CIDNET Updates – Messaging, Data Use & Tips for Families

CIDNET Updates: Messaging, Data Use & What Families Should Know

Inmate Communications
Technology
Corrections

CIDNET portal and inmate communication services
CIDNET powers voice, video, and mail with a data-based model in many facilities.

What Is CIDNET?

CIDNET (by Encartele, Inc.) is a correctional communication platform that
offers voice calls, video visits, and secure messaging (“Mail”). Friends and family use the public portal to
register, verify identity, add data, and connect with approved inmates.

Unlike per-minute phone billing, CIDNET uses a data consumption model for most services.

What’s New & Notable

  • Active platform & portal: The login portal reflects current 2025 notices and features.
  • CIDNET Mail improvements: Email-style messages with image attachments (if facility allows) and moderation controls.
  • Facility adoption: More jails are migrating to CIDNET for unified voice, video, and mail services.
  • Self-tests & setup: The portal includes an Audio/Video test and guided onboarding for faster troubleshooting.

Quick check: Before purchasing data, confirm which CIDNET services (voice, video, mail) your specific facility supports.

How the Data Model Works

CIDNET sells data (in MB). Each Voice, Video, or Mail action triggers a CUE (CIDNET Utilization Event)
that consumes data. Policies vary by event:

  • Mail / Picture Mail: Data is consumed when you send—if the facility declines the message, data is not refunded.
  • Video call never started: If the inmate doesn’t join, unused data is typically refunded.
  • Dropped video due to network issues: Unused data may be auto-refunded, but outcomes depend on event state.

Because data is the “currency,” stable internet and correct setup matter—especially for video.

Tips for Families

  • ✅ Verify services: Call the facility or check its site to confirm CIDNET features available there.
  • ✅ Complete verification: Upload valid ID, verify your phone, and link the inmate correctly.
  • ✅ Test first: Use the portal’s Audio/Video test before a scheduled visit.</ li>
  • ✅ Use reliable internet: Prefer wired or strong Wi-Fi; avoid public networks for video.
  • ✅ Track usage: Save receipts, take screenshots of balances, and note CUE times for support.
  • ✅ Mind refunds: Understand which events refund unused data (video not started) and which don’t (declined Mail).

Need to look up a facility fast? Try our Inmate Search to find official contacts and rules.

Common Issues & Limits

  • ⚠️ Lost data on declined Mail: Data is consumed at send, even if staff declines it later.
  • ⚠️ Connectivity drops: Weak internet can freeze or end video/voice sessions.
  • ⚠️ Feature availability: Some facilities disable video or mail, even if they use CIDNET.
  • ⚠️ Data sharing: Users generally can’t transfer data balances between accounts.

Helpful Resources

Conclusion

CIDNET’s data-based approach can streamline communications—but it shifts responsibility to users to set up
correctly, maintain good connectivity, and understand refund rules. Verify services with your facility, test
your devices, and keep records so your calls, video visits, and messages reach your loved one smoothly.



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