Browse practical guides to prison correspondence, communication, family connections, and support during incarceration and reentry. Select an article title or photo to read more.
Common Misconceptions About Writing to Prisoners
A practical guide to common misconceptions about writing to prisoners, with reminders to confirm current facility rules and approved services.
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Federal-Level Crimes versus State-Level Crimes
A practical guide to federal-level crimes versus state-level crimes, with reminders to confirm current facility rules and approved services.
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How Mail Call Impacts the Mental Health of Inmates
A practical guide to how mail call impacts the mental health of inmates, with reminders to confirm current facility rules and approved services.
Read article →How Prison Labor Impacts the Economy
A practical guide to how prison labor impacts the economy, with reminders to confirm current facility rules and approved services.
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How Prison Pen Pal Friendships Help Reduce Recidivism
A practical guide to how prison pen pal friendships help reduce recidivism, with reminders to confirm current facility rules and approved services.
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How the Prison System Affects Families
A practical guide to how the prison system affects families, with reminders to confirm current facility rules and approved services.
Read article →How to Advocate for Your Incarcerated Pen Pal if They Experience Abuse or Neglect
A practical guide to how to advocate for your incarcerated pen pal if they experience abuse or neglect, with reminders to confirm current facility rules and approved services.
Read article →How to Communicate Safely and Respectfully with Inmates (Setting Boundaries)
A practical guide to how to communicate safely and respectfully with inmates (setting boundaries), with reminders to confirm current facility rules and approved services.
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How to Communicate with Inmates in Different States: Rules You Need to Know
A practical guide to how to communicate with inmates in different states: rules you need to know, with reminders to confirm current facility rules and approved services.
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How to Contact an Inmate Through ViaPath and ConnectNetwork (Formerly GTL)
Understand ConnectNetwork messaging, the ViaPath name, account types, facility availability, and the transition to myViaPath.
Read article →How to Find an Inmate’s Mailing Address in State Prisons
A practical guide to how to find an inmate’s mailing address in state prisons, with reminders to confirm current facility rules and approved services.
Read article →How to Find Out What You Can and Cannot Send to a Federal Prison
A practical guide to how to find out what you can and cannot send to a federal prison, with reminders to confirm current facility rules and approved services.
Read article →How to Find Out What You Can and Cannot Send to a State Prison
A practical guide to how to find out what you can and cannot send to a state prison, with reminders to confirm current facility rules and approved services.
Read article →How to Help a Federal Inmate Without Overstepping: Letters, Calls & Encouragement
A practical guide to how to help a federal inmate without overstepping: letters, calls & encouragement, with reminders to confirm current facility rules and approved services.
Read article →How to Help a State Inmate Without Overstepping: Letters, Calls & Encouragement
A practical guide to how to help a state inmate without overstepping: letters, calls & encouragement, with reminders to confirm current facility rules and approved services.
Read article →How to Keep Your Communication Private and Secure (Protecting Your Info)
A practical guide to how to keep your communication private and secure (protecting your info), with reminders to confirm current facility rules and approved services.
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How to Keep Your Incarcerated Friend or Loved One in Federal Prison Motivated
A practical guide to how to keep your incarcerated friend or loved one in federal prison motivated, with reminders to confirm current facility rules and approved services.
Read article →How to Keep Your Incarcerated Friend or Loved One in State Prison Motivated
A practical guide to how to keep your incarcerated friend or loved one in state prison motivated, with reminders to confirm current facility rules and approved services.
Read article →How to Keep Your Incarcerated Friend or Loved One Motivated
A practical guide to how to keep your incarcerated friend or loved one motivated, with reminders to confirm current facility rules and approved services.
Read article →How to Make Sure Your Mail Reaches the Prisoner: Avoiding Rejected Mail
A practical guide to how to make sure your mail reaches the prisoner: avoiding rejected mail, with reminders to confirm current facility rules and approved services.
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How to Manage Communication Costs with Federal Inmates (Without Breaking the Bank)
A practical guide to how to manage communication costs with federal inmates (without breaking the bank), with reminders to confirm current facility rules and approved services.
Read article →How to Manage Communication Costs with State Inmates (Without Breaking the Bank)
A practical guide to how to manage communication costs with state inmates (without breaking the bank), with reminders to confirm current facility rules and approved services.
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How to Schedule and Prepare for a Phone Call with an Inmate
A practical guide to how to schedule and prepare for a phone call with an inmate, with reminders to confirm current facility rules and approved services.
Read article →How to Send Money to an Inmate Safely and Legally
A practical guide to how to send money to an inmate safely and legally, with reminders to confirm current facility rules and approved services.
Read article →How to Send Photos, Cards, and Approved Gifts to Inmates
A practical guide to how to send photos, cards, and approved gifts to inmates, with reminders to confirm current facility rules and approved services.
Read article →How to Set Up and Use Email Communication with Inmates (Through JPay, Corrlinks, etc.)
A practical guide to how to set up and use email communication with inmates (through jpay, corrlinks, etc.), with reminders to confirm current facility rules and approved services.
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How to Start a Conversation with Your Prison Pen Pal
A practical guide to how to start a conversation with your prison pen pal, with reminders to confirm current facility rules and approved services.
Read article →How to Start a Long-Distance Friendship (or Relationship) with a Federal Inmate
A practical guide to how to start a long-distance friendship (or relationship) with a federal inmate, with reminders to confirm current facility rules and approved services.
Read article →How to Start a Long-Distance Friendship (or Relationship) with a State Inmate
A practical guide to how to start a long-distance friendship (or relationship) with a state inmate, with reminders to confirm current facility rules and approved services.
Read article →How to Stay Consistent as a Pen Pal When Life Gets Busy
A practical guide to how to stay consistent as a pen pal when life gets busy, with reminders to confirm current facility rules and approved services.
Read article →How to Understand and Use Prison Communication Apps (JPay, GTL, Securus, Corrlinks)
A practical guide to how to understand and use prison communication apps (jpay, gtl, securus, corrlinks), with reminders to confirm current facility rules and approved services.
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How to Use CIDNET for Inmate Messages, Voice Calls, and Video Visits
Learn about CIDNET accounts, contact requests, Mail CUEs, and its data-based communication model.
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How to Use CorrLinks to Contact an Inmate: Federal and State Setup
Learn how CorrLinks works, why federal contacts need an invitation, and how state-prison procedures can differ.
Read article →How to Use GettingOut / myViaPath for Inmate Messages and Video Visits
Find the current myViaPath service, understand the GettingOut rebrand, and check the correct messaging and video-visit options.
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How to Use HomeWAV to Contact an Inmate
Get ready for HomeWAV calls, video visits, and available messaging while checking approval and facility-specific rules.
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How to Use ICSolutions for Inmate Calls and Available Communication Services
Understand ICSolutions prepaid and debit calling accounts, and check which portal your facility uses for messages and visits.
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How to Use Inmate Canteen to Message or Video Call an Inmate
Find the official Inmate Canteen service, confirm facility participation, and distinguish communication from commissary functions.
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How to Use InmateSales for Inmate Calls, Messages, and Chirping
Understand InmateSales account setup, Chirping, phone funding, and the difference between communication services.
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How to Use JailATM for Inmate Email, Photos, and Video Visits
Set up JailATM carefully, check messaging availability, and understand how communication credits differ from deposits.
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How to Use JPay Email to Contact an Inmate
A practical introduction to JPay email, stamps, facility availability, replies, and finding the correct messaging service.
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How to Use NCIC Inmate Communications for Calls and Messaging
Find NCIC’s official account tools, check facility messaging availability, and prepare for your first conversation.
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How to Use Pay Tel Connect: Contact Invitations, Messages, and Calls
Understand why the incarcerated person initiates Pay Tel messaging contact and how to respond through the official service.
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How to Use Securus eMessaging to Contact an Inmate
Get started with Securus eMessaging, including finding a contact, purchasing stamps, sending a message, and understanding review.
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How to Use SmartInmate / SmartJailMail to Contact an Inmate
Learn how to create a SmartInmate account, request a connection, use messaging credits, and check photo and reply options.
Read article →How to Video Chat with Inmates: Platforms & Guidelines
A practical guide to how to video chat with inmates: platforms & guidelines, with reminders to confirm current facility rules and approved services.
Read article →How to Write Encouraging, Uplifting Letters to Someone in State Prison
A practical guide to how to write encouraging, uplifting letters to someone in state prison, with reminders to confirm current facility rules and approved services.
Read article →How to Write Your First Letter to a Federal Inmate (Step-by-Step)
A practical guide to how to write your first letter to a federal inmate (step-by-step), with reminders to confirm current facility rules and approved services.
Read article →How to Write Your First Letter to a State Inmate (Step-by-Step)
A practical guide to how to write your first letter to a state inmate (step-by-step), with reminders to confirm current facility rules and approved services.
Read article →Love & Friendship Beyond Bars: Real Stories from Pen Pals
A practical guide to love & friendship beyond bars: real stories from pen pals, with reminders to confirm current facility rules and approved services.
Read article →Prison Education Programs & Their Impact on Rehabilitation
A practical guide to prison education programs & their impact on rehabilitation, with reminders to confirm current facility rules and approved services.
Read article →State Prisons versus Federal Prisons
A practical guide to state prisons versus federal prisons, with reminders to confirm current facility rules and approved services.
Read article →The Art, Creativity, and Talent Behind Prison Walls
A practical guide to the art, creativity, and talent behind prison walls, with reminders to confirm current facility rules and approved services.
Read article →The Do’s and Don’ts of Writing to Inmates
A practical guide to the do’s and don’ts of writing to inmates, with reminders to confirm current facility rules and approved services.
Read article →The History of Pen Pal Programs for Inmates
A practical guide to the history of pen pal programs for inmates, with reminders to confirm current facility rules and approved services.
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The Link Between Mass Incarceration and Mental Health
A practical guide to the link between mass incarceration and mental health, with reminders to confirm current facility rules and approved services.
Read article →The Reality of Prison Life: What Media Gets Wrong
A practical guide to the reality of prison life: what media gets wrong, with reminders to confirm current facility rules and approved services.
Read article →Understanding Prison Slang & Culture
A practical guide to understanding prison slang & culture, with reminders to confirm current facility rules and approved services.
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What Happens After Release? Life Beyond Prison
A practical guide to what happens after release? life beyond prison, with reminders to confirm current facility rules and approved services.
Read article →What is Recidivism?
A practical guide to what is recidivism?, with reminders to confirm current facility rules and approved services.
Read article →What You Can and Can’t Send to an Inmate
A practical guide to what you can and can't send to an inmate, with reminders to confirm current facility rules and approved services.
Read article →Why Writing to an Incarcerated Pen Pal Can Change a Life (Including Yours)
A practical guide to why writing to an incarcerated pen pal can change a life (including yours), with reminders to confirm current facility rules and approved services.
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