New ID requirement to message NJ inmates leads to data privacy fears

New Jersey prisons now require people to upload a passport or driver's license to message incarcerated loved ones. That's a barrier and data privacy risk, critics charge.

By: Dana DiFilippo

Outlets: New Jersey Monitor

Published: September 3, 2026

Words: 1,229

Last Updated: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

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New Jersey corrections officials have long surveilled prisoners’ calls, messages, and other communications to ensure they don’t plot something sinister during those interactions.

Now, the state is expanding its scrutiny to people outside prisons, requiring friends, relatives, and anyone else who tries to message those behind bars to verify their identity by uploading their driver’s license or passport to an online portal.

Chris Greeder, a Department of Corrections spokesman, described the new …

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