Frequently Asked Questions
Everything payers ask us, answered straight.
Does EasyTextNow work for state or county jails?
No. The service is only for inmates in United States FEDERAL prisons (Bureau of Prisons). Every checkout verifies the register number live against the BOP locator, so you can't accidentally pay for someone we can't serve.
How does setup work, and how long does it take?
You pay, and we give you a unique email address for your loved one. They add that address as a contact in the prison computer system — the moment they do, our system detects it and sends them instructions automatically. With Corrlinks' own processing time, instructions typically arrive within 1-2 hours of adding it.
I paid — why isn't my loved one texting yet?
The account does not work until the inmate adds the email address we gave you as a contact in their prison computer system. Nothing flows until then — not even emails to that address. Tell them the address through your normal channels (a call, a visit, another contact). If you can't reach them, contact support and we can mail them an instruction letter (up to 15 days through prison mail).
How fast do messages arrive?
Our system relays every message within seconds — but Corrlinks, the prison email system, applies its own processing time in each direction. In practice a text takes about 1 hour to reach the inmate, and their replies take about 1 hour to reach you. That timing is set by the prison system, not us — nothing is lost.
Can several family members support the same person?
Yes. An inmate can be supported by more than one payer, each with independent payments. For privacy, we never reveal to any payer that other payers exist or who they are.
What's the difference between the plans?
Starter includes unlimited texting with a private phone number and email. Premium adds photos, the ChatGPT AI assistant, and Google searches. Boss includes everything plus one free photo order per billing cycle: 1-15 prints and shipping are free, or 16-25 prints are free with $6.95 shipping. Any order, even one print, consumes the benefit; later orders before reset cost $0.40 per print plus shipping. Yearly plans give you 2 months free.
How do photo prints work?
Family texts the photos to the inmate's number, and the inmate places the print order from inside (their plan must include photo access, or they can use extra balance). We print and mail the photos directly to their facility. Boss users should submit every reference number together on the same day: their one free order is collected daily at 5:30 a.m. AST, and even a one-photo order consumes the cycle's benefit.
Is this legal? Are you part of the Bureau of Prisons?
Yes, it's legal — messages travel through the official corrections email system, which the facility monitors like any other inmate communication. EasyTextNow is an independent company and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
What happens during a lockdown or if they're transferred?
The account follows the person, not the facility — it's tied to their federal register number. During lockdowns or restrictions they may temporarily lose computer access; the account and any remaining credit stay intact and service resumes when their access does.
How do I cancel?
Any time, from the Manage Subscription page — no cancellation fees, no questions. Your subscription simply won't renew again, and any balance already on the account keeps it active until used up.
Can I get a refund?
Payments are a gift of service credit to the inmate's account, so applied balance is generally non-refundable — but if a charge was a duplicate, an error, or the account could never be set up, contact us within 30 days and we'll make it right. See the Refund Policy for details.
Can the inmate call me through this?
No — EasyTextNow is text-based: SMS, photos, and emails. No voice calls. For calls, use the facility's regular phone system.
Is there a free trial?
Yes — up to 96 hours, completely free, no credit card and no signup. The incarcerated person simply uses the current trial contact shown after the eligibility check on our free-trial page, and our system sends them texting instructions automatically (typically within 1-2 hours, due to the prison system's own processing time). Trial messages come from a shared phone number; paid plans include a private number. See easytextnow.com/free-trial for details.
Is my payment information safe?
Yes. Card payments are processed by Stripe — your card details go directly to Stripe and we never see or store your card number.
Still have a question?
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