How it works
You text one number. We send your words into the facility's messaging system, exactly as you wrote them. Their replies come back to you as texts.
From sign-up to their first reply
Step 1 of 4
Sign up on your own phone
Tell us your name and your mobile number, and the name and register or ID number of the person you want to stay close to. Tell us where they are.
Only the person who owns a phone number can sign it up. If your church gave you a seat code, enter it here.
Step 2 of 4
Say yes by text
Right after you sign up, we send one text to your phone. Reply YES to confirm.
That is the only text we send until you say yes. If you never reply, we never text you again.
You can reply STOP at any time to stop all texts, or HELP to get help.
Step 3 of 4
Connect the facility account
Facilities let outside messages in through their own electronic messaging system. You hold your own account on that system, and you give us written permission to send your words through it.
We walk you through every step. Sometimes the person inside needs to approve you on their side first. We tell you if they do.
Step 4 of 4
Text, and get their replies
Now you text your GoodWordText number like you would text anyone. We send your words into the facility system exactly as you wrote them.
When they write back, their reply comes to your phone as a text. Each facility has its own rules and timing, so we can't promise how fast a message arrives.
See an example
This is what a short exchange can look like on your phone. The names are made up.
Your words go in just as you typed them. Theirs come back the same way.
Morning, Marcus. Grandma's checkup went fine. She says to eat your vegetables.
Tell her I'm glad. I got your card. It's up on my wall.
I'll tell her tonight. We love you.
What you can send
- Everyday words: news from home, a joke, a good morning.
- Photo prints of the pictures on your phone.
- Greeting cards for the days that matter.
- Article lookups: ask for a news story or article and we send the words in.
- Paper mail, if you ask for it.
What we don't do
- Sports picks or betting tips.
- Looking people up or finding someone's details.
- Requests for money.
- Messages about other people who live inside.
- Messages between two people who are both inside.
Every facility has its own rules too. Messages that break them may not get through.
Help when you need it
Every plan comes with GoodWord Helper, our automated assistant. It answers your questions by text at any hour, and you can reach a person any time by texting PERSON. Send PERSON and GOODWORD OFF to your GoodWord Helper number, not your regular GoodWordText number. Your regular number passes every message to the person inside word for word, so the helper has its own number.
A daily good word
If you'd like, we'll send you a short, encouraging text each morning. It's written to welcome people of every faith and none. It's free on every plan and seat, and it's off until you turn it on. Text GOODWORD OFF (or ask GoodWord Helper) to stop the daily good word. Texting STOP stops all texts from us.
If the facility pauses messages
Sometimes a facility stops outside messages for a while. When that happens, we pause your plan and text you (if you've said yes to texts). You aren't charged for the pause. When messages open again, we pick up where we left off.
Ready when you are
Try it free for 48 hours.
Start your free trialFree for 48 hours on every plan. After the 48-hour free trial, your plan renews at its monthly price ($9.99, $19.99 or $29.99) until you cancel. Cancel anytime online at /account. We text a reminder before the trial ends. Card or digital wallet only.