Question 1

Does EasyTextNow work for state or county jails?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 2

How does setup work, and how long does it take?

Accepted Answer

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. They can usually start texting within the hour after adding it.

Question 3

I paid — why isn't my loved one texting yet?

Accepted Answer

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).

Question 4

How fast do messages arrive?

Accepted Answer

Your texts reach the inmate within seconds to a few minutes. Their replies travel out of the facility in batches through the corrections system, so they typically reach you in about 10 minutes. That's normal — nothing is lost.

Question 5

Can several family members support the same person?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 6

What's the difference between the plans?

Accepted Answer

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 15 free photo prints per month, printed and mailed straight to the facility. Yearly plans give you 2 months free.

Question 7

How do photo prints work?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 8

Is this legal? Are you part of the Bureau of Prisons?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 9

What happens during a lockdown or if they're transferred?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 10

How do I cancel?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 11

Can I get a refund?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 12

Can the inmate call me through this?

Accepted Answer

No — EasyTextNow is text-based: SMS, photos, and emails. No voice calls. For calls, use the facility's regular phone system.

Question 13

Is there a free trial?

Accepted Answer

Yes — 3 days, completely free, no credit card and no signup. The incarcerated person simply adds ft@textmailgo.com as a contact in their prison email system and our system sends them texting instructions automatically, usually within the hour. Trial messages come from a shared phone number; paid plans include a private number. See easytextnow.com/free-trial for details.

Question 14

Is my payment information safe?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Card payments are processed by Stripe — your card details go directly to Stripe and we never see or store your card number.

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