Telecommunication Systems: Phones, Email, and Tablets

Telecommunication Systems: Phones, Email, and Tablets in the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) are essential tools for maintaining family and community ties, which are recognized as vital to an incarcerated individual's personal development and successful reentry. These communication services, which include controlled access to telephone calls, electronic messaging, and, in some facilities, tablets, are provided under strict regulations designed to ensure the safety, security, and orderly operation of correctional facilities. All forms of inmate communication, except for authorized special legal mail, are subject to monitoring by BOP staff and contractors\<ref\>"Program Statement 5264.08, Inmate Telephone Regulations". Federal Bureau of Prisons. [[1](https://www.bop.gov/policy/progstat/5264_008.pdf) Retrieved November 24, 2025.]\</ref\>\<ref\>"Trust Fund Limited Inmate Computer System (TRULINCS) - Electronic Messaging". Federal Bureau of Prisons. [[2](https://www.bop.gov/policy/progstat/5265_013.pdf) Retrieved November 24, 2025.]\</ref\>. The systems are heavily regulated by both the BOP and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which sets rate caps for Incarcerated People's Communications Services (IPCS)\<ref\>"Incarcerated People's Communications Services (formerly Inmate Calling Services)". Federal Communications Commission. [[3](https://www.fcc.gov/general/ipcs) Retrieved November 24, 2025.]\</ref\>.

The primary goal of BOP communication systems is to supplement traditional mail, offering secure, efficient, and monitored methods for individuals to contact approved external parties. Access to these services is a privilege, not a right, and can be restricted or revoked for disciplinary or security reasons\<ref\>"Program Statement 5264.08, Inmate Telephone Regulations". Federal Bureau of Prisons. [[4](https://www.bop.gov/policy/progstat/5264_008.pdf) Retrieved November 24, 2025.]\</ref\>.

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1. 1. \==Inmate Telephone System (ITS)==

The BOP's Inmate Telephone System (ITS), often facilitated by commercial providers, is the exclusive means by which individuals in BOP facilities may place personal telephone calls to the community. Inmates may not circumvent this system using any other method, such as unauthorized cellular devices\<ref\>"Program Statement 5264.08, Inmate Telephone Regulations". Federal Bureau of Prisons. [[5](https://www.bop.gov/policy/progstat/5264_008.pdf) Retrieved November 24, 2025.]\</ref\>.

1. 1. 1. \===Access and Eligibility===

Access to the ITS is generally granted to all individuals upon intake, subject to institutional security restrictions and the individual's disciplinary history.

 * **Phone List:** Inmates must establish and maintain a list of approved telephone numbers. Most institutions limit this list to 30 active telephone numbers, which the inmate can administer via the TRULINCS system\<ref\>"Trust Fund/Deposit Fund Manual". Federal Bureau of Prisons. [[6](https://www.bop.gov/policy/progstat/4500.12.pdf) Retrieved November 24, 2025.]\</ref\>.
 * **Call Duration:** Calls are typically limited to a maximum length of 15 minutes\<ref\>"Program Statement 5264.08, Inmate Telephone Regulations". Federal Bureau of Prisons. [[7](https://www.bop.gov/policy/progstat/5264_008.pdf) Retrieved November 24, 2025.]\</ref\>.
 * **Monthly Minutes:** There is a base limit on the total minutes an individual may use per calendar month. Effective January 1, 2025, individuals participating in First Step Act (FSA) Evidence-Based Recidivism Reduction (EBRR) programs will receive 300 free phone minutes each month as an incentive for programming\<ref\>"FBOP Updates to Phone Call Policies and Time Credit System". Federal Bureau of Prisons. [[8](https://www.bop.gov/news/20241004-fbop-updates-to-phone-call-policies-and-time-credit-system.jsp) Retrieved November 24, 2025.]\</ref\>. Those who choose not to participate in programming are responsible for the cost of their phone minutes\<ref\>"FBOP Updates to Phone Call Policies and Time Credit System". Federal Bureau of Prisons. [[9](https://www.bop.gov/news/20241004-fbop-updates-to-phone-call-policies-and-time-credit-system.jsp) Retrieved November 24, 2025.]\</ref\>.

1. 1. 1. \===Rate Caps and Costs===

Telephone services are a component of Incarcerated People's Communications Services (IPCS), the rates for which are capped by the FCC following the passage of the *Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act*\<ref\>"Incarcerated People's Communications Services (formerly Inmate Calling Services)". Federal Communications Commission. [[10](https://www.fcc.gov/general/ipcs) Retrieved November 24, 2025.]\</ref\>. These rate caps apply to all intrastate, interstate, and international audio and video calls. The rate caps are the maximum a provider can charge, and the BOP is required to follow the FCC's pricing rules\<ref\>"FCC votes to roll back prison rate caps, boosting phone and video call costs". StateScoop. [[11](https://statescoop.com/fcc-removes-prison-rate-caps/) Retrieved November 24, 2025.]\</ref\>.

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1. 1. \==Electronic Messaging (TRULINCS/CorrLinks)==

The BOP's electronic messaging system allows individuals to send and receive text-based messages to contacts in the community. This service is provided through the Trust Fund Limited Inmate Computer System (TRULINCS) application, with outside contacts using the CorrLinks website interface\<ref\>"Community Ties". Federal Bureau of Prisons. [[12](https://www.bop.gov/inmates/communications.jsp) Retrieved November 24, 2025.]\</ref\>.

1. 1. 1. \===How the System Works===

The system is designed to be secure and private to the correctional network; inmates do not have access to the public internet, and messages are not delivered to a personal email inbox but rather to a CorrLinks account created by the outside contact\<ref\>"How to Email With Federal Inmates: An Introduction to Corrlinks". LV Criminal Defense. [[13](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.lvcriminaldefense.com/how-to-email-with-federal-inmates-using-corrlinks/) Retrieved November 24, 2025.]\</ref\>.

1. **Contact Request:** The inmate must request to exchange messages with a person in the community by adding their email address to their public messaging contact list (limited to 30 active messaging contacts ordinarily)\<ref\>"Trust Fund/Deposit Fund Manual". Federal Bureau of Prisons. [[14](https://www.bop.gov/policy/progstat/4500.12.pdf) Retrieved November 24, 2025.]\</ref\>. 2. **Consent:** The outside party receives a system-generated email notification from CorrLinks with instructions on creating an account and accepting or refusing the request. By accepting, the outside party consents to BOP staff monitoring the content of all messages\<ref\>"How to Email with Federal Inmates Using Corrlinks". Spartacus Law Firm. [[15](https://spartacuslawfirm.com/how-to-email-with-federal-inmates-using-corrlinks/) Retrieved November 24, 2025.]\</ref\>. 3. **Limitations:** Messages are strictly plain, black text and limited to 13,000 characters (roughly 2,000 words) per message. Attachments, images, and other media are not permitted and will be stripped from the message\<ref\>"How to Email With Federal Inmates: An Introduction to Corrlinks". LV Criminal Defense. [[16](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.lvcriminaldefense.com/how-to-email-with-federal-inmates-using-corrlinks/) Retrieved November 24, 2025.]\</ref\>.

1. 1. 1. \===Exclusions===

An individual may be excluded from electronic messaging if their use is determined to threaten institution safety, security, or orderly operation, or for the protection of the public. This includes those with a history of using electronic communication for illegal activities. Restrictions are generally limited to 30 days pending investigation or disciplinary action, with written reauthorization required by the Warden for extensions\<ref\>"Trust Fund Limited Inmate Computer System (TRULINCS) - Electronic Messaging". Federal Bureau of Prisons. [[17](https://www.bop.gov/policy/progstat/5265_013.pdf) Retrieved November 24, 2025.]\</ref\>.

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1. 1. \==Tablet Systems and Contraband==

Many BOP facilities now utilize tablets, which may be provided free of charge or at low cost by correctional vendors. These devices are generally pre-loaded with approved content (e.g., educational materials, music, movies) and serve as the primary interface for electronic messaging (TRULINCS/CorrLinks) and video calling services where available\<ref\>"SMH: The rapid and unregulated growth of e-messaging in prisons". Prison Policy Initiative. [[18](https://www.prisonpolicy.org/reports/emessaging.html) Retrieved November 24, 2025.]\</ref\>.

 * **Functionality:** Tablets often replace shared computer kiosks for messaging and may offer access to the inmate's commissary account. They are strictly controlled and do not provide internet access.
 * **Contraband:** The introduction of unauthorized communication devices, particularly cellular phones, is a continuous security challenge for the BOP. Unauthorized use is a severe infraction, and confiscated devices are sent to the BOP's Forensic Laboratory for analysis to determine if criminal or illegal activity has occurred and to identify the parties responsible for smuggling\<ref\>"Federal Bureau of Prisons - BOP". Federal Bureau of Prisons. [[19](https://www.bop.gov/foia/docs/BOPForensicLab.pdf) Retrieved November 24, 2025.]\</ref\>.

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1. 1. \==History and Legislative Impact==

Inmate communication privileges have evolved significantly, largely driven by technological change and legal/legislative reforms aimed at promoting family contact.

1. 1. 1. \===Martha Wright-Reed Act===

The landscape of IPCS rates was fundamentally altered by the *Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act* of 2023. This federal law gave the FCC explicit statutory authority to set **just and reasonable rates** for all intrastate, interstate, and international audio and video communications from correctional facilities. The law removed limitations that had previously allowed widely disparate and often exorbitant costs for in-state calls\<ref\>"Incarcerated People's Communications Services (formerly Inmate Calling Services)". Federal Communications Commission. [[20](https://www.fcc.gov/general/ipcs) Retrieved November 24, 2025.]\</ref\>.

1. 1. 1. \===Evolution of Electronic Services===

The introduction of TRULINCS and CorrLinks marked a shift from communication relying solely on mail and phone calls. While mail remains the primary means of communication between inmates and the community, electronic messaging provides a faster, more secure, and more accountable alternative to traditional mail for text-based correspondence\<ref\>"Mail Management Manual". Federal Bureau of Prisons. [[21](https://www.bop.gov/policy/progstat/5800_016.pdf) Retrieved November 24, 2025.]\</ref\>.

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1. 1. \==See also==

 * Federal Bureau of Prisons
 * First Step Act
 * Reentry
 * Correctional System Technology

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1. 1. \==External links==

 * [[22](https://www.bop.gov/inmates/communications.jsp) BOP: Community Ties]
 * [[23](https://www.corrlinks.com) CorrLinks Official Website]
 * [[24](https://www.fcc.gov/general/ipcs) FCC: Incarcerated People's Communications Services]

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1. 1. \==References==

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Would you like to explore the specific rules for the **Federal Bureau of Prisons**' *Special Mail* system, which covers legal and privileged correspondence?