If you’re searching for a CorrLinks alternative to text an inmate, you probably already know that CorrLinks is a popular platform used by many facilities, but it has limits — slow delivery, no photo sending, and sometimes it just doesn’t work with your loved one’s facility. The good news: there are other options, and some let you send messages, photos, and even have the inmate reply by text to your phone. One that families use is InmateDB, which works with most U.S. and Canadian facilities and doesn’t require the facility to be on a specific system.

What’s wrong with CorrLinks for texting?

CorrLinks is basically a secure email system, not a texting service. You type a message on their website or app, and the inmate reads it on a tablet or kiosk. But it’s not instant — messages can sit for hours before being delivered. And you can’t send photos. For families who just want to send a quick “thinking of you” or a picture of the kids, it feels clunky.

Also, CorrLinks only works at facilities that contract with them. If your loved one’s jail or prison uses a different vendor, you’re out of luck. That’s why people look for alternatives.

What a real texting alternative looks like

A true alternative lets you send a message from your phone, and the inmate receives it on a tablet or kiosk inside. Some services also let the inmate reply directly to your phone number — meaning you get a text back like a normal conversation. That’s the closest thing to “texting an inmate” that exists legally.

One service that does this is InmateDB. You sign up on their website, add the inmate’s details, and start sending messages. The inmate can respond, and those replies come as texts to your cell phone. You can also send photos and letters online. The whole thing costs $19.99 a month, with a 5-day free trial for each new inmate you add.

Will the inmate actually get the message?

This is the first worry families have. The answer depends on two things: whether the facility allows tablets or messaging kiosks, and whether the service you choose is approved there. InmateDB works at most facilities that have a tablet program — which is most U.S. and Canadian facilities these days. You can check their website for your specific facility, but it’s rare for it not to work.

If the facility does allow tablets, the inmate will see your message the next time they log in. Some facilities deliver messages within minutes, others batch them and deliver every few hours. It’s not as fast as a normal text, but it’s faster than postal mail.

Why replies feel slow even when they’re not

Even with a good service, replies can take a while. Inmates have limited tablet time, often just a few hours a day, and they’re competing with hundreds of other inmates for that time. So if you send a message at 10 AM and don’t get a reply until 9 PM, that’s normal. It doesn’t mean the service isn’t working.

What you can do: send your message earlier in the day, and don’t expect an immediate back-and-forth. Treat it more like email than texting, and you’ll be less frustrated.

How much does it really cost?

Cost is another big question. CorrLinks itself is free to send messages, but the inmate usually pays to send replies (often 25-50 cents each). With InmateDB, you pay the monthly subscription and the inmate’s replies are included — they don’t have to pay per message. That can save money if you message a lot.

InmateDB charges $19.99 per month, with a 5-day free trial for each inmate. That’s a flat fee, so you can send as many messages and photos as you want. Compare that to pay-per-message systems where a few exchanges a day can add up to $30-40 a month.

What you need to know before signing up

Before you choose an alternative, check with the facility. Some jails have strict rules about which services they allow. Most don’t restrict InmateDB because it’s a general messaging platform, not a phone service. But it’s always smart to ask your loved one or the facility’s information desk.

Also, make sure the inmate knows you’re using a new service. They might need to download an app on their tablet or log in to a different portal. InmateDB gives you instructions to share with them.

Where this leaves you

If CorrLinks isn’t working for you, or you want to send photos and get replies by text, an alternative like InmateDB is worth trying. The free trial lets you see if it works for your facility before you pay anything. For most families, it’s the closest thing to real texting with an inmate that exists right now.