Getting started takes a few minutes.
A full name and a DOC (or inmate) number are enough to begin. Everything else can be filled in later — by you, or by them, out loud.
Choose the option that best matches why you’re here today
Whether you are helping someone stay connected, reconnecting with someone you know, or hoping to meet someone new, each path starts with a free account.
Help an Inside Community Member
Help an incarcerated friend or loved one get signed up. Set up their Voice Connection Hub and online profile, reached by calling the NearestKin access number — only a full name and DOC (or inmate) number are required to begin.
Start their setup — Opens the NearestKin appFind Someone I Know
Already have a family member, friend or connection using NearestKin? Create your free account and search for their profile in the Online Connection Hub to continue your connection.
Find someone you know — Opens the NearestKin appDiscover Someone New
Browse public inside-member profiles, learn about people’s interests and goals, and discover opportunities to encourage and support someone new. Browsing happens in your free account.
Browse our community — Opens the NearestKin appTwo hubs, and only one of them is paid
NearestKin is two different experiences that work together. Knowing which is which is the fastest way to understand what you are signing up for.
- Yours, on the web
Outside User
Create your free Online Connection Hub
Free
This is your side of NearestKin — for family, friends and supporters on the outside. It is free, and it is where you do everything from a browser.
- Send and receive text and voice messages.
- Manage your conversations in one place.
- Explore the community and find someone you know.
- Receive notifications and real-time updates.
- Help manage an Inside Community Member’s setup.
- Theirs, on the phone
Inside Community Member
Set up their Voice Connection Hub
$14.95/month
This is their side, and it works entirely over the telephone by voice. It is the paid part of NearestKin: $14.95 a month, plus 7.5¢ a minute of voice usage.
- They call the NearestKin access number — one number, used by everyone inside.
- They receive an NearestKin Member ID and a four-digit PIN, both spoken.
- They receive a public profile they control.
- Stacy, the AI assistant, is included.
- Both sides
Both hubs, working together
Start staying connected
The two hubs are different experiences — one on the web, one on the phone — and they talk to each other. You message from your Online Connection Hub; they hear it and reply from their Voice Connection Hub.
- Exchange text and voice messages around each person’s day.
- Speak directly with a real-time call when you are both free.
- They can invite other family members and friends to connect.
- They can post to their public profile and manage it by voice.
Who the monthly price applies to
Everything they can do by speaking
Once they are inside their Voice Connection Hub, all of this happens out loud — no app, no internet on their side, nothing to install.
- Make and receive calls.
- Send and receive text messages through the voice interface.
- Send and receive voice messages.
- Create text posts for the public profile.
- Create voice posts for the public profile.
- Update and manage the public profile.
- Make the public profile private.
- Manage contacts and connection invitations.
- Hear notifications and account updates.
- Access and manage applicable account information.
- Speak with Stacy, the AI assistant.
The short version
Four numbers cover it. The full breakdown, including what happens when the Connection Account runs low, is on the pricing page.
- Your Online Connection Hub
- Free
- Their Voice Connection Hub
- $14.95/mo
- Voice usage
- 7.5¢/min
- Messages, sent and received
- Free
Common questions
The four that come up most before signing up. There are more on the FAQs page.
Ready to get them connected?
Create your free account and we will walk you through the rest, one step at a time.