Anoka County Workhouse Emailing An Inmate

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Anoka County Workhouse

Address:
3300 4th Avenue
Anoka, MN 55303

Phone:

763-324-4860

Send an Email or Text to an Inmate in the Anoka County Workhouse

Sending an Email, Text or Secure Electronic Message to an Inmate

The Anoka County Workhouse provides a service which allows secure electronic messaging for their inmates.

The email service they use is called Inmate Canteen.

Inmate Canteen is not directly connected to the internet like normal email, but instead each correspondence is first intercepted by the jail's servers. This gives the staff an opportunity to review the messages before delivering them to both inmates and the people that the inmates are communicating with.

Electronic messages received by the inmates are read either on kiosks within the inmate's unit, or or on tablets provided by the third party service that oversees the program.

Allowing inmates access to email has many upsides:

  • It is less expensive than regular mail.
  • It allows for faster turnaround of communication.
  • It allows the jail to monitor inmate communication in real time.
  • Because the jail receives a portion of the revenue, it brings the jail revenue they wouldn't have otherwise.
  • It is an inmate privilege that they don't want to have taken away, and thus can be used as a way to control behavior.
  • It keeps unwanted contraband from entering the facility in the physical mail.

For a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers about Inmate Canteen inmate emailing and texting, scroll down for more information about it or call the jail at 763-324-4860.

Can inmates send and receive texts and emails?

Almost all jails and prisons have adopted a messaging system which allows inmates to communicate with their friends and family using an electronic messaging system. It’s neither email nor text, it’s something in between.

The inmate and their contacts do not use their regular email accounts or phone numbers, but account numbers that are set up with the company providing the service.
All communication goes through them. Think of them as a middleman.

Once a contact of the inmate is approved, like the approval process a visitor goes through, an account is set up, using a credit or debit card to fund the account. 

To start, the inmate’s contact can send a message that has a limit of so many characters, usually about one page of text. 

The message is then reviewed by a computer that scans the message for certain keywords or phrases that are not allowed, almost like a censoring service. If the machine scanner finds problems with the message it sends the message to the Anoka County Workhouse staff to review, and if they find no issues, will then forward it to the inmate’s account so that they can read it.

If there are problems with the message, it is possible the message will not be sent. The sender will be notified of the decision and will not get a refund.

Once the inmate receives the message, should the account holder have funded the account allowing replies, the inmate can respond with a similar length message.

How much does it cost for an inmate to use a text or email service?

The cost to use the electronic messaging service, which is like texting or emailing, costs between $0.50 and $1.00 per page; a page being about 500 characters.

Can inmates send and receive photos through their messaging system?

Photos can be sent by the inmate’s contact that is not incarcerated, but not by the inmate due to security concerns. There is an extra cost, usually about $0.50 for each photo attached. 

The photos must go through a security screening where nudity, violence and other things are checked before the photo can be delivered. If the photo is rejected, the sender will be notified, but no refund will be given.

The inmate does not have the ability to print out the photos that make it past the screening, but the photos will stay in their account so that they can view them at their leisure. 

Can I send an inmate a link to a video to watch?

No.  Because this is a closed system, the inmate has no access to the internet, thus the inmate will have no access to any links that you send them.

Can I send the inmate a video?

Yes, just as you can send text and photos, you can send a video message, or if not a message, then a video of your children or yourself. Every company has a limit on the length of the video, usually no more than one minute, and at a cost of approximately $2.00 to $3.00 per video.

The video will first be screened for any nudity, excessive vulgarity, violence, etc. If it is rejected on any of the grounds the sender will not be given a refund.

As with the policy of photos, the inmate cannot reciprocate. They cannot send videos of themselves or anything in jail.

What device does an inmate use for texting and emailing?

The jails that contract with the electronic messaging service is given a certain number of kiosks within each unit for inmate use. Inmates can log on as they might with a public computer terminal. 

In addition to the public terminal kiosks, inmates are given (or can rent) access to individual tablets like a bulky, almost indestructible ipad. These allow an inmate to use them to access your messages, photos and videos in a more private manner. 

Should the inmate damage the tablet, they will be responsible for replacing it. The money will be deducted from their commissary account.

What is the inmate text and email system in Anoka County Workhouse?

The electronic messaging system used by Anoka County Workhouse, if there is one, can be found at the top of this page. If there is no information about the ability to text or email with an inmate, it is possible that the facility has recently changed companies or does not have this service available. Call 763-324-4860 to confirm.

What are the companies that provide inmate electronic messaging services?

This is a list of all the companies in the United States that work with jails and prisons, providing text and email messaging between inmates and their friends and families:

Access Corrections
CIDNET
City Tele Coin
Correct Pay
Corrlinks
Ctel
Edevo
Express Account
Gettingout
GTL
Homewav
IC Solutions
Inmate Canteen
Inmate Sales
JailATM
J Pay
NCIC
Paytel
Pigeonly
Prodigy Sales
Reliance
Securus
Smart Communications
TBE
Visitel

How do I fund the inmate’s messaging system?

You fund the messaging service with credit and debit cards. All of them take Visa and MasterCard, most also take Discover, and just some take America Express.

How often can an inmate text and email?

There is no limit to the amount of texting and email that an inmate can have with their family and friends.

Can inmates’ text any time of the day or night?

If an inmate has their own tablet, then they can text any time of the day or night, however if the must use the wall mounted kiosk terminal in their unit, they are limited to using it only during the hours they are allowed off their bunks; usually 7:00AM to 10:00PM, excluding meals, head counts and shift changes.

Can inmates email other inmates in other jails or prisons?

No, inmates are not allowed to communicate with each other, nor with inmates in other institutions. There is always a way to get around it, for example if one of the inmates has access to a phone with an internet connection, but this would be the only way.

Emailing & Texting an inmate at Anoka County Workhouse

Anoka County Workhouse allows emailing and texting to an Inmate using Inmate Canteen

To email or text an inmate, it requires funds on your communication account. You can add funds to your communication account via computer by selecting to “Send Text to an Inmate”.
On the next page and you will see your current balance with an “Add Funds” button below it. Select this button to add funds.
All deposits to the communications account are non-refundable until the inmate is no longer at the jail. To allow the inmate's email replies to be charged to your communications account go to "My Account", then "Edit Email Address" and adjust or add your e-mail address to allow for replies to be charged to your account. 

How to Have Remote Video Visits with an Inmate in Anoka County

To register and sign up for a remote visitation account with Inmate Canteen to communicate with your Anoka County Workhouse inmate, follow the instructions below:

  • Register and create an account with Inmate Canteen, or log in if you already have an account.
  • Inmate Canteen has excellent quality video visits between your home device and a video terminal in the inmate's housing area.
  • This is a fee based service.
  • After you are signed in, select Minnesota, the Anoka County Workhouse, thn the inmate you wish to visit.
  • Select the Visit option. Follow the prompts on screen to set up a time to visit with your inmate.
  • Direct link to How to set up a Video Visit with Inmate Canteen.

For all the information you need to know, including instructions, policies, tips and solutions to possible issues regarding visiting with an inmate (both at the facility and remotely) in Anoka County, visit our full page guide

NOTE: All video visits are recorded and stored. Whatever you talk about, can and will be used against your inmate in court. Never discuss their pending criminal case!
Also, be warned that some video visits providers are collecting voice prints for a database which law enforcement agencies are building.


 

How to Have Remote Video Visits with an Inmate in Anoka County

To register and sign up for a remote visitation account with Inmate Canteen to communicate with your Anoka County Workhouse inmate, follow the instructions below:

  • Register and create an account with your Anoka County inmate using Inmate Canteen.
  • Inmate Canteen has excellent quality video visits between your home device and a video terminal in the inmate's housing area at Anoka County Workhouse.
  • You can also send and receive secure messages and use them to make and receive phone calls with your Anoka County inmate.
  • This is a fee based service.

Instructions for Inmate Video Visitation:
- Register or Log in to your account
- Select Anoka County Workhouse and the inmate you wish to visit.
- Select the "Video Visit an Inmate" option
- Follow the prompts on screen to schedule the visit.

For all the information you need to know, including instructions, policies, tips and solutions to possible issues regarding visiting with an inmate (both at the jail and remotely) in Anoka County, visit our full page guide

NOTE: All video visits are recorded and stored. Whatever you talk about, can and will be used against your inmate in court. Never discuss their pending criminal case!
Also, be warned that some video visits providers are collecting voice prints for a database which law enforcement agencies are building.


 

How to Send a Secure Email Message to an Inmate in Anoka County

To send a secure email message to an inmate in Anoka County Workhouse follow these steps:

  • Register with Inmate Canteen to create an account or log in if you already have one.
  • Select Minnesota, then select Anoka County Workhouse, and then the inmate you want to send your message to.
  • Add money to your account.
  • Verify your email.
  • Send message.
  • NOTE: All messages between you and your Anoka County inmate will be permanently recorded and seen by the staff and could be used against your inmate in court.

For all information on how to Text/Email an Inmate in Anoka County Workhouse, the costs, rules, policies and more check out our Secure Messaging Guide for Anoka County.


 

How to Send a Carepack Commissary Package Directly to an Inmate in Anoka County

To send a commissary carepack (food, snacks and goods) directly to an inmate in Anoka County Workhouse follow these steps:

  • Register to create an account, or Log in to your account at Inmate Canteen if you already have one.
  • Select Minnesota, then Anoka County Workhouse, and then the inmate you wish to purchase commissary items for.
  • Select the "Purchase Commissary Items" option.
  • Follow the prompts on screen to purchase items for an inmate.
  • Maximum spend is $125.00.

For all information, tips and to see the hundreds of available items for shipping Commissary packages to an inmate in Anoka County Workhouse, or to see how deposit money so that your inmate can purchase their own commissary, check out our Commissary Instructions Page for Anoka County.


 

How Do Inmates in Anoka County Workhouse Make Phone Calls?

To receive phone calls from inmates in Anoka County, or to assist them in making phone calls to other people, follow these steps:

  • Anoka County Workhouse uses the services of Inmate Canteen.
  • Register online, or log in if you already have an account with them. (Note: Chrome works best with this website)
  • Services for Anoka County inmates and their families and friends include Collect Calling, PIN Debits or Purchasing Calling Cards.

Instructions on Purchasing Calling Cards or setting up to receive calls from an inmate:

  • Register or Log in to your account
  • Select Minnesota, then Anoka County Workhouse, then the inmate you wish to purchase a phone card or calling time for.
  • Select the "Purchase Phone Card for an Inmate" option.
  • Follow the prompts on screen to purchase the phone card for your inmate in Anoka County.

For all the information regarding phone calls with Anoka County inmates; rules, policies, phone calling times, limits and more visit our Inmate Phone Page.


 

How to Send a Carepack Commissary Package Directly to an Inmate in Anoka County

To send a commissary carepack (food, snacks and goods) directly to an inmate in Anoka County Workhouse follow these steps:

  • Register to create an account, or Log in to your account at Inmate Canteen if you already have one.
  • Select Minnesota, then Anoka County Workhouse, and then the inmate you wish to purchase commissary items for.
  • Select the "Purchase Commissary Items" option.
  • Follow the prompts on screen to purchase items for an inmate.
  • Maximum spend is $125.00.
  • NOTE: Anoka County Workhouse may at times only allow online deposits for your inmate to purchase their own commissary locally. 

For all information, tips and to see the hundreds of available items for shipping Commissary packages to an inmate in Anoka County Workhouse, or to see how deposit money so that your inmate can purchase their own commissary, check out our Commissary Instructions Page for Anoka County.


 

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