JailATM is the name of a service that makes it possible for the family members or friends of the inmates to do a few things such as sending them money, purchasing gift packs for them, sending them emails, or scheduling video calls with them. It has been widely used for managing inmate accounts, deposits, and some other related services in correctional facilities across the United States. However, it is not perfect. That’s why some are looking for alternatives to find a better one.
What are the Alternatives to JailATM?
There are a few services that can be alternatives to JailATM. Some of them are as follows:
1. JPay
The first alternative to JailATM is JPay. It is a subsidiary of Securus Technology. It is one of the best alternatives as the services it offers for inmate communication and financial transactions vary. Depositing funds into the account of the inmate, scheduling video visitations, and exchanging messages are among the things that can be done with JPay.
One of the reasons why JPay is worth considering is the fact that it offers some features such as educational contents. For those who are curious with the educational contents offered by the company, the list includes:
- JPay’s Lantern: It is described as a cross-functional program that allows inmates to access education. This program is designed in an effort to minimize recidivism.
- KA Lite: There are thousands of education videos in KA Lite with varied subjects, including science, math, computers, language arts, and so on. These videos are created specifically for self-guided learning and are available for free. To watch the video, the inmates can just download them to their JPay Tablet from the JPay Kiosks.
- eBooks: Reading books can now be done at correctional facilities with this feature. To enjoy a variety of books, inmates have to get a JPay Tablet first and then go to JPay’s library.
- Educational Games: For the inmates that prefer learning through games, this feature is here. In JPay Tablets, a lot of educational games are offered.
To access these educational contents and to help inmates to connect with their loved ones in general, JPays offers tablet options. There are three tablet models with universal features, as follows:
- JP6S Tablet
- JP5S Tablet
- JP5S Mini
With its versatility and extensive range of services, there is no doubt that JPay is the perfect option for inmate account management.
2. CorrLinks
The second alternative to JailATM is called CorrLinks. It can be counted as a unique alternative as it focuses on secure messaging services for inmates. On the platform, the users, which can be a family member or a friend of an inmate, can exchange messages with their loved one who is currently sitting behind the bar. During the process, everything is monitored, preventing all involved individuals from breaking the rules set by the facility.
If you are a family member or a friend of an inmate, you can follow the following instructions to send a message to your loved one:
- First and foremost, login to the official website of CorrLinks at www.corrlinks.com.
- After logging in, click Mailbox.
- Then, click New Message.
- In the “Click to add recipients” section, please click the mouse and then check the box located beside the name of the inmate.
- Do not forget to click Ok.
- In the next step, enter the subject and then write down the message that you would like for your loved one to read.
- When everything is done, it is time for you to click Send.
3. SmartJailMail
SmartJailATM can also be an alternative to JailATM, just like the others included in the list. This one has an easy-to-use online communications system that can be used by family and friends of inmates, prisoners, and detainees in the correctional institutions to keep in touch with their loved ones. There are several features offered by the company, including deposits, video visitation scheduling, and access to digital mail services.
In order to sign up for SmartJailMail, here is step by step to follow:
1. Firstly, go to the official website of SmartJailMail at https://www.smartjailmail.com.
2. When you are there, click the Sign Up button.
3. On the new page, enter account details such as username and password.
4. Then, enter personal information including first name, last name, address, city, state or region, zip or postal code, date of birth, gender, and email address.
5. After entering the information, tick the box “I agree to be found by the Terms of Services”.
6. Finally, click Create Account or press Enter on your keyboard.
4. Connect Network
For anyone who is looking for the alternative to JailATM, you may want to consider Connect Network. It is provided by GTL or Global Tel Link. This one offers good management services for inmates. To deposit to inmate accounts, user have several options, such as online, through mobile apps, and at kiosks. Just like some service providers in the list, it also provides some other features such as email communication, video visitation, and access to educational content.
5. Access Corrections
In addition to these alternatives, there is also Access Corrections that can be an alternative to JailATM. This one offers comprehensive services for managing inmate accounts. By using this service, the family members and friends of inmates will be able to deposit funds to the account that belongs to the inmate securely. They can do it through kiosks available at the facility. If they have no time to visit the facility, they can also do it online. To streamline the deposit process, mobile apps, as well as a few payment options are provided by the company. Besides, there are also some other features offered, including messaging, photo sharing, purchasing commissary items, and so on.
Bottom Line
As technology keeps developing, family or friends of inmates want the best to communicate with their loved ones behind the bar. If they are not satisfied with JailMail or if they find JailMail is lacking, they surely want to consider other providers. JPay, CorrLinks, SmartJailMail, Connect Network, and Access Corrections are just a few examples of the many alternatives that are available in the market. All of them share similar aims, which are to simplify the deposit process, make communication better, and improve overall inmate management. To give the best things for inmates and their closed ones, the correctional facilities have to explore and evaluate these alternatives.
A bookworm and researcher especially related to law and citizenship education. I spend time every day in front of the internet and the campus library.
