Questions and answers

A text-message service for families of people in U.S. prisons and jails. You text a dedicated number from your phone. We send your words, exactly as written, into the messaging system their facility uses. Their replies come back to you as texts.

Anyone 18 or older, using their own mobile number. Only the person who owns a number can sign it up. A person inside can't sign up a family member's number for them.

No. You use the regular texting on your phone.

Your name and mobile number, their full name, the name of their facility, and their ID number if you have it. You can add your email if you like.

It may be called a register number, inmate number, booking number or DOC number. Look on a letter from them, ask them on a call, or check the facility's or state's online search. If you can't find it, leave it blank and we'll help.

No. Some facilities don't allow outside services. Ask us to check a facility before you start.

No. We send your words exactly as you wrote them.

Our helper, Homeward Helper, is an automated assistant, and it always says so. It answers questions any time, checks on orders and prints, and helps with your account. A person is one text away: text PERSON to your Homeward Helper number any time.

The assistant only talks with you. It never writes to the person inside, and it never changes your messages.

No. Every plan has unlimited texts for personal messages between you and your family. Fair use applies.

Yours. You keep your own account on the messaging system their facility uses, and you give us written permission to send through it. We walk you through it. We never use an account in someone's name without their permission.

Yes. Facility staff may read messages, and facility rules decide what gets through. Write as if staff will see it.

Their replies come to your phone as texts from your HomewardText number.

One text to confirm when you sign up. After you reply YES: their messages, and updates about your service, like a trial reminder or a pause notice. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply.

Reply STOP to any text. You can also reply STOPALL, UNSUBSCRIBE, CANCEL, END or QUIT. Reply HELP or INFO for help. See our texting terms.

No. We only connect a family member or friend outside with one person inside.

We don't offer sports picks, look people up, handle anything about money requests, or send messages to or about other residents.

Yes. Text us a photo and ask for a print. Plus includes 10 free 4x6 prints a month and Family includes 20. Free prints count against 4x6 prints only. Prints already sent can't be refunded.

On any plan:

• 4x6 photo print: $0.25 each
• Letter-size print: $0.50 plain or $1.00 glossy
• Greeting card: $3.99 each
• Extra family phone number: $3 a month

Yes. Pick a card and tell us what to write. A greeting card is $3.99. On the Family plan, our assistant can remind you of birthdays and holidays and help you pick and write a card. Nothing is sent until you approve the exact words.

Ask us to look up a news article and send it to them. Article lookups are included in every plan.

Yes. Essential covers up to 2 family phone numbers, Plus up to 4, and Family up to 6. Each person signs up their own number. You can add an extra family number for $3 a month.

Yes. Paper mail is available on request. Ask us and we'll tell you how it works for their facility.

There are three plans, each for one person inside: Essential $12.99 a month, Plus $24.99 a month and Family $36.99 a month. Every plan starts with a 48-hour free trial. Compare plans.

After the 48-hour free trial, your plan renews at its plan price each month until you cancel. We text a reminder before the trial ends.

Card or digital wallet only.

Cancel anytime online at homewardtext.com/account. No phone call needed.

If you cancel within 7 days of your first charge, you get a full refund. After that we don't give partial refunds. Prints already sent can't be refunded.

We pause your service, you aren't charged for the pause, and we text you when it's back.

We delete message words and pictures after 90 days. We keep account records, like dates and phone numbers but not what you wrote, for 24 months. We keep your text-message permission records as long as the law requires.

No. We do not share your mobile number or text-message opt-in data with third parties or affiliates for marketing. Read our Privacy page.

No. This site sets no cookies, and we don't use ads or tracking.