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How to Email an Inmate

You cannot send a normal email to most people in custody, but many facilities offer an electronic messaging service that works like email. Here is how it works.

How e-messaging works

Services like JPay, Securus, ViaPath and Access Corrections let you write a message online, and the facility reviews it and delivers it to the person's tablet, kiosk or print queue. Replies come back the same way. It is faster than mail but not instant, because messages are screened first.

How to set it up

Create an account with the vendor your facility uses, search for the person by name and inmate number, and add them as a contact. Some facilities require the incarcerated person to approve you first. Then you buy stamps or credits to send messages.

What it costs

Most services charge per message or per stamp, plus extra for attachments or photos. Prices differ by vendor and state, so check before you buy a bundle. Compared with regular mail it is more expensive per message, but faster.

Rules to follow

Messages are monitored. Keep content within facility rules and avoid anything threatening, coded or sexually explicit. Attachments and photos have their own limits and may be reviewed.

When to use mail instead

Letters are cheaper and many people find them more personal. Some states route all personal mail through a central scanning center, so a paper letter may end up delivered digitally to the person's tablet anyway. Check your state page for the exact process.

⚠️ Rules vary. Every state and facility sets its own policies, and they change. Treat this as general guidance and confirm details on the official corrections page for the facility. We have full mail and visiting guides for Texas, Florida, Ohio, Kentucky and Pennsylvania.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send a regular email to an inmate?
Not directly. You usually need to use the facility's approved messaging vendor, which screens each message before delivery.
How long does an e-message take?
From a few hours to a couple of days, depending on screening and how often the person can access a tablet or kiosk.
Is it free?
Usually not. Most vendors charge per message or require stamps or credits, though some states offer limited free messages.
Can I attach photos?
Often yes, with limits and extra cost. Photos are reviewed, and anything inappropriate will be rejected.
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