covers every communication type and what to do first.
How to Find an Inmate
Find which facility your loved one is in before setting up any communication accounts.
How Inmate Messaging Works
Learn how electronic messaging works at prisons and jails and which platform to use.
How to Set Up Inmate Email
Step-by-step setup instructions for JPay, CorrLinks, ConnectNetwork, and GettingOut.
37 guides
Complete Inmate Communication Guide: Every Option Explained
A full overview of every way to communicate with an incarcerated loved one, including messaging, phone calls, video visits, photos, and mail.
How Inmate Messaging Works: Complete Guide for Families
Learn how digital messaging to incarcerated loved ones works, which platforms are used, how messages are reviewed, and what it costs.
How to Send Money to an Inmate: Step-by-Step Guide for Families
A step-by-step guide to sending money to an incarcerated person, covering accepted methods, per-provider steps, real fee examples, federal rules, and common mistakes to avoid.
How Video Visitation Works: Complete Guide for Families
Understand how video visitation works at prisons and jails, how to schedule a video call, what equipment you need, and how much it costs.
CorrLinks Invite Code Not Working? How to Fix It
CorrLinks invite code not working or never arrived? Learn why the invitation email goes missing, when codes expire, and step-by-step fixes to get connected.
Federal Prison vs State Prison: Key Differences for Families
Understand the key differences between federal and state prisons, including how inmates end up there, communication rules, and provider differences.
How CorrLinks Works: Complete Guide for Federal Prison Families
Learn how CorrLinks works for messaging federal inmates, how to register, how the approval process works, and what the service costs.
How JPay Works: Complete Guide for Families of State Prison Inmates
A complete guide to JPay, the most widely used inmate communication platform for state prisons, covering messaging, video, money transfer, and account setup.
How Prison Phone Calls Work: Cost, Setup and Cheapest Options
Understand how inmates make phone calls, how to set up an account to receive calls, which providers are used, and what calls cost.
How to Find an Inmate: Complete Guide to Inmate Search Tools
Learn how to locate an incarcerated person using official inmate search tools, what information you need, and how to find their current facility.
How to Tell If an Inmate Blocked You on JPay
JPay does not notify you when an inmate removes you. Learn the real signs you were blocked, how to check, and what to do about it.
JPay Video Visit Refunds: The Real Policy
Conflicting answers on JPay video visit refunds? Learn what happens with cancelled, failed, and late-starting visits, and how to ask for a credit or reschedule.
Prison Visitation Rules: Complete Guide for First-Time Visitors
Learn the general rules for visiting someone in prison or jail, including how to get approved, what to wear, what to bring, and what to expect.
Australian Prison Communication Guide: Phone Calls, Email and Visits by State
A complete guide for families trying to contact someone in an Australian prison. Covers phone calls, email, video visits, sending money, and finding a prisoner in NSW, Victoria, Queensland, and other Australian states.
Best Inmate Text Service in 2026: JPay, CorrLinks, ConnectNetwork Compared
Compare the top inmate messaging platforms including JPay, CorrLinks, ConnectNetwork, and GettingOut to find the right option for your situation.
Canadian Prison Communication Guide: How to Contact Someone in a Canadian Prison
A complete guide for families trying to contact someone in a Canadian federal or provincial prison. Covers the CSC Inmate Telephone System, FedPhoneLine, email, visits, and how to find a federal inmate.
City Tele Coin Account Types Explained (Phone vs Commissary)
Put money in the wrong City Tele Coin account? Learn the difference between DirectPay phone, commissary, and media accounts, and why funds cannot be moved between them.
County Jail vs State Prison: Key Differences for Families
Learn the differences between county jails and state prisons, who is held in each, how communication works, and which providers are typically used.
GettingOut App Not Working? Fixes That Actually Help
GettingOut app freezing, crashing, or stuck on the verification photo step? Try these fixes in order, including the website workaround that bypasses the app entirely.
How ConnectNetwork Works: Complete Guide for Families
Learn how ConnectNetwork, operated by Global Tel Link, works for inmate communication across state prisons and county jails.
How GettingOut Works: Complete Guide for County Jail Families
Learn how GettingOut by Telmate works for video visits, messaging, phone calls, and money transfers at over 2,200 county jails across 45 states.
How GTL Works: Complete Guide to ViaPath Technologies for Families
Learn how GTL (Global Tel Link / ViaPath Technologies) works for inmate phone calls and video visits at state prisons and county jails across 30 states.
How Photo Sharing Works for Inmates: Complete Guide for Families
Learn how to send photos to an incarcerated loved one, which platforms handle photo sharing, how photos are reviewed, and what formats are accepted.
How Securus Technologies Works: Complete Guide for Families
Learn how Securus Technologies works for inmate phone calls, video visits, and messaging at county jails and state prisons across 45 states.
How to Add a Second Inmate on CorrLinks
CorrLinks says your email is already in use? Learn how to add a second inmate to your existing CorrLinks account using Account Management and the identification code.
How to Set Up Inmate Email: Step-by-Step Guide for Families
A step-by-step guide to creating an inmate email account, finding the right platform, getting approved as a contact, and sending your first message.
Inmate Communication Rules by State: What Families Need to Know
An overview of how inmate communication rules vary by state, what factors create the differences, and how to find the specific rules for any state's system.
Inmate Tablets Explained: What They Are, What They Cost, and How Families Can Help
Learn what inmate tablets are, which platforms offer them, what features they include, and how families can communicate through tablet-based messaging.
JPay Account Locked? How to Unlock It
Locked out of JPay, or told to agree to terms but unable to log in? Work through these steps to recover your account and get back to messaging.
JPay Error Messages Explained
Seeing Error Occurred, illegal input values, or a JPay app stuck on the sign-in screen? Learn what JPay errors actually mean and how to fix each one.
JPay Stamps for the Wrong State? What to Do
Bought JPay stamps for the wrong state? Learn why stamps are state-specific, what options you have, and how to avoid buying the wrong stamps again.
UK Prison Communication Guide: Phone Calls, Email a Prisoner and Visits
A complete guide for families trying to contact someone in a UK prison. Covers phone calls, Email a Prisoner, video calls, visits, sending money, and finding a prisoner in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
Video Visits Without an App (Jitsi and Google Meet)
Some facilities run video visits over Jitsi Meet or Google Meet instead of a provider app. Learn how these visits are scheduled and what to expect.
What to Do If Inmate Messages Are Blocked: Complete Appeal Guide
Learn what causes inmate messages to be blocked, how to find out why, and what steps to take to restore communication with an incarcerated loved one.
What to Expect on Your First Prison Visit: Complete Preparation Guide
A practical guide for first-time prison visitors. Covers what happens at each stage of the visit, how to prepare, and how to handle the emotional experience.
Why Inmate Calls Get Cut Off (Third-Party Warning)
Inmate calls cut off with a third-party warning when nothing happened? Learn how the detection works, what triggers false cutoffs, and how to keep calls connected.
Why Prison Phone Calls Are So Expensive: The Complete Explanation
Understand why prison phone calls cost more than regular calls, how FCC regulations have changed pricing, and how to reduce what you spend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these guides free to read?
Yes. All guides on InmateTextApp.com are completely free to read. No account, registration, or payment is required. We do not charge for any information on this site.
How often are the guides updated?
Guides are reviewed and updated regularly to reflect changes in FCC regulations, provider pricing, platform updates, and facility policies. Each guide shows a last updated date. Key guides were updated in 2026 to reflect current FCC rate caps and platform changes.
Which guide should I read first?
Start with the Complete Inmate Communication Guide if you are new to the system. Then read the How to Find an Inmate guide to locate the correct facility. After that, read the specific platform guide for whichever provider serves your loved one facility.
Can I suggest a topic for a new guide?
Yes. Contact us at contact@inmatetextapp.com with your suggestion. We prioritize guides based on the questions families ask most frequently and the topics that are hardest to find clear information about elsewhere.