Question 1

What is Inkinthepenn.com?

Accepted Answer

Inkinthepenn.com is the nation's first video gram bio platform connecting incarcerated individuals with the outside world. Each profile features a short 30-second video gram bio, biographical details, and personal interests.

Question 2

How much does it cost?

Accepted Answer

Inmates pay $19.95 (Launch Deal — regular $29.95) for the Core Package, which gets them listed for 12 months. Add-On Video is $14.95 for an additional 30 seconds of airtime. Freshen Up is $7.50 anytime you want to refresh your profile. Visitors get 5 free profile views before a $1.00/month subscription is required.

Question 3

How do I get listed as an inmate?

Accepted Answer

Fill out our Profile Application at inkinthepenn.com/application or send a GTL Getting Out message. Provide your name, inmate number, institution, date of birth, county of origin, and a short bio. Record your 30-second video gram on your GTL tablet and send it. Within 24 hours of receiving both, your profile is posted.

Question 4

How do visitors contact inmates?

Accepted Answer

All initial contact is made through GTL Getting Out. Inkinthepenn.com is a bio platform — we do not facilitate or relay messages. Once you find a profile you connect with, look them up on GTL Getting Out and send a message there directly. Messages cost 5¢ for inmates and 10¢ for free people through GTL.

Question 5

Is Inkinthepenn.com legitimate? Can I trust the platform?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Inkinthepenn.com is founded and operated by Kenneth Massie, who recently completed a 21-year sentence and built this platform to give incarcerated people a dignified way to connect with the world. Payments are processed by Stripe and PayPal — industry-standard secure payment processors. We are based in Ohio, USA.

Question 6

What states does Inkinthepenn.com cover?

Accepted Answer

We currently focus on Ohio and are actively rolling out to additional states. Inmates and family members in any state are welcome to apply — we'll list you as soon as your facility is supported.

Question 7

What happens if a profile is found offensive or violates rules?

Accepted Answer

Inkinthepenn.com reviews every submitted video and bio before publishing. Profiles that contain profanity, threats, gang references, or other prohibited content will be rejected. If a rejection occurs at the review stage, the full purchase amount is automatically refunded.

Question 8

Can I get a refund?

Accepted Answer

All purchases are generally final once the profile is published. However, we honor refunds for duplicate charges, unauthorized payments, or rejected applications within 14 days. See our Refund Policy for full details.

Question 9

How long does it take for a profile to go up?

Accepted Answer

Within 24 hours of receiving the completed application AND the video gram from the inmate's GTL tablet, the profile is published.

Question 10

Can families of inmates apply on their behalf?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Family members frequently fill out the application and pay on behalf of their incarcerated loved one. The inmate still needs to record the video gram on their GTL tablet, but everything else can be handled by family.

Question 11

Are female inmates included?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We list profiles from both men's and women's correctional facilities across Ohio.

Question 12

Who owns the rights to the videos and photos?

Accepted Answer

By submitting content to Inkinthepenn.com, the applicant grants Inkinthepenn.com a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide license to use their image, likeness, voice, and submitted content for any lawful purpose. See our Terms of Service for complete details.

Question 13

How can I support Inkinthepenn.com?

Accepted Answer

Share the platform with anyone who has an incarcerated loved one. Follow us on social media. Subscribe for $1.00/month to support ongoing development. And tell others — word-of-mouth is the most powerful way to help us reach the people who need this.