Pigeonly

Pigeonly, founded in 2013 by Frederick Hutson, is a technology company that develops products for underserved communities, with a primary focus on the incarcerated population and their families. Hutson's firsthand experience with the challenges of maintaining contact with loved ones while incarcerated directly inspired the creation of the company. Before Pigeonly, he was sentenced to four years in federal prison for trafficking marijuana. This experience gave him a unique perspective on the exorbitant costs and difficulties associated with prison communication, which became the driving force behind his entrepreneurial venture.

The company operates on a subscription-based model, providing a platform that simplifies the process for families to search for, find, and communicate with their incarcerated relatives. Pigeonly's core services include a low-cost solution for phone calls and a service for sending printed photographs to inmates. These offerings are designed to be more affordable and accessible than traditional prison communication methods.

In January 2024, Pigeonly, Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. This move followed a period of financial difficulties for the prison communication startup. Despite these challenges, the company's mission to provide affordable communication services to a niche market remains a notable aspect of its history.

Keywords: inmate communication, subscription service, photo sharing, affordable calls, family support, correctional facilities, underserved communities, telecommunications, social enterprise, justice tech