How to Send Email to Inmates in Jail
There is a huge difference between life in prison and outside. While the modern world comes with a myriad of gadgets, including tablets, phones, computers, etc., which can all connect to the internet, the same luxuries are rare inside security facilities.
Most of the prisons within the U.S allow inmates correspondence through either mail or phone calls.
Inside prison facilities, inmates do not have the right to own gadgets, and if they do, they are considered contraband, liable to be confiscated once found by prison officials. Other than confiscation, inmates found with contraband often go through punishment, and they may have some of their liberties stripped away.
However, in recent times, a number of prison facilities across the U.S have incorporated electronic mail as part of the inmates’ correspondence. This, however, has come with a measure of control.
This article will look at prison electronic mail, and ways for inmates to access it while incarcerated.
Some of the questions you expect to be answered in this article include:
- How inmates get an electronic mail
- Can you email an inmate for free?
- JPay email
Let’s dive in!
How to Send Email to Inmates in Jail
Until recently as already mentioned, most prison facilities across the U.S only allowed mails and phone calls. When they accepted electronic mail, the only option inmates and their loved ones had, was emailing inmates through either JPay or Access Corrections.
Access Corrections is a platform that provides secure deposit services where you deposit money into an account that an inmate can access. Through this account, an inmate can get messages and photos from their friends and loved ones.
Access Corrections also offers payment programs for inmates with which they can top up other payments, such as probation fees. The service is available 24/7, and all you need is a username and password to set up the account.
JPay is also a similar service, which provides a number of services to security facilities, helping inmates keep in touch with friends and loved ones.
Through both platforms, loved ones write emails to the inmate, the mail is sent to the prison officials, who in turn, print it out and give it to the inmate.
For you to use JPay or Access Corrections, you need to know the inmate’s ID number and where they are held. You will also need a debit or credit card to sign on to both services.
Recently there have been major developments when it comes to inmate correspondence across a number of security facilities in the U.S. Inmates are increasingly being allowed to own tablets, which can be bought either by them or their friends and loved ones. Inmates can get the money to purchase a tablet directly from their commissary account, or the tablet can be sent over.
This has been a great improvement, as through the same tablets, inmates can also get a couple of other services, including music movies, which helps them cope with the monotonous prison life.
However, it should be noted that all the services provided in terms of emails come at a price, and dependent on the service, company, or facility, the price will vary.
Emailing Inmates for Free
If you have ever been in prison or have a loved one incarcerated, you know that nearly everything at a prison facility comes at a fee. Plus, there is a markup on nearly everything, yet surprisingly enough, electronic mail is among the cheapest services in a majority of security facilities.
Emails come cheaper than stamps in prison, with prices ranging between 25 and 50 cents. You have the option of even adding a picture as an attachment while sending an email.
Email but be cheap, but for the inmates, it is never free.
JPay Emails
JPay seeks to assist families with inmates incarcerated at American facilities by facilitating easy time in contacting and making payments for the inmate. The facilities headquarters are located in Florida, where they also collaborate with local groups and people to impact society positively.
JPay offers services in over 30 states in the U.S, helping friends and family stay connected through providing cheap ways of exchanging messages, which help reduce the cost of phone calls and paper mail.
Different facilities across the U.S have the right to set their own policies on how the facilities are run. However, most will give inmates their messages from JPay at mail call. Different facilities have different rules as to how many times they have mail call during the week.
Some people may prefer to send an email near when they have a mail call at the facility; it may help reduce the waiting time between correspondences with the inmate. All you need is a JPay mail login, and you are set.
It is undeniable that JPay has taken over the security industry, and the huge amount of services it offers only makes it more marketable. Certain facilities will offer certain JPay services, such as video visits and phone calls. However, most facilities will incorporate some or all of the JPay services due to the numerous services.
However, it is worth noting that some of the services offered by JPay can be quite expensive. Such things as video calls and sending money can cost you quite a bit; sending $50 will cost you around $20.
It is easier for facilities to allow inmates to receive email without any hindrances, making correspondence easier. They also get to access more than just emails, as tablets come with more apps that allow inmates more luxuries.
They can also subscribe to newsletters and even buy books online, as long there is prior permission from prison authorities.
Of all the ways you can communicate with an inmate, an email is currently the most efficient, based on the reduced hassle it takes to create and send one, plus the charges around electronic mail. With more and more security facilities allowing inmates gadgets like tablets, it will be even easier to communicate with inmates and know how they are faring in their day-to-day lives.