Securus Technologies
Phone, video, and messaging for county jails and state prisons
- 45+
- States Covered
- 1,200+
- Facilities Supported
- 4 of 5
- Services Offered
- Yes
- Mobile App Available
Securus Technologies Inmate Communication Overview
Securus Technologies is one of the two largest correctional communication companies in the United States, serving more than 1,200 facilities across 45 states. The company holds phone, video visitation, messaging, and money transfer contracts at a wide range of county jails and state prisons, making it the provider that millions of families interact with each year. Securus operates under Aventiv Technologies, the same parent company as JPay. However, Securus and JPay serve different facilities under separate contracts — if your loved one is at a Securus-contracted facility, you will need a Securus account, not a JPay account.
Families interact with Securus primarily through the Securus Mobile app or the securustech.net website. A single Securus account can cover phone calls, video visits, messaging, and commissary deposits at the same facility, which reduces the number of accounts families need to manage. Phone calls are inmate-initiated — the incarcerated individual calls your number from facility phones, and charges are drawn from your prepaid Securus account. Video visits are scheduled through your account in advance, require a device with a working camera, and are typically priced per minute or per session. Messaging, where available, is delivered electronically within the facility. Commissary deposits for trust accounts are also processed through Securus at most contracted facilities.
Securus is most commonly found at county jails and state prisons in Texas, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Washington, Illinois, and New York, among others. Unlike JPay, which focuses primarily on state prisons, Securus holds contracts across both county and state levels in many of the same states. If you are unsure which provider serves the facility where your loved one is held, the Securus website includes a facility search tool. Confirming the facility and its contract before creating an account and adding funds is the most important step for families new to the Securus platform.
Securus Technologies Services
Communication services offered by Securus Technologies and what each one includes.
Messaging
Electronic messaging delivered digitally to facility kiosks or tablets. Available at participating Securus facilities.
Per-message pricing applies. Messaging availability varies by facility contract.
Set Up MessagingVideo Calls
Schedule remote video visits through your Securus account. Available at participating facilities.
Requires a device with a working camera. Must schedule in advance. Must be on the inmate's approved contact list.
Set Up Video CallsPhoto Sharing
Securus does not offer a digital photo delivery service.
For digital photo services, consider JPay or TextBehind if available at the facility.
Phone Calls
Fund a prepaid account to receive inmate-initiated calls. Set up through the Securus website or mobile app.
Calls are inmate-initiated. You cannot call the facility to speak with an inmate. Interstate rates are FCC-regulated.
Set Up Phone CallsMoney Transfer
Send funds to inmate trust accounts via debit card, credit card, or cash at participating retail locations.
Processing fees apply. Note that phone account funds and commissary funds are separate accounts within Securus.
Set Up Money TransferSecurus Technologies Coverage
Facility types and geographic regions served by this provider.
Facility Types
Geographic Coverage
45 states, with strong coverage in Texas, Arizona, Illinois, New York, Colorado, Hawaii, and Washington
Coverage Notes
Securus holds facility-level contracts. Coverage varies significantly by county and state. Always confirm Securus serves the specific facility before creating an account.
Facilities Served by Securus Technologies
Sample correctional facilities where this provider operates. Full coverage list available on the provider's website.
Securus Technologies Pricing Overview
Approximate pricing for common services. Exact rates may vary by facility and state contract.
Securus Technologies Fee Schedule
- Account Registration
- No cost to create a Securus account.
- Free
- Phone Calls
- Interstate rates are FCC-regulated. In-state rates vary by facility contract.
- $0.14–$0.21/min
- Video Visit
- Per-minute or flat session pricing depending on the facility.
- $0.49/min or flat
- Messaging
- Per-message pricing. Rates differ by facility.
- Varies
- Money Transfer Fee
- Fee structure depends on transfer amount and payment method.
- Varies
Prices are estimates based on publicly available information and may change. Confirm current pricing on the Securus Technologies website before use.
Securus Technologies — Pros & Cons
An honest look at the strengths and limitations of Securus Technologies.
Strengths
- Covers 1,200+ facilities across 45 states, with strong county jail and state prison presence.
- Single account covers phone, video, messaging, and money transfer at most facilities.
- Well-rated mobile app for iOS and Android simplifies account management.
- Established provider with decades of operational experience in corrections.
- Facility search tool makes it easy to confirm coverage before signing up.
Limitations
- No digital photo delivery service. Families needing photos must use a separate provider like JPay or TextBehind.
- Phone account funds and commissary funds are held in separate accounts and cannot be combined.
- In-state calling rates can be higher than regulated interstate rates.
- Customer service responsiveness varies by region and facility type.
- Not available at federal Bureau of Prisons facilities. CorrLinks and ConnectNetwork handle federal communication.
Frequently Asked Questions: Securus Technologies
Common questions from families about using Securus Technologies.
- How do I set up a Securus account?
- Go to securustech.net or download the Securus Mobile app on iOS or Android. Create a free account using your email address. Search for the facility where your loved one is housed to confirm Securus serves that location. Once confirmed, add the inmate using their ID number and fund your account to start receiving calls or scheduling video visits.
- Can I use Securus for both phone calls and video visits?
- Yes. A single Securus account covers phone calls, video visits, messaging, and money transfers at most Securus-contracted facilities. You do not need separate accounts for each service. However, your phone account balance and commissary deposit balance are tracked separately within your Securus account.
- Does Securus work at federal prisons?
- No. Federal Bureau of Prisons facilities do not use Securus. Federal inmates use CorrLinks for electronic messaging and ConnectNetwork for phone calls and video visits. Securus is for county jails and state prisons only.
- How do I schedule a video visit through Securus?
- Log into your Securus account and navigate to the video visitation section. Search for the facility, select an available time slot, and complete the booking. You will need a device with a working camera and a stable internet connection. Scheduling at least 24 to 48 hours in advance is recommended, as slots fill quickly around weekends.
- What is the difference between Securus and JPay?
- Both Securus and JPay are large correctional communication providers under the Aventiv Technologies umbrella, but they operate under separate facility contracts. Securus is strongest at county jails and select state prisons, particularly in Texas, Arizona, Illinois, and New York. JPay is strongest at state prisons across 35 states. Which one you need depends entirely on which company holds the contract at your loved one's specific facility.
Related Providers
Other inmate communication providers you may want to consider.
Get Started with Securus Technologies
Visit the official Securus Technologies website to create your account, or browse supported facilities and compare alternatives to find the best option for your family.