Phone & Video Calls in New Jersey (NJDOC)
New Jersey's move from JPay to ViaPath, the low (but not free) phone rate and one free weekly call, paid video visits, loaner tablets and messaging, and how county jails differ.
In 2025 New Jersey switched its phone, video, messaging, and deposit services from JPay to ViaPath Technologies (ConnectNetwork); JPay was discontinued. Set up accounts and confirm current prices through ConnectNetwork.
Phone Calls
Calls are placed by the incarcerated person to approved numbers — a family member cannot call in. New Jersey’s per-minute rate has been low — recently around three to four cents a minute — though rates change, so confirm the current rate in ConnectNetwork. Calls are not free, but some calls cost nothing — to the Office of the Public Defender, the Corrections Ombudsperson, and certain hotlines.
Families fund calling by setting up a prepaid ConnectNetwork (AdvancePay) account or the person can use a debit account — see Sending Money. ConnectNetwork support is at 1-877-650-4249. Calls are recorded and monitored, except calls to a properly registered and verified attorney number, which are not — an attorney’s number must be registered to stay confidential.
Video Visits
Video visits are moving from JPay to ViaPath, the state’s new vendor. They are paid — recently about $4.80 for a 30-minute session, down from JPay’s $9.95, though the official page lists video only as an optional service without the price, so confirm the current cost. Sessions are 30 minutes, generally one a week, scheduled at least 48 hours to a few days ahead, and not offered on weekends or holidays. Video visits are monitored and recorded, minors cannot take part, and they are not used for attorney visits. Availability can vary by facility.
Tablets and Messaging
New Jersey is rolling out ViaPath tablets, which remain the department’s property but are loaned to incarcerated people at no cost, providing messaging, video visits, and educational and legal resources. Electronic messaging is paid — priced per message, with photos costing more — and all messages, photos, and videos are reviewed. Because the vendor changed in 2025, confirm the current message price in the app.
If Someone Is in a County Jail
A person awaiting trial or serving a sentence of a year or less is held in a county jail, which contracts its own phone and video vendors — often at higher rates than the state system. Confirm where the person is held and that jail’s vendor and rates before setting up an account.
Verify Before Acting
Sources
This page is compiled from the following publicly available sources. Policies change without notice — confirm current details with the facility before relying on them.