Searching for clear answers about Securus Technologies? You have landed in the right place. Millions of families across the United States rely on this provider every single day to stay close to someone they love who is currently incarcerated. This guide breaks down exactly how the service works, what it offers, and how you can use it with confidence. Whether you need to set up a phone account, book a video visit, or send a quick message, Securus Technologies makes staying in touch simple, secure, and surprisingly easy once you know the steps.
What Is Securus Technologies?
Securus Technologies is a communication company that connects families with incarcerated individuals across the country. Founded in 1986, the company built its name around phone calls, video connections, and electronic messaging that link family and friends to a loved one who is currently incarcerated. Today, it works with thousands of jails and prisons nationwide, building the phones, tablets, and video systems used inside these facilities. For many families, this company is the main bridge between the outside world and a loved one behind bars. Understanding how it works can save you time, money, and unnecessary stress.
A Quick Look at the History of Securus Technologies
Knowing where this company came from helps build trust in the service. The company started decades ago as a small telecommunications provider focused on correctional facilities. Over time, it grew through smart acquisitions, including its purchase of JPay, a popular platform for tablets and money transfers. Based out of Plano, Texas, the company now works with thousands of public safety and corrections agencies, reaching well over a million incarcerated individuals across North America. This long history means Securus Technologies has had years to refine its tools, fix early problems, and build a network that families across all fifty states now depend on daily.
Core Services Offered by This Provider
Securus Technologies is not just a phone company. It offers a full package of communication tools designed for correctional settings. These include inmate phone calls, video visitation, tablet access, electronic messaging, and secure money transfers. Each service works together inside one connected system. Families can pick the option that fits their budget and schedule best. Some people prefer quick phone calls every evening. Others enjoy scheduling a face-to-face video visit on weekends. This flexibility gives you the freedom to choose what feels right for your relationship and your routine.
How Inmate Phone Calls Work
Phone calls remain the most popular Securus Technologies service. The company runs and manages the phone systems used inside correctional facilities, handling everything from call setup to secure call routing. Call costs depend on the facility, your location, and the time of day. Some states now offer free or reduced-rate calls thanks to new laws. To receive calls, you usually need to register your phone number ahead of time. Once approved, calls connect quickly, though most facilities limit each call to a set number of minutes to keep the phone lines fair for everyone.
Securus Video Visitation Explained
Video visitation through Securus Technologies lets you see your loved one’s face without leaving home. Its Video Connect system runs entirely through the web, letting family members, friends, attorneys, and public officials schedule and join video sessions with an incarcerated individual from almost anywhere with an internet connection. All you need is the free Securus app, a computer, or a tablet. Sessions are usually billed per minute or scheduled for a set length, often around thirty to sixty minutes. Many families say video visits feel more personal and comforting than a phone call, especially for young children who want to see a parent’s smile.
Securus Tablets and In-Facility Technology
Many facilities now hand out tablets powered by Securus Technologies to incarcerated individuals. These tablets allow access to music, movies, eBooks, FM radio, games, educational programs, and even the ability to send and receive emails. Newer models, like the EVOTAB, include added safety features built specifically for correctional environments, such as tamper alarms, GPS tracking, and a fingerprint scanner to keep devices secure and accounted for. These tablets give incarcerated individuals productive ways to spend their time while also giving families more ways to send love, encouragement, and daily updates through messages and shared media.
Setting Up Your Account: Step-by-Step
Getting started with this service is easier than most people expect. First, visit the official website or download the mobile app. Next, search for your incarcerated contact using their name and facility. Then choose which service you want, such as phone funding, video visits, or messaging. Finally, add funds using a debit card, credit card, or approved payment method. Most accounts activate within minutes. Keep your contact’s full legal name and facility details handy, since accurate information helps the system match your account correctly on the very first try.
Understanding Payment Options
This provider offers several ways to fund communication so every family finds a comfortable fit. AdvanceConnect is a prepaid account owned by the family, giving you full control over how much you spend on calls each month. There is also Securus Debit, which lets the incarcerated person manage their own funds for calls, tablet media, and messaging. Direct Bill works differently, letting you receive calls and pay the charges monthly instead, which tends to suit attorneys, bail bondsmen, and families supporting a long-stay loved one. Choosing the right option can noticeably lower your monthly communication costs.
Securus Mobile App: Features That Matter
The Securus Mobile app puts everything in your pocket. Through the app, you can take video calls from your loved one, send and receive digital messages in real time, and manage your entire account with simple options like adding contacts, turning on notifications, checking balance alerts, and setting up autopay. This means you no longer need a computer to stay connected. You can top up funds during your lunch break or schedule a video visit while waiting in line at the store. The app feels familiar, similar to messaging apps you already use every day.
Common Problems Families Face
No system is perfect, and being honest about challenges builds real trust. Some users report occasional dropped video calls or short delays during peak hours. Pricing can also feel confusing since rates change by state, facility, and service type. It helps to read your facility’s specific rate sheet before adding funds. If a video call disconnects unexpectedly, most support teams can review the issue and sometimes issue a credit. Staying patient and keeping your app updated usually solves the majority of everyday connection hiccups.
Tips to Save Money on These Services
Smart planning can meaningfully cut your monthly bill. Set up automatic low-balance alerts so you never miss a call because of empty funds. Compare AdvanceConnect against Direct Bill to see which fits your calling habits better. Many states now offer free phone minutes, so always check your local corrections department website first. Schedule video visits during off-peak hours when possible, since some plans offer lower per-minute rates then. Combining phone calls with tablet messaging, instead of relying only on pricier video sessions, also helps stretch your budget further.
Detailed Service Overview Table
| Service | What It Does | Typical Access Method | Best For |
| Inmate Phone Calls | Voice calls between family and incarcerated individual | Registered phone line | Daily quick check-ins |
| Video Visitation | Face-to-face video sessions | Securus app, computer, or tablet | Emotional, personal connection |
| Securus Debit | Prepaid account owned by incarcerated person | Online or app funding | Flexible daily spending |
| AdvanceConnect | Prepaid account owned by family member | Online account setup | Controlling monthly costs |
| Direct Bill | Monthly billed collect calls | Approved billing account | Long-term or professional contacts |
| Tablets (EVOTAB) | Entertainment, education, messaging | Facility-issued device | Daily engagement behind bars |
| E-Messaging | Written digital messages | App or web portal | Quick, low-cost updates |
| Securus Mobile App | All-in-one account management | Smartphone app | Convenience on the go |
Why Families Trust Securus Technologies
Trust grows from consistency, and Securus Technologies has built a large, established network over many years. The company holds contracts with thousands of prisons and jails across the country, making it one of the largest providers of its kind. This scale means most families searching for their loved one’s facility will likely find this provider already connected there. While every company faces criticism at times, the sheer size and reach of the network gives families a dependable, familiar system rather than having to learn a new platform every time a loved one transfers facilities.
Conclusion
Staying connected with an incarcerated loved one matters more than almost anything else during a hard season of life. Securus Technologies gives families practical tools to make that connection possible through phone calls, video visits, tablets, and messaging. Take a few minutes today to set up your account, explore payment options, and download the mobile app. Small steps now mean more meaningful conversations later. Your loved one is waiting to hear your voice or see your face, and this platform can help make that moment happen sooner than you think.
FAQs
1. What is Securus Technologies used for?
It provides phone calls, video visitation, tablets, and messaging services that connect families with incarcerated individuals inside correctional facilities across the United States.
2. How do I set up an account?
Visit the official Securus website or app, search for your contact by name and facility, choose a service, and add funds using an approved payment method to activate your account.
3. Is Securus Technologies available in every state?
It partners with thousands of facilities nationwide, though exact availability depends on which company holds the communication contract at a specific jail or prison.
4. How much do video visits cost?
Pricing varies by facility and session length, often billed per minute or per scheduled session, so checking your specific facility’s rate sheet is the best way to know exact costs.
5. Can I send digital messages to my loved one?
Yes, the platform offers e-messaging so families can send quick written updates and photos to an incarcerated loved one through the app or web portal.
6. Is the Securus Mobile app free to download?
Yes, the Securus Mobile app is free to download, though funding calls, messages, or video sessions still requires adding money to your account.
