Note: The option to send photos to incarcerated individuals may not be available at all detention facilities.
Can we send photos to incarcerated individuals?
Some detention facilities allow their incarcerated individuals to receive photos through SmartInmate. To send a photo, log in to your account and select the "Photos" option from the menu. From here you can select the incarcerated individual to send the photo and select an image file from your computer (or camera roll on most mobile devices). Most standard image formats such as GIF and JPG are accepted. Photos cost 100 service credits to send ($1.00). All photos are subject to review by the receiving detention facility and may be rejected at their sole discretion. If a photo is rejected by the detention facility the service credits will be refunded to your account.
How much does it cost to send a photo?
Each photo costs 100 service credits to send ($1.00). Service credits can be purchased on the SmartInmate website with a minimum purchase of 500 service credits ($5.00) plus a $3.00 processing fee. If a photo is rejected by the receiving detention facility, the service credits will be refunded to your account.
What photo formats and sizes are accepted?
Most standard image formats are accepted, including JPG, JPEG, GIF, and PNG. Photos can be uploaded from your computer or from the camera roll on your phone or tablet. There is no specific size limit, but very large files may take longer to upload. For the best results, use a clear, well-lit photo.
Why was my photo rejected?
All photos are subject to review by the staff at the receiving detention facility. Each detention facility has its own rules and standards as to what is and is not acceptable in photos. Photos can be rejected at their sole discretion for any reason. Some common reasons that photos may be rejected include nudity, sexually suggestive content, underwear modeling, low-cut tops, visible alcohol or drug paraphernalia, visible weapons (knives, guns, etc.), attempting to hide nudity in a collage of photos, drug use, memes, scanned documents or photos of documents, mugshots of other incarcerated individuals, hand gestures (including peace signs at some locations), no contact orders, and many other criteria depending on the receiving location. This list is not exhaustive and your photo may have been rejected for a reason not listed here. Decisions made by the detention facility staff are final and we cannot override their decisions nor force any photo to be delivered.
Do I get my service credits back if a photo is rejected?
Yes. If a photo is rejected by the detention facility, the 100 service credits used to send it will be automatically refunded to your account. You can then use those service credits to send a different photo or for other services on the platform.
How long does it take for a photo to be delivered?
After you send a photo, it must be reviewed and approved by the staff at the receiving detention facility before it is delivered. Review times vary by detention facility and can range from a few hours to several days depending on the detention facility's staffing and review schedule. You will be notified if your photo is rejected. If your photo has been pending for an extended period of time, contact our Customer Care team through the contact form for assistance.
Can I send photos from my phone?
Yes, you can send photos from your phone or tablet by visiting SmartInmate.com in your mobile web browser. When you select a photo to send, you can choose an image from your camera roll or take a new photo using your device's camera. We recommend using Google Chrome for the best experience on mobile devices.
Is the photo service available at every facility?
No, the photo service is not available at every detention facility. Each detention facility chooses which Smart Communications services to offer. When you log in and select a contact, the available services for that detention facility will be displayed. If the "Photos" option is not shown, the detention facility does not currently offer the photo service through SmartInmate.
If you have a question that is not answered here, please use the contact form to submit your question to our Customer Care team and we will respond as quickly as possible.