New Jersey's state prison communication system went through a major overhaul starting in March 2025. The New Jersey Department of Corrections (NJDOC) replaced JPay with ViaPath Technologies as its approved vendor for phone calls, deposits, messaging, and tablets. JPay deposit services ended on July 31, 2025. If you have an existing JPay account, it is no longer the way to send money or messages to NJDOC incarcerated individuals.
The current system has two components:
- GettingOut.com: messaging and Friends & Family communication
- ConnectNetwork.com: fund deposits to trust accounts and PIN debit accounts for phone calls
Both use the same ViaPath login credentials.
NJDOC uses "incarcerated persons" and "incarcerated individuals" in official materials.
PART 1 - NJDOC STATE PRISONS
Phone vendor: ViaPath Technologies
Phone call rate: $0.034 per minute effective May 1, 2025
On April 22, 2025, NJDOC announced a 22% reduction in domestic phone call rates. The current rate is $0.034/min (3.4 cents per minute). This is among the lowest confirmed rates in the country for a paid-call state.
How NJDOC phone calls work
Incarcerated individuals place outgoing calls only. They cannot receive incoming non-legal calls (verifiable emergencies are the only exception). The individual calls from a facility wall phone or, where available, a secure device (tablet) to numbers on their approved contact list.
Contact approval (IPIN system): All individuals who want phone privileges fill out an Inmate IPIN Request Form listing up to 10 contacts - relatives, friends, or others. The individual must use their PIN to place calls. Third-party billing and traditional credit card collect billing are not permitted. Calls are monitored and recorded.
Setting up a ConnectNetwork account (for funding)
Online: connectnetwork.com
The ConnectNetwork account is used to deposit funds into the incarcerated individual's trust account. Those funds are then used by the individual for phone calls.
Trust fund deposit fee schedule (effective April 30, 2025):
$0.01-$9.99 deposit: $0.90 fee
$10.00-$19.99: $1.75 fee
$20.00-$99.99: $5.95 fee
$100.00-$199.99: $6.95 fee
$200.00-$300.00: $7.95 fee
Money order deposits: Use the ViaPath Technologies Trust Account Money Order Payments deposit slip available on the NJDOC website (nj.gov/corrections).
The trust account can be used for: commissary, phone calls, publications and gifts, incentive programs, and transfers to media accounts.
Setting up a GettingOut account (for messaging)
Online: gettingout.com
GettingOut is the messaging platform for Family & Friends communication. To begin:
1. Create a GettingOut account.
2. Search for your incarcerated loved one and send a contact request.
3. The incarcerated individual chooses whether to accept.
4. Once connected, you can exchange messages and photos.
Note: Family and friends must initiate contact - the incarcerated individual cannot initiate messaging contact. All messages and photos are reviewed by staff and must comply with NJDOC rules.
Secure devices (tablets)
NJDOC is issuing secure devices (tablets) to eligible incarcerated individuals. Tablets remain NJDOC property. Issuance is optional - individuals may refuse, and may later request one through the facility property officer.
Tablets provide access to: approved messaging and communication, educational resources, religious materials, the law library, and optional paid services such as music and media. Free content is available without any purchase.
Phone calls from the secure device follow the same rules and rates as wall phones.
Secure device rollout schedule (most recent updates as of June 2026):
- Week of May 18, 2026: Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center (ADTC), East Jersey State Prison
- Week of March 16, 2026: Bayside State Prison (BSP), Mid State Correctional Facility (MSCF)
- Week of March 9, 2026: Edna Mahan Correctional Facility (EMCF)
- Note: Video visits were temporarily paused at EMCF, BSP, and MSCF during system adjustments; in-person visits continued. Updates posted to nj.gov/corrections/pages/viapath.html.
When an individual transfers to another facility, they leave their secure device behind and receive a new one at the receiving facility. Approved messages and photos remain accessible.
Video visitation
Video visits are available through the secure device system. Key rules:
- Visitor must be on the incarcerated individual's approved visitor list.
- Visitor requests the video visit (not the individual).
- 48 hours' advance notice required.
- No scheduling on weekends or holidays.
- Monitored; violations result in loss of video visit privileges.
- Credit issued if visit is canceled and does not occur; no refund for termination due to rule violations.
NJDOC facilities
NJDOC operates 12 state correctional facilities including:
Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center (ADTC) - Avenel
Bayside State Prison (BSP) - Leesburg
East Jersey State Prison - Rahway
Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women (EMCF) - Clinton
Garden State Youth Correctional Facility - Yardville
Mid State Correctional Facility (MSCF) - Fort Dix area
New Jersey State Prison - Trenton
Northern State Prison - Newark
South Woods State Prison - Bridgeton
Southern State Correctional Facility - Delmont
And others
Offender search and staying connected resources: nj.gov/corrections/pages/StayingConnected.html
ViaPath transition updates: nj.gov/corrections/pages/viapath.html
NJDOC contact: nj.gov/corrections/pages/ContactUs.html
Commissioner: Victoria L. Kuhn, Esq.
PART 2 - NEW JERSEY COUNTY JAILS (21 counties)
New Jersey has 21 counties, each operating its own county correctional facility. County jails contract phone services independently from NJDOC. Common vendors include ViaPath/ConnectNetwork, Securus Technologies, and ICSolutions. Rates and procedures vary by county.
How to find the current vendor for a county jail: Go to the county sheriff's or county government's official website and look for "Inmate Telephone," "Inmate Services," or "Communications." Call the facility directly if not posted online.
What to do before the first call
For an NJDOC state prison:
1. Find the incarcerated individual's information at nj.gov/corrections (offender search)
2. Ask the individual to add your name and phone number to their IPIN contact list (up to 10 contacts)
3. Create a ConnectNetwork account at connectnetwork.com to deposit funds
4. Create a GettingOut account at gettingout.com for messaging
5. Wait for the individual to initiate phone calls using their PIN
For a New Jersey county jail:
1. Find the individual through the county jail's inmate search or county sheriff's website
2. Identify the current phone vendor
3. Set up an account with that vendor
4. Add funds
5. Wait for the individual to call
Frequently asked questions
What happened to JPay?
JPay deposit services ended July 31, 2025. ViaPath/ConnectNetwork is now the NJDOC-approved provider for deposits. The transition began in March 2025.
What is the phone call rate?
$0.034/min (3.4 cents per minute), effective May 1, 2025 - a 22% reduction from the prior rate. One of the lowest rates in the country.
How does the IPIN contact list work?
Each incarcerated individual fills out an IPIN Request Form listing up to 10 contacts. Once approved, those are the only numbers they can call. Contacts can be added or deleted.
What is GettingOut vs. ConnectNetwork?
GettingOut (gettingout.com) is for messaging and photos. ConnectNetwork (connectnetwork.com) is for depositing funds to the trust account. Both use the same ViaPath login credentials.
Are tablets free?
Tablets are issued at no cost and remain NJDOC property. Some paid optional services (music, etc.) are available on the device. Core content (education, law library, facility notices) is free.
Can the individual send me a message?
No. Messaging contact must be initiated by family/friends through GettingOut. The incarcerated person accepts or declines the contact request.
How do I send money?
Deposit through ConnectNetwork at connectnetwork.com. Fee schedule: $0.90 for deposits under $10; $5.95 for $20-$99.99; up to $7.95 for $200-$300. Money orders also accepted via NJDOC deposit slip. ====================================================================
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