Most facilities require tablets to come through approved vendors, not direct purchase
You cannot walk into a store, buy a tablet, and mail it to an inmate. Nearly every correctional facility in the United States restricts what devices enter the facility and who can send them. Most prisons and jails require tablets to be purchased through one or two approved vendors that the facility has contracted with — typically JPay, Securus, or a facility-specific provider. These vendors sell tablets pre-loaded with security software that prevents access to the internet, camera functions, and other features the facility considers a risk.
The tablet itself is usually cheaper than you might expect — often $200 to $400 — but the real cost comes from the limited functionality and the fees attached to every transaction. Before you spend money, you need to know which vendor your facility uses and what the actual restrictions are.
Key Takeaways
- Your facility's approved vendor is the only legal way to send a tablet to an inmate; mailing a commercial tablet will be confiscated or rejected.
- JPay and Securus are the two largest vendors, but some facilities use their own system or a regional provider, so you must check your facility's rules first.
- Tablets sold through these vendors cost $200 to $400 but come with restricted features — no internet, no camera, no app downloads — and monthly service fees.
- You typically purchase the tablet through the vendor's website or app, and it is shipped directly to the facility's receiving department, not to the inmate's cell.
- Some facilities allow tablets only for certain inmates or only in certain housing units, so confirm the inmate's may be able to access before purchasing.
How to find your facility's approved tablet vendor
Start by contacting the facility directly. Call the main number and ask for the commissary office or inmate services department. Tell them you want to send a tablet and ask which vendor they use. Write down the vendor's name, website, and any account number or facility code you need to complete a purchase.
If you cannot reach the facility by phone, visit its official website. Most state and federal prisons post a list of approved vendors and commissary rules in a section labeled "Inmate Services," "Commissary," or "Programs." County jails often post this information on the sheriff's office website. If the facility's website does not list the vendor, call again and ask for the commissary office email address so you can send a written request.
Do not assume your facility uses JPay or Securus just because they are the largest. Some state prison systems use their own platform, and many county jails contract with regional vendors. Sending a tablet through the wrong vendor will result in it being returned or confiscated.
What JPay and Securus tablets include and cost
JPay and Securus tablets are not consumer devices. They run a locked-down version of Android with pre-installed security software that monitors and restricts what the inmate can do. The tablet cannot connect to the facility's Wi-Fi or any external internet. It cannot make phone calls or send text messages outside the system. The camera is disabled. The inmate cannot read apps or install software.
What the inmate can do depends on the facility's contract with the vendor. Most systems allow email (called "messaging" or "electronic mail"), video visitation, access to legal documents, and purchase of digital content like books or music. Some facilities allow games or educational programs. The facility decides which features are active, not the vendor.
A JPay or Securus tablet typically costs $200 to $400 to purchase. Monthly service fees range from $5 to $15, depending on the facility and the plan you choose. You may also pay per-transaction fees for things like video visits ($0.50 to $1 per minute) or digital content purchases. These fees add up quickly if the inmate uses the tablet regularly.
How to purchase and send a tablet through the vendor
Once you know which vendor your facility uses, go to their website or read their app. Create an account using your name, email, and phone number. You will need to provide the inmate's full name, inmate number, and facility name so the vendor can route the tablet to the correct location.
Select the tablet model and service plan. Most vendors offer one or two options at different price points. Read the description carefully to see what features are included — some plans include video visitation, others do not. Add the tablet to your cart and proceed to checkout.
Payment is usually by credit card or debit card. Some vendors accept prepaid cards or money orders, but this is less common. After you complete the purchase, the vendor will ship the tablet directly to the facility's receiving department, not to the inmate's cell. Shipping typically takes one to three weeks. The facility will inspect the tablet when it arrives, and if it passes security screening, it will be delivered to the inmate.
Keep your receipt and the tracking number. If the tablet does not arrive within the timeframe the vendor quoted, contact the vendor's customer service with your order number. If the facility rejects the tablet, the vendor should issue a refund, but this process can take 30 to 60 days.
Restrictions and may be able to access rules that vary by facility
Not every inmate can receive a tablet. Some facilities restrict tablets to inmates in minimum-security housing or to those with a certain custody level. Others allow tablets only in specific units or only for inmates who have been incarcerated for a minimum length of time. A few facilities do not allow tablets at all.
Before you purchase, confirm that the inmate is may be able to access. Call the facility's commissary office or check the facility's website for a list of approved items and any restrictions on who can receive them. If the inmate is in segregation, protective custody, or a disciplinary unit, they may be temporarily ineligible. Ask whether may be able to access will change and when.
Some facilities also restrict what the inmate can do with the tablet. They may limit the number of video visits per month, restrict access to certain messaging features, or disable the ability to purchase digital content. These rules are set by the facility, not the vendor, so ask the commissary office what the specific restrictions are for your facility.
What happens if the facility rejects the tablet
A tablet can be rejected for several reasons: it does not meet the facility's security standards, the inmate is not may be able to access, the inmate already has a tablet, or the facility's receiving department is not accepting new devices at that time. If this happens, the vendor will notify you and usually offer a refund or the option to resubmit the order later.
If the tablet is rejected, do not try to mail a commercial tablet to the inmate. It will be confiscated, and the inmate may face disciplinary action. Instead, contact the facility's commissary office and ask why the tablet was rejected and whether you can send one in the future. If the inmate is ineligible due to custody level or housing unit, ask when that might change.
Some facilities have waiting lists for tablets or accept them only during certain months. If this is the case, ask the commissary office when the next window will open and whether you can place an order in advance.
Alternatives if tablets are not available or too expensive
If your facility does not offer tablets or the cost is too high, there are other ways to stay in contact. Most facilities allow email through the vendor's system, which you can access from your own device without buying anything for the inmate. Some facilities offer video visitation through kiosks in the visiting room or through a vendor app on your phone. Phone calls are available at most facilities, though they are expensive and monitored.
You can also send physical mail, which is free and does not require any technology. Letters and photos are allowed at nearly every facility, though they may be screened for contraband or security concerns. Ask the facility what types of mail are permitted and whether there are any restrictions on size, content, or format.
If cost is the main barrier, some facilities offer commissary information programs or allow family members to contribute to an inmate's account through the vendor's website. Ask the commissary office whether these options exist at your facility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a regular tablet from Best Buy or Amazon and send it to an inmate?
No. Nearly all facilities will confiscate a commercial tablet because it has internet access, a camera, and other features the facility considers security risks. You must purchase through the facility's approved vendor. Attempting to send an unauthorized device may result in disciplinary action against the inmate.
What if my facility uses a vendor I have never heard of?
Some facilities contract with smaller regional vendors or use their own in-house system. These work the same way as JPay or Securus — you purchase through their website, provide the inmate's information, and the tablet is shipped to the facility. The process is identical; the vendor is just less well-known.
Can the inmate use the tablet to call or text people outside the facility?
No. Tablets sold through correctional vendors cannot make calls or send text messages. They can only send messages within the vendor's system to people you have authorized. Phone calls must be made through the facility's phone system, which is separate from the tablet.
How long does it take for the tablet to arrive after I purchase it?
Shipping to the facility typically takes one to three weeks. After it arrives, the facility's receiving department will inspect it, which can add another one to two weeks. Total time from purchase to delivery to the inmate is usually one to four weeks, depending on the vendor and the facility's processing speed.
What if the inmate gets in trouble or is transferred to another facility?
If the inmate is transferred, the tablet may or may not go with them, depending on the receiving facility's rules. If the inmate is placed in segregation or loses commissary privileges, the tablet may be confiscated temporarily. Contact the new facility to ask whether they accept tablets and whether the inmate can keep the one you purchased.