Eligible inmates are currently allowed to rent a device called “Inmate Chirping,” where they can use it to send “chirps” to individuals approved by the facility. The people here are usually the inmate’s family and friends, not other inmates, victims, witnesses, or any other person blocked by the facility.
In order to send messages via a chirping device, family, friends, or people who are chirped by inmates have to put money on an inmate chirping account. However, many people do not yet know how to put money on an inmate chirp account. If you also need the guide to add funds to your loved one’s Chirp account, thankfully, we’ll show it for you below!
Adding Funds to an Inmate’s Chirp Account: Here’s How!
For the first three days of ownership of the chirping device, inmates can send five free automated messages each day to people who are approved by the facility. Usually, the individuals who receive a chirp from an inmate will be taken to a direct link to the inmate’s account, which allows them to put money on the inmate’s account.
If they’re not willing, they can ignore it and reply to the chirp message with “Stop.” If they’re willing to add funds to an inmate’s account, they can do it by following on-screen instructions, which usually allow them to use their credit card.
Putting money into an inmate’s Chirp account can be done via inmatesales.com. To do so, ensure you’ve created an account on the website first. If you already have one, you can do the following steps to add funds to the inmate’s chirp account:
- First, go to inmatesales.com.
- From the Inmate Sales homepage, you need to log into your account using your credentials.
- Then, enter your email, username, and password you created during registration. Click the “LogIn” button.
- Once you are logged in, you need to click on the “New Purchase” option.
- From the New Purchase option, you need to select the facility by entering the name of the correctional facility where an inmate is incarcerated in the search bar. After it shows the result, you can click on the facility.
- Then, you need to select the product you want. Here, you need to make a deposit or add funds to an inmate’s chirp account.
- Make sure to enter the amount of money you want to put into an inmate’s chirp account.
- Select “Make Payment” to select your preferred payment method (debit card, credit card, or bank account).
- Last, you can follow on-screen instructions after you complete the payment process.
Congratulations! You’ve successfully put money on the inmate’s chirp account. After your payment is processed, the money will automatically be added to the inmate’s account balance. Inmates can then use it to make phone calls, send messages, or make a video visitation schedule.
How Much Does Inmate Chirping Device and Its Services Cost?
We must first say that the cost of chirping devices may differ in each correctional facility. You need to know that the chirping device on the facility uses a rent system, which means that there will be a monthly fee for both the device and its services.
Generally, the chirping cost is approximately $4.00 for a monthly service fee, which will be deducted each month from the inmate’s account. If they do not have enough balance, the chirping device rental may be charged.
For inbound and outbound chirps, it may charge $0.10 each. Of course, the cost will apply if inmates send chirps both inbound and outbound, which are up to 160 characters. If more, it will be charged as an individual message.
It is important to note that renting a chirping device means you need to be subject to regulations and agreements. If inmates accidentally break the chirping device while they’re in custody, they may need to pay $200 to compensate for the damage.
In addition, inmates should return the chirping device when they’re released from prison. If the remaining balance is still available in their account balance, they can make a request for a refund by calling Inmate Sales Customer Service at 1-877-998-5678. To note, if inmates run out of monthly rental funds and cannot fund their chirp account again, they should turn in the device to the facility.
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