Fulton County Correctional Emailing An Inmate

Fulton County Correctional

Address:
2710 State Highway 29
PO Box 29
Johnstown, NY 12095

Phone:

(518) 736-2100

Fulton County Correctional - Emailing an Inmate

Fulton County Correctional allows Secure Messaging using a third-party service call Access Corrections.

They are the same company that facilitate Secure Deposits and Securepaks, so if you are already registered with them, then you are already approved to send Secure Messages to your inmate.

Register/Log in here.

After Registering/Logging In:

1.     You choose Fulton County Correctional.
2.    You Search for your inmate by typing in his last name. You can further narrow your search by adding his first name and/or Inmate ID.
3.    You add a credit or debit card.
4.    You buy a message plan (plans and prices vary), or buy credits. One credit costs $0.01.
5.    You select the option for your inmate to be able use the credits which you purchase, to message back to you... Or not.
6.    Fulton County Correctional charges a fee for each message sent or received.

Important Things to Know

 - Access Corrections has an iphone app and an android app for using their services.
 - ALL of your correspondence will be monitored by the jail. 
 - Do NOT write anything you wouldn’t want repeated in court.
 - Rates vary and are always subject to change.
 - Inmates can write you back ONLY if you select that option.
 - You CAN send photos up to 32MB in file size. Subject to change.
 - You CAN have unlimited credits on your account but are limited in the amount of each credit purchase.
 - You may NOT type or send emoticons.
 - You may NOT copy and paste text. Type directly.
 - You may NOT type profanities, violence or characters not approved. 
 - Due to messages having to be reviewed first, allow up to five days for a message to be delivered.
 - You may NOT transfer credits to another email.

Phone: 866-345-1884

Email:  [email protected]
FAQ
Contact Page
iphone app
Android app

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 Fulton County Correctional 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 Fulton County Correctional?

The electronic messaging system used by Fulton County Correctional, 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 (518) 736-2100 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.

How Do You Communicate with an Inmate in the Fulton County Correctional by Phone

Follow these instructions on how to open an account with GTL Connect Network (aka Viapath Technologies)

  • Advance Pay - This phone account allows you to prepay so that your inmate can call you (and only you) whenever he/she wants and the cost of each call is deducted from your balance. You can even be notified by text when your balance gets low. You still have the option of accepting or rejecting each call.
  • Pin Debit  -  This option allows you to fund an inmate's commissary account and lets him pay for phone calls to you and others with the money. You will have no control over who your inmate calls.
  • Voicemail  -  You can leave a secure voicemail without having to contact the facility. When you call the local phone number for a facility offering Inmate Voicemail (call Customer Service at 877-650-4249 to get the local voicemail number for Fulton County Correctional, you will be informed of the cost for leaving a message. To leave your message, simply select the inmate by ID number. Then, record your voicemail.

For full instructions on the Fulton County Correctional Inmate Phone System, what the costs are, how it works, and tips and guidelines on rules, regulations and saving money on calls, check out our Inmate Phones Page.


 

How to Bail out an Inmate in Fulton County

To Bail out or Post Bond for an Inmate in Fulton County Correctional follow these steps:

For complete Instructions on How to Bail or Bond an Inmate in Fulton County Correctional, check out our Inmate Bail page.


 

Depositing Money for Communicating with an Inmate

How to Make a Deposit for Phone, Email or Visitation using GettingOut.com

Fulton County Correctional uses GettingOut for some or all of its communication services with an inmate.

If you want to deposit money using this company for your use or your inmate's account, there are four ways to do it:

  • Online - They accept all major credit cards including Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.
  • At the Fulton County Correctional using the kiosk in the jail lobby - (cash, debit or credit card) NOTE - Fulton County Correctional may require identity verification so bring your driver’s license or some other form of ID.
  • By phone by calling 866-516-0115 - They have bi-lingual operators are standing by 24 hours 7 days a week to assist you with your deposit. Major credit cards accepted are Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.
  • By using their app, either Android or iphone. - All credit cards mentioned above are accepted.

For all the information you need to know, including tips, guidelines and warnings about depositing money in a Fulton County Correctional inmate's account for communication services, check out our Send Money page.


 

How Inmates Can Use a Tablet to Access Services at Fulton County Correctional

To find out how to get access to a tablet for inmate read the following:

1.  First, Register or Sign In to GettingOut/GTL

2.  Purchase the services you want for your Fulton County Correctional inmate.
3. All inmates have free access to the tablets to read their letters from family & friends, but there are many other services available to keep your inmate busy while incarcerated... such as Games, Books, Music and Movies. These other services come with fees that you can pay for when you pay for phone service.

To learn more about Tablet Rentals for inmates, including the cost, all the services available and everything else you need to know, check out our Tablet Rental Page.


 

How to Communicate with an Fulton County Correctional Inmate by Mail and by Email

To mail or email an inmate in Fulton County follow these steps:

When mailing a letter or postcard to an inmate, please follow these instructions:

  • All mail sent to an inmate at the Fulton County Correctional must include the sender's name and mailing address in the top left corner of the envelope or postcard.
  • All mail must include the facility's address, as well as the inmate's name and assigned number.
  • Failure to include your return address will most likely result in your mail NOT being delivered and your letter destroyed.
  • The Fulton County Correctional has a zero-tolerance policy regarding mail violations. 
  • All the information you need to understand mail and email policies can be found on our Inmate Mail Page and our Text/Email an Inmate Page.

Emailing Messages & Photos

Facility_name_1} contracts with GTL GettingOut, the same service that handles iInmate Phone Systems and Video Visitation, for sending secure messages and photos between you and your inmate.
 
If you are not already registered, do so here, or Log in.

Then use the Facility Finder to:
1.  Select Fulton County Correctional,
2. Add your inmate to your list of contacts,
3. Add a credit or debit card to cover your costs.

  • Messages can be up to 500 characters long, including punctuation. At the bottom of your message there is a 'character countdown' feature.  
  • After you click the “CONTINUE” button, you can review the cost to send your message to your inmate. You can also attach credits for your inmate to reply to your message.  Be sure to accept the Terms and Conditions and click the “SEND” button for your message to be successfully delivered to your inmate.
  • You can also send your Fulton County inmate photos and videos.

Customer Service Questions
'Online' Contact Form, or
Call   866-516-0115

Go here to this FAQ to get answers to how the transition to ViaPath from GTL and gettingout will affect your account.

All the information you need to understand mail and email policies for Fulton County can be found on our Inmate Mail Page and our Text/Email an Inmate Page.


 

How Do You Visit an Inmate in Fulton County Correctional?

To visit an inmate in Fulton County, whether by video or in person 'at the jail', follow these steps:

Other than 'at the jail' visits between you and your inmate, which is explained and outlined in detail on our Visit Inmate Page, Fulton County remote video inmate visitation can be done using the services of GettingOut

There are three ways to remotely visit your inmate in Fulton County Correctional:
1.  Using the GettingOut Kiosk at the jail.
2. Using your computer from home.
3. Using your phone on the GettingOut apps.

To remotely visit an inmate in Fulton County follow these steps:
1.  Start by confirming that Fulton County Correctional's Video Visitation is working correctly by looking up Fulton County here.

2.  The next step is to create an account here for GettingOut.
3. Then add funds to your account.
4. Last, select Fulton County Correctional, and then the inmate you wish to communicate with.

Other Fulton County Services provided by GettingOut:
 - Phone Calls & Voicemail 
 - Email, Photo & Video Sharing
-  Inmate Tablet Rental
-  Deposits

Customer Service
If you have any questions about the Fulton County Correctional Visitation Services you can call them at 866-516-0115.
Frequently Asked Questions

* All the information you need to have complete knowledge about inmate visitation; policies, rules, fees, schedules, tips, dress codes, and children, lawyers and clergy visitation in Fulton County, can be found on our Visit Inmate Page.

Fulton County Correctional Phone: (518) 736-2100


 

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

To send a secure email message to an inmate in Fulton County Correctional follow these steps:

  • Register with Access Corrections by creating an account.
  • Select New York, then select Fulton County Correctional, and then the inmate you want to send your message to.
  • Choose the amount of money you want to spend, and input your payment method. The funds can also be used by the inmate to send a message back to you.
  • NOTE: All messages between you and your 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 Fulton County Correctional check out our Secure Messaging Guide for Fulton County.


 

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

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

  • Select New York, then select Fulton County Correctional, and then select the 'Send a Package Order' option.
  • Register and create an account with Access Securepak, for Fulton County.
  • Choose the inmate and the products you want shipped to them, and input your payment method. 
  • NOTE: There may be a limit on how much product you can send your inmate in Fulton County at any one time.

For all information, tips and available items for shipping Commissary packages to an inmate in Fulton County Correctional check out our Commissary Instructions Page for Fulton County.


 

How to Send Money to an Inmate in Fulton County

To send commissary money to an inmate in Fulton County Correctional follow these steps:

  • Register with Access Corrections by creating an account.
  • Select New York, then select Fulton County Correctional, and then the inmate you want to send money to.
  • Choose the amount of money you want to send, and input your payment method.

For all information on how to Send Money to an inmate's account check out our full money and commissary guide for Fulton County Correctional.


 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you email or text an inmate in Fulton County Correctional?
Yes, Fulton County Correctional contracts with a third-party service called Access Corrections Secure Mail. You can exchange digital messages with an inmate for a fee. The way it works is that after registering, you purchase a certain amount of 'credits' which cost $0.01 each. You can spend those credits on words or photos. Likewise, if you allow it, your inmate can also use those credits to message you back. They cannot send photos though. Important things to know: Don't send anything violent or pornographic. Don't send anything related to a crime or his case. All your correspondence will be monitored by the jail staff. You can have unlimited credits, but are limited to how much you can purchase at one time. For any questions about Secure Mail, call Access Corrections at 866-345-1884, or call the jail at (518) 736-2100. Learn more about how to text/email an inmate in the Fulton County Correctional.

Can an inmate in Fulton County Correctional email or text me?
Yes, an inmate in Fulton County Correctional can email or text you using the jail's third-party service called Access Corrections Secure Mail. Inmates can write you back ONLY if you select that option, so make sure you check the box for allowing your inmate to be able to message you when you open your account. For any questions about Secure Mail, call Access Corrections at 866-345-1884, or call the jail at (518) 736-2100. Learn more about how to text/email an inmate in the Fulton County Correctional.

How do I email or text an inmate in Fulton County Correctional?
To send an email or a text to an inmate in Fulton County Correctional, you first need to register with the third-party service they contract with, Access Corrections. You can link to it directly and get full instructions on the JailExchange website linked above. After registering, you select Fulton County Correctional, then select your inmate, then add your payment method, and then you can write your message and/or upload the photo(s) you are choosing to send them. Access Corrections will walk you through each step. They also have apps for both iphone and Android. For any questions about Secure Mail, call Access Corrections at 866-345-1884, or call the jail at (518) 736-2100. Learn more about how to text/email an inmate in the Fulton County Correctional.

How long does it take for my email or text to get to to an inmate?
Access Corrections Secure messaging, the third party service used to send texts/emails to an inmate in Fulton County Correctional processes the text and/or photo to your inmate immediately. First it has to be reviewed by their filtering (censoring) system. If it passes that it gets sent to the facility so that their staff can review it, just like they review regular snail mail. The entire process can take as short as one day, but as long as five days. For any questions about Secure Mail, call Access Corrections at 866-345-1884, or call the jail at (518) 736-2100. Learn more about how to text/email an inmate in the Fulton County Correctional.

Can I send a photo by email or text to an inmate in Fulton County Correctional
Yes. Using a third party service the Fulton County Correctional allows, Access Corrections Secure Mail, you can send a photo of up to 32MB in file size. While Secure messaging is not an email or texting service per se, it functions like email, except that your photos must first be reviewed and cleared by the jail before they are forwarded on to your inmate. For any questions about Secure Mail, call Access Corrections at 866-345-1884. Learn more about how to text/email an inmate in the Fulton County Correctional.

How much does it cost to send an email, text or photo to an inmate in Fulton County Correctional?
The cost to send an inmate a text, an email or a photo using Access Corrections Secure Mail is $0.01 per credit. The fee is designed this way so that they can change the definition of what a 'credit' is. This means that if the jail decides that they want to allow a credit to mean "one word', or to mean "one letter or number" they have that option. You can also choose a 'plan' with special pricing. In the long run, you will end up saving money by purchasing a 'plan'. After registering with Access Corrections, and selecting Fulton County Correctional, then your inmate, and then preparing a message, you can review the cost to you prior to sending it. For any questions about Secure Mail, call Access Corrections at 866-345-1884, or you can learn more about how to text/email an inmate in the Fulton County Correctional.

Can I send an inmate in Fulton County Correctional emoticons in my emails or texts?
No. Access Corrections Secure Mail does NOT allow, nor recognize emoticons in your digital messages to an inmate in Fulton County Correctional. If you use an emoticon it will be rejected and the inmate will not see it. You may only use words. For any questions about Secure Mail, call Access Corrections at 866-345-1884, or you can learn more about how to text/email an inmate in the Fulton County Correctional.