Overview of GettingOut
GettingOut is a communication platform designed for families to stay in touch with incarcerated loved ones. The app serves a specific and important need, as it is often the only method approved by certain facilities. Initial setup is straightforward, requiring only an email, password, and account verification. However, the overall experience quickly reveals significant limitations that make it a below-average tool for an already difficult situation.
Features Worth Noting
The messaging system is the app’s primary functional feature, allowing users to send written messages at any time. Recipients receive messages when they have access to a facility tablet, and senders receive read receipts, which provides a small sense of connection. Scheduling video visits through the app’s calendar is a clear, step-by-step process, even if securing a time slot can be competitive. The ability to add funds to an inmate’s phone account is secure and more convenient than older methods like money orders, offering users a degree of traceability and control over their spending.
What Needs Work
The app’s interface feels dated and lacks intuitive navigation. Key functions, such as funding an account, are buried in menus labeled “Services,” which can be confusing for new users. Video call quality is inconsistent and often poor for a paid service; connections can be pixelated and audio may cut out, making conversations frustrating rather than comforting. The app also has stability issues, occasionally crashing when switching between applications. Overall, the experience feels transactional and impersonal, which is at odds with the emotional needs of its user base.
Pricing
The pricing structure is the app’s most significant drawback. While the app itself is free to download, every message incurs a small fee, video visits cost several dollars per session, and adding funds to an account includes a service fee. These costs accumulate quickly, making the app feel less like a communication tool and more like a costly necessity. For families already under financial and emotional strain, this pricing model is a major point of frustration.
