You can text an inmate using a third-party service like InmateDB, but you don’t send texts directly to their phone. Instead, you send a message through an online platform, and the inmate reads and replies on a facility tablet or kiosk. Here’s how it works, step by step.
Step 1: Understand how inmate messaging really works
Facilities don’t give inmates cell phones. Instead, they provide tablets or kiosks with approved apps. When you use a texting an inmate service, your message goes to the company’s servers, gets screened by facility security, then appears on the inmate’s device. They type a reply, it gets screened again, and comes to your phone or email as a text. It’s not instant, but it’s the closest thing to a real-time conversation you can get.
Most services charge a monthly fee. InmateDB, for example, costs $19.99 per month with a 5-day free trial for each new inmate. That covers unlimited messages, photos, and letters. The inmate doesn’t pay anything on their end.
Step 2: Pick a service that works for your facility
Not every service works in every jail or prison. Before you sign up, check the facility’s approved vendor list. Some facilities only allow one provider. Others let you choose from a few. If you’re not sure, call the facility’s visitor center or check their website. The worst thing is to pay for a month and find out the inmate can’t receive messages.
InmateDB works in many U.S. and Canadian facilities, but you should confirm yours is on their list before subscribing.
Step 3: Create your account and add the inmate
You’ll need the inmate’s full name and their inmate ID number (sometimes called a booking number or DOC number). You’ll also need your own email and a credit or debit card for the free trial. The signup process takes about five minutes. You’ll choose a username and password, then search for the inmate by facility. If the inmate isn’t in the system yet, you can request they be added — but that can take a few days.
Step 4: Send your first message
Once the inmate is linked to your account, you type a message in a web form or app. Keep it short and clear. Some services let you attach a photo. After you hit send, the message goes into a queue. It might be screened by automated software, then by a human reviewer, depending on the facility. This can take anywhere from a few minutes to 24 hours. Weekend messages often sit until Monday.
Don’t expect a reply right away. The inmate gets your message the next time they log into the tablet, which could be during recreation time or before lights out. They might write back in the same session, or the next day. If you don’t hear back in 48 hours, it’s worth checking that your message wasn’t rejected for violating a rule (like mentioning contraband or using slang that triggers filters).
Step 5: Understand the limits — and the workarounds
Most services cap message length, usually around 500 to 1000 characters. That’s about a paragraph. If you have more to say, send a letter instead. Photos are often limited to one per message, and they can’t contain nudity, gang signs, or anything the facility decides is a security risk.
Inmates can reply to your messages, but they usually can’t initiate a conversation. That means you have to send the first message every time. Some services let inmates reply to any phone number in the U.S. and Canada, which is useful if you want them to text your cell phone directly. Others only let them reply within the app. InmateDB, for instance, lets inmates text any U.S. or Canadian phone number, so you can receive replies as regular SMS.
Why replies feel slow even when they’re not
If you’re used to instant messaging, the delay can feel frustrating. But the inmate isn’t ignoring you. They might only get 15 minutes on the tablet each day. They might have to wait in line. The screening process adds time. And some facilities deliberately slow down messaging to prevent it from becoming a distraction. Try to send messages in the morning so they’re more likely to be seen by evening. And don’t send six messages in a row if you don’t get a reply — it can overwhelm the inmate and make them feel pressured.
Where to start
If you’re ready to try it, start with the free trial from a service that lists your facility. InmateDB offers a 5-day free trial for each inmate, so you can test it before committing. Go to InmateDB to check if your loved one’s facility is supported. Don’t pay for a service that doesn’t clearly list pricing and facility coverage. And if the first message doesn’t get through, call the service’s support line — most have real people who can tell you if the inmate is active or if there’s a problem with the account.