TRULINCS EMAIL & PHONE GUIDE

How to Stay Connected with Your Loved One in Federal Prison

A DrPrison.org / InmateHelp.org Resource Guide

DISCLAIMER: This guide is for educational and informational purposes only. Policies, rates, and procedures may vary by facility and change without notice. Updated April 2026.

What Is TRULINCS?

TRULINCS (Trust Fund Limited Inmate Computer System) is the Bureau of Prisons’ electronic messaging and communication system. It is the ONLY way federal inmates can send and receive email, and it manages the phone system that allows inmates to make calls to approved contacts.

TRULINCS is NOT the internet. Inmates cannot browse websites, access social media, or receive attachments. It is a closed, monitored system that allows text-only messages between inmates and their pre-approved contacts.

⛔ WARNING: All TRULINCS emails are stored on BOP servers and are accessible to staff at any time. All phone calls are recorded and monitored (except calls to attorneys of record). NEVER discuss case details, legal strategy, complaints about specific staff by name, other inmates’ cases, or anything you would not want read aloud in a courtroom.

Part 1: Phone Calls

How the Phone System Works

Detail	What to Know
Provider	The BOP contracts with a telephone provider (currently managed through the ITS/Trulincs system). The provider and rates may vary by facility
Call type	All calls are outgoing only. Inmates call you — you cannot call them
Call duration	Maximum 15 minutes per call at most facilities. The call will automatically disconnect at the time limit
Daily limit	Most facilities allow up to 300 minutes per month. Some restrict daily usage
Monitoring	All calls are recorded and subject to monitoring EXCEPT calls to verified attorneys of record
Scheduling	Phones are available during designated hours (typically 6:00 AM – 11:30 PM). Inmates share phones in common areas and may have to wait for availability

How to Get Set Up for Phone Calls

Step 1: Get on the approved contact list. Your loved one must submit your name, phone number, and relationship to their counselor on the approved phone list. This is done from inside the facility during intake or at any time after. Processing takes 24–72 hours.

Step 2: Register with the phone provider. Some facilities require you to set up an account with the phone provider to receive calls. Check with your facility or visit the BOP’s inmate telephone page for the current provider.

Step 3: Fund the phone account. Phone calls are not free. You can fund the account via:

Method	Details
Commissary funds	Your loved one can pay for calls from their commissary balance (deposited by you or from institutional pay)
Prepaid account	You may be able to set up a prepaid account with the phone provider directly
Collect calls	Some facilities allow collect calls, but rates are significantly higher

Phone Rates (Approximate, 2026)

Call Type	Rate
Local (same area code)	$0.06/minute
Long distance (domestic)	$0.21/minute
International	Varies widely — $0.35–$1.65/minute depending on country

★ KEY POINT: At $0.21/minute, a 15-minute long-distance call costs $3.15. At 300 minutes per month, monthly phone costs can reach $63 or more for long-distance. Plan your budget accordingly.

Tips for Phone Calls

Keep your phone charged and nearby. You cannot call them back if you miss the call
Answer quickly. The system plays an automated message identifying the call as coming from a federal facility. You must press a key to accept. If you don’t answer within the prompt window, the call drops
Don’t use three-way calling. The system detects three-way calls and will automatically terminate the call. This can result in disciplinary action for your loved one, including loss of phone privileges
Don’t put the call on speakerphone in a way that allows unmonitored parties to participate. This is treated similarly to three-way calling
Keep conversations supportive. Avoid arguments, bad news that can wait, or pressuring them about things they can’t control from inside

Part 2: TRULINCS Email

How Email Works

Detail	What to Know
System	Text-only messaging through TRULINCS terminals in housing units
Cost	Approximately $0.05 per minute of typing/reading time (charged to the inmate’s commissary account)
Attachments	NOT supported. No photos, no documents, no files of any kind can be sent or received
Photos	Some facilities use a separate service (CorrLinks or similar) for photo sharing. This is a separate system from TRULINCS email
Speed	Messages are typically delivered within minutes, but may be delayed if flagged for review
Monitoring	All messages are stored and accessible to BOP staff. Messages may be flagged by keyword for additional review

How to Get Set Up for Email

Step 1: Your loved one submits your email address on their approved TRULINCS contact list from inside the facility. They provide your full name, email address, and relationship.

Step 2: You receive a verification email from the TRULINCS system at the email address provided. Follow the instructions to verify and accept.

Step 3: Once verified, your loved one can send you messages and you can reply. There is typically a processing time of 24–72 hours from the initial request to full activation.

⚠ TIP: Use a personal email address you check regularly — not a work email. Some corporate email systems block messages from the BOP domain. Gmail, Yahoo, and Outlook personal accounts work reliably.

Tips for TRULINCS Email

Write regularly. Email is cheaper than phone calls and your loved one can read your messages multiple times. Regular contact reduces isolation and maintains your relationship
Keep messages positive and supportive. Remember everything is monitored
Don’t send legal information via TRULINCS. It is NOT privileged communication. Only mail marked “Special Mail — Attorney-Client Privileged” and physical letters to/from attorneys of record receive legal privilege protection
Include news from home. Mundane details — what the kids did at school, how the garden looks, what you had for dinner — matter more than you think. These small connections to normal life are anchors
Set a schedule. “I’ll write every Tuesday and Thursday” gives both of you something to look forward to and builds routine

Part 3: Physical Mail

Physical mail remains an important communication channel, especially for photos, legal documents, and longer letters.

Mail Type	What to Know
General correspondence	Incoming mail is opened and inspected by mailroom staff. Staff have authority to read incoming general mail. Outgoing mail is not routinely read but can be
Legal mail (“Special Mail”)	Must be clearly marked “Special Mail — Attorney-Client Privileged” on the envelope. Opened in the inmate’s presence. Contents are NOT read by staff. Must be to/from a verified attorney
Photos	Most facilities accept photos via mail. Standard sizes (4x6 or smaller). No Polaroids. No sexually explicit images. No photos showing gang signs, drugs, weapons, or other prohibited content. Limit varies by facility (typically 5–10 per envelope)
Books and magazines	Must be shipped directly from the publisher, Amazon, or an approved vendor. You cannot send used books from home at most facilities. Check facility-specific rules
Money via mail	Do NOT send cash through the mail. Use approved electronic methods only (Western Union, MoneyGram, JPay)

Mailing Address Format

[Full Legal Name]
[Register Number (e.g., 12345-678)]
[Facility Name]
[Facility Street Address]
[City, State, ZIP]

★ KEY POINT: Always include the register number on all mail. Without it, mail may be significantly delayed or returned.

Cost Summary

Communication Method	Approximate Monthly Cost
Phone (300 min long distance)	$63.00
Phone (300 min local)	$18.00
TRULINCS email (30 min/week typing)	$6.00
Physical mail (weekly letter + stamps)	$10.00
Photos (monthly mailing)	$5.00
Estimated total (long distance)	$84.00/month
Estimated total (local)	$39.00/month