YardLink Blog
Resources for Families
Real answers. No corporate fluff. Finding ways to stay connected shouldn't cost a fortune.
Best JPay Alternatives in 2026 — Free Prison Messaging Options
JPay charges $0.25–$1.00 per message and adds fees on top. Here are the real alternatives — including one that costs nothing.
Read article →How to Message Someone in Prison for Free (Complete Guide)
Step-by-step: how to set up free messaging with your incarcerated family member, what to expect, and what to avoid.
Read article →Prison Tablet Messaging: What Families Need to Know
Tablets are now in most prisons. But the fees, rules, and providers vary wildly. Here's what you actually need to know.
Read article →JPay Fees Explained — And How to Avoid Them
JPay's fee structure is deliberately confusing. We break down every charge — and show you what you can skip entirely.
Read article →How YardLink Works: Free Messaging for Incarcerated People & Families
YardLink is a social platform built for incarcerated people. Here's exactly how it works, who can use it, and why it's free.
Read article →How to Send Money to Someone in Prison (2026 Guide)
JPay, Western Union, MoneyGram, money orders — a full comparison of every method, with fees, transfer times, and what to avoid.
Read article →How to Email an Inmate: JPay, GTL, Securus, and Free Alternatives
Step-by-step setup for every major provider, per-message costs, and the free option families need to know about.
Read article →Ban the Box & Fair Chance Act: What It Actually Means for Job Seekers
Most job applications ask about your criminal record upfront. Here's what "Ban the Box" and the Fair Chance Act actually do — and the gaps that let employers still filter you out.
Read article →How to Hire Day Laborers Safely as a Homeowner: A Practical Checklist
What every homeowner should check before hiring informal day laborers — ID, references, past work, the legal basics most people miss, and how family connection works as a signal of trustworthiness.
Read article →Homeowner Liability for Hiring Day Laborers: What Every Homeowner Needs to Know
The legal exposure most homeowners miss when they hire day laborers — workers comp, what standard homeowner's insurance does and does not cover, how to reduce risk without a background check, and when a platform like YardLink makes sense.
Read article →Visitor Tracking Technology for Homeowners: What Every Homeowner Needs to Know
Why background checks on a property run one direction, what visitor tracking actually is vs. a camera, what to capture to close the gap, and where a platform like YardLink fits.
Read article →Homeowner Resources
Practical guides for homeowners hiring informal day labor — safety checklists, liability, and visitor tracking. YardLink helps you connect with verified workers through family networks.
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