Video visits, tablets, and messaging: accounts, costs, and rules
- Create the video visit account. Some Pennsylvania facilities (such as Allegheny County) require family and friends to create an account through GTL’s website.
- Get added to the contact list. At those facilities, you must have that GTL account to be added to an incarcerated individual’s video contact list.
- Plan around the facility’s operating status. Video visitation hours can be posted as 9 am to 9 pm, seven days a week, pending operational status.
Costs and time limits vary by facility. At Allegheny County, for example, video visits have a 30-minute limit and cost $0.25 per minute. Friends and family can schedule video visits in advance, and incarcerated people can also initiate visits when available.
For Pennsylvania DOC messaging, the Department uses ViaPath Technologies services. Friends and family can send emails to inmates, though all messages inmates receive are reviewed for appropriate content. The DOC doesn't create accounts or troubleshoot technical issues. For help, contact ViaPath Technologies Friends and Family Customer Service at 1-877-650-4249. Tablets work through vendors too. Pennsylvania DOC says inmates can purchase DOC-approved tablets through ViaPath Technologies. Friends and family with questions can contact ViaPath at 877-650-4249. If tablet services require a paid balance, some facilities allow friends and family to add funds to an inmate trust account.
Common Questions
Q
Can I record, upload, or share a video visit?
No. Pennsylvania DOC states that recording, uploading, sharing, or otherwise distributing a video visit is not authorized.
Q
How do I get set up to receive phone calls from an inmate?
For someone in a Pennsylvania DOC facility, the DOC states you must create a phone account through Securus to receive calls. If you need help with the account, Securus support is listed at 800-844-6591.
Q
What are typical video visit hours and costs I should plan for?
Hours and fees can vary by facility, but one Pennsylvania example (Allegheny County) lists video visitation hours as 9 am to 9 pm daily (pending operational status). That same example lists a cost of $0.25 per minute and a 30-minute time limit.
Q
How can I add money for an inmate's tablet or commissary?
Start by confirming what the facility uses. Some facilities state you can add funds to an inmate trust account to pay for tablet services, and Pennsylvania DOC advises families to review the “JPay Information” link for electronic deposits for DOC inmates. You can also see providers like Access Corrections listed for sending money, depending on the agency.
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