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Volunteer Guide

How to write to your pen pal.

Step-by-step instructions for all five e-platforms — CorrLinks, ConnectNetwork, GettingOut, Securus, and SMARTINMATE — plus the USPS mail option. Read whichever section matches your pen pal's platform. You'll be set up in fifteen minutes.

Before you start

✓ Do

  • Be kind and respectful
  • Keep your first message short — just an introduction
  • As correspondence evolves, write regularly and consistently — this is the most important thing for someone who is incarcerated
  • Double-check the inmate's ID number before adding them as a contact
  • Use the Ministry return address on USPS letters (never your home address)

✗ Don't

  • DO NOT share your home address, phone number, or email address with the inmate
  • DO NOT send inappropriate content — it may be blocked and may also affect the inmate
  • DO NOT use stickers, glitter, scented paper, or colored ink in USPS letters
  • DO NOT use an alias on e-platforms (only USPS allows this)
  • DO NOT send the same letter to multiple inmates — each pen pal deserves something written for them

Pick the option below that matches the platform your pen pal uses (it's listed on their profile and in your approval email):

ConnectNetwork

ViaPath Technologies (formerly GTL)
What it is: ConnectNetwork is part of ViaPath Technologies. In addition to deposits, phone funding, and account management, ConnectNetwork DOES support e-messaging at many facilities. Some facilities use ConnectNetwork messaging, some use GettingOut messaging, and some use both together.
  1. Create an account
    • Go to connectnetwork.com
    • Click Create Account and enter your legal name, email, password, and phone number
  2. Add the inmate
    • Search using the inmate's full name, state, and inmate ID number
    • Select the correct inmate profile
  3. Purchase credits
    • Some facilities require message credits, media credits, or funding deposits
    • Approximate messaging cost: 1 credit = 1 message
  4. Send your first message
    • Character limit: 2,000 characters per message
    • Keep your first message short, respectful, and encouraging
Important:
  • ConnectNetwork and GettingOut both operate under ViaPath Technologies
  • Some facilities require manual approval before messaging can begin
  • International users may experience verification-code delays
  • Features differ depending on each facility's contract
  • Your real name is visible to the inmate

GettingOut

ViaPath / ConnectNetwork
What it is: E-Messages are sent through a private system (not standard email) and may be reviewed before delivery.
  1. Create an account
    • Go to gettingout.com or download the GettingOut mobile app (iOS & Android)
    • Click Sign Up and enter your full name, email, and password
  2. Add the inmate
    • Log in
    • Go to Contacts / Messages
    • Select the state and facility
    • Search by inmate name or ID number
    • Add the inmate as a contact
  3. Add funds (E-Stamps)
    • Messaging requires E-Stamps — one per message or photo, $0.20 each
    • Add funds to your account using a credit card
  4. Send your first E-message
    • Click the inmate contact
    • Select the Message option
    • Write a short introduction and send
Important:
  • Your real name is visible, but no other personal information is shown
  • Messages may temporarily show as "pending" before approval
  • Features (photos, replies) depend on the facility
  • Keep messages cordial and respectful

Securus E-Messaging

Most common — many states including Texas, Arkansas
What it is: Securus E-Messages are sent through a for-profit private system. Once delivered to the facility, each message is reviewed by prison staff before delivery to the inmate's tablet. Each state sets its own character limit per message — Texas allows 20,000 characters; Arkansas allows only 4,000 (spaces count too).
  1. Create a Securus account
    • Go to securustech.online/#/enroll
    • Click Enroll
    • Enter your full name, email, password (and confirm password)
    • Read the terms and conditions, then click Accept to create your account
    • Security questions: on the next screen, answer security questions to safeguard your account (e.g., "name of your first pet")
    • Personal information: Securus needs to verify your identity. Securus will share only your first and last name with your inmate pen pal — no other information you enter here is shared
  2. Add the inmate
    • Log in
    • Go to Contacts → Add New Contact
    • Enter: inmate first name, last name, state of incarceration, and facility name
    • For Texas: select the last drop-down option TDCJ. For Arkansas: select the last drop-down option AR-DOC
    • Search the Securus database for that inmate
    • IMPORTANT: when your inmate appears in the list, double-check the name AND the ID number to confirm you've selected the correct person. Sometimes there are several inmates with the same last name — the ID number is the deciding detail.
    • Add the inmate as a contact
  3. Compose and send your first message
    • Purchase a few E-Messaging Stamps from Securus (the cost per stamp differs by state but is always less than a first-class USPS stamp)
    • Write a short introduction
    • Send — your account name is visible to the inmate
Important:
  • Each message is reviewed by prison staff before delivery
  • Character limits vary by state — Texas 20,000; Arkansas 4,000 (spaces counted)
  • Your first and last name are shared with the inmate; nothing else from your profile

SMARTINMATE

Smart Communications
What it is: Messages can be delivered instantly after review depending on facility rules — generally faster than postal mail.
  1. Create an account
    • Go to smartinmate.com
    • Click Sign Up
    • Enter your details and create a username + password
  2. Verify your account
    • Check your email for a verification code
    • Enter the code to activate your account
  3. Add the inmate
    • Search using inmate name and ID number
    • Send a connection request
    • Wait for approval
  4. Buy message credits
    • Each message uses 1 credit ($0.50)
  5. Send your first message
    • Go to Messages
    • Select the inmate
    • Write a short introduction
Important:
  • Messages can be instant or delayed (facility review)
  • No file attachments in messages
  • Your account name is visible to the inmate

TextBehind

Digital mail service — bridges paper mail and electronic messaging
What it is: You compose letters, greeting cards, or kids' drawings on the TextBehind website or app. TextBehind processes them at their facility in Maryland, then delivers a digital copy to the inmate via the prison's tablet system. Faster than USPS, often cheaper than postage.
  1. Create an account
    • Go to textbehind.com or download the TextBehind mobile app
    • Click Sign Up and enter your name, email, and password
    • Verify your email
  2. Add the inmate
    • Search for the inmate by name and ID number
    • Confirm the facility supports TextBehind
    • Add the inmate as a recipient
  3. Compose your letter
    • Pick a template (plain letter, greeting card, kids' drawing scan)
    • Type your message — most letters allow up to ~6,000 characters per page
    • Optionally attach a photo (subject to facility content rules)
  4. Pay for delivery
    • Letters typically cost $1.50–$3.00 depending on length and add-ons (photos, color)
    • Pay with credit card per letter, or buy a credit pack for a small discount
  5. Track delivery
    • TextBehind processes letters at their Maryland facility — usually next-day delivery
    • You'll see status updates: Submitted → In Process → Delivered
    • Inmate replies come back through TextBehind to your inbox
Important:
  • Letters can be rejected by facility staff for inappropriate content — TextBehind doesn't refund rejected letters
  • Don't include URLs, email addresses, phone numbers, or anything that looks like contraband
  • Photos must follow strict facility rules — no nudity, no gang signs, no images of weapons or drugs
  • If a letter sits at "In Process" for more than 5 business days, contact TextBehind support

USPS Mail (paper letter option)

For inmates without an e-platform — and the only option that allows an alias
What it is: A traditional hand-written or typed paper letter sent through the U.S. Postal Service. The Ministry handles the return address so your home address is never shared.
⚠ Required for every USPS letter — no exceptions
All volunteers MUST use the Ministry's address as the return address on every USPS letter — never your personal home address. This protects your privacy and ensures the inmate's reply gets routed safely back to you. The full return address block is in Step 4 below.
  1. Use the right paper and envelope
    • Plain white bond paper, 8½ × 11 inches — type or write in black or blue ink only
    • Use only one side of the page
    • No. 10 envelope (4⅛ × 9½ inches)
    • No labels, glitter, or stickers on envelopes or letters
  2. Keep your first letter short
    • Some prisons have a one- or two-page limit. Keep your first letter brief until you learn what their facility allows.
  3. Address it correctly — every line matters
    • The inmate's full name
    • The inmate's ID number (when there is one)
    • The prison name
    • The complete inmate mailing address (sometimes a different state than where they're incarcerated — many prisons require letters to go through a central clearing house first for inspection)
  4. Use the Ministry return address (this is the alias-friendly part)
    • On both your envelope AND at the top of your letter, use this return address:
    Jeff's Second Family PenPal Ministry
c/o Food For Children, Inc.
70-22 165th Street
Flushing, NY 11365
ATTN: (Your First Name OR your chosen ALIAS)
  5. Optional: choose an ALIAS
    • USPS-only correspondence is the only option where you can use a chosen first name (alias) instead of your real first name
    • Just let the Ministry know which alias you'll be using so the inmate's reply gets routed back to the right person
  6. How replies work
    • The inmate's reply comes to the Ministry's address (above), not to your home
    • Once we receive the reply, we open it, scan it, and forward it to you via your email address
    • The same process repeats each time going forward
If you don't follow the page-limit, paper, envelope, and address rules, your letter will be returned unopened to the Ministry — and your inmate pen pal won't receive it. Take a minute to double-check before you mail.
P.S. — Important: Once you make your decision, please let us know which inmate(s) you will be corresponding with so that our spreadsheet may be updated. This helps us keep track of those inmates who are still without a PenPal volunteer. Please also remember to let us know what ALIAS NAME you will be using, so that we can forward any scanned letters from your pen pal to you via your email address.

📝 First message template — copy and personalize

A short, warm introduction in Richard's words. Replace the italicized example details with your own — your background, your hobbies. Don't share specific personal info like home address, phone number, or social media. Two versions below — pick the one that matches how you'll be writing.

Version 1 First Letter — E-platform

For CorrLinks, ConnectNetwork, GettingOut, Securus, and SMARTINMATE
Important: E-platforms require your real first name. NO alias is permitted on CorrLinks, ConnectNetwork, GettingOut, Securus, or SMARTINMATE.
Hi [Inmate's Name]:

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is [Your Real First Name]. I am participating in the Jeff's Second Family PenPal Ministry program and recently learned of your interest in establishing a dialogue. If you'd like, I can send letters to you periodically, and would look forward to hearing back from you.

A bit about myself: [Two or three sentences — for example: "After working 42 years I recently retired from jobs in healthcare and education. I have done some volunteer work in my community with children, tutoring them two afternoons per week in math and writing. I also taught a 5th grade CCD class once per week at my parish school."]

[Optional: I am enclosing — and, should you wish, will continue to enclose from time to time — meditations, jokes, and riddles which I have shared during class.]

In terms of hobbies, I [share one or two — for example: "do like listening to music and reading books from the library."] What do you like to do?

I will close for now, and look forward to hearing from you whenever you are able to write back.

Best regards,

[Your Real First Name]

Version 2 First Letter — USPS Mail

Includes the Ministry's return-address block
Note: USPS is the only option where you may use an alias instead of your real first name. Just let the Ministry know which alias you're using so we can route your replies correctly.
[Today's Date]

[YOUR RETURN ADDRESS — use the Ministry's address, not yours]
Jeff's Second Family PenPal Ministry
c/o Food For Children, Inc.
70-22 165th Street
Flushing, NY 11365
ATTN: [Your First Name OR your chosen ALIAS]


[INMATE MAILING ADDRESS]
[Inmate's Full Name and ID#]
[Prison Name]
[Complete Inmate Mailing Address]


Hi [Inmate's Name]:

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is [Your First Name]. I am participating in the Jeff's Second Family PenPal Ministry program and recently learned of your interest in establishing a dialogue. If you'd like, I can send letters to you periodically, and would look forward to hearing back from you.

A bit about myself: [Two or three sentences — for example: "After working 42 years I recently retired from jobs in healthcare and education. I have done some volunteer work in my community with children, tutoring them two afternoons per week in math and writing. I also taught a 5th grade CCD class once per week at my parish school."]

[Optional: I am enclosing — and, should you wish, will continue to enclose from time to time — meditations, jokes, and riddles which I have shared during class.]

In terms of hobbies, I [share one or two — for example: "do like listening to music and reading books from the library."] What do you like to do?

I will close for now, and look forward to hearing from you whenever you are able to write back.

Best regards,

[Your First Name OR your chosen ALIAS]

Need a deeper guide on a specific platform?

We've also built detailed walk-throughs for each of the major messaging platforms used by U.S. correctional facilities, including ones not covered above:

Securus eMessaging Guide TextBehind Guide GettingOut Guide CorrLinks Guide How to Write to an Inmate

Ready to begin?

If you've already been matched, you can pick up a pen (or open the app) and write that first letter today. If you haven't joined the ministry yet, sign up — it takes about 90 seconds.

✉️ Become a Pen Pal — Register Free