Prison Communication Glossary
Plain-language definitions for the terms families encounter when navigating inmate communication. Search by name, browse by category, or use the A to Z navigation to find what you need.
All definitions are written for people who are new to the prison communication system. No prior knowledge is assumed.
100 terms
Commissary
Commissary is an in-facility store available to incarcerated people where they can purchase food, hygiene items, clothing, stationery, and other approved goods using funds from their inmate account.
Read DefinitionCorrectional Facility
A correctional facility is any institution operated by a government agency or private company that houses people who have been arrested, are awaiting trial, or are serving a court-ordered sentence.
Read DefinitionFederal Prison
A federal prison is a correctional facility operated by the U.S. Bureau of Prisons that houses people convicted of federal crimes and sentenced under federal law.
Read DefinitionInmate Messaging
Inmate messaging is a digital service that lets families and approved contacts send written messages to incarcerated loved ones through a facility-contracted platform such as JPay or CorrLinks.
Read DefinitionInmate Phone Calls
Inmate phone calls are outgoing calls placed by an incarcerated person from a facility phone system to approved contacts, using a prepaid account managed through a contracted provider such as ConnectNetwork or GettingOut.
Read DefinitionMoney Transfer
A money transfer in the correctional system means sending funds to an incarcerated person's inmate account so they can use the balance for commissary purchases, phone calls, and other approved services.
Read DefinitionState Prison
A state prison is a correctional facility operated by a state government's department of corrections that holds people convicted of state-level felonies serving sentences of more than one year.
Read DefinitionVideo Visitation
Video visitation is a scheduled video call service that allows families to see and speak with incarcerated loved ones through a secure platform, without traveling to the correctional facility.
Read DefinitionAccess Corrections
Access Corrections is a money transfer service operated by Keefe Group that allows families to deposit funds to inmate trust accounts at many correctional facilities. Access Corrections is commonly used at county jails and some state facilities as an alternative or complement to JPay and ConnectNetwork. Deposits can be made online, by phone, or at MoneyGram and Western Union locations.
Read DefinitionAdvancePay
AdvancePay is a prepaid collect calling service offered by GTL through ConnectNetwork that allows family members to fund a calling account linked to their phone number so an inmate can call them.
Read DefinitionApproved Contact List
An approved contact list is the list of people an inmate is authorized to communicate with through phone calls, messages, or visits.
Read DefinitionApproved Vendor
An approved vendor is a company or retailer that a correctional facility has specifically authorized to send publications, packages, or other items to inmates. Facilities typically require that books, magazines, and packages come only from an approved vendor list to prevent contraband from entering through mail. Common approved vendors for books include Amazon and Barnes and Noble online.
Read DefinitionAttorney Call
An attorney call is a phone call between an incarcerated person and their legal counsel that is legally protected and not recorded or monitored.
Read DefinitionAventiv Technologies
Aventiv Technologies is the parent company of both Securus Technologies and JPay, two of the largest prison communication companies in the United States. Aventiv was formed as a holding company to own these subsidiaries. Because both Securus and JPay are owned by Aventiv, they share corporate leadership while operating as separate platforms facing different markets.
Read DefinitionBooking Number
A booking number is the identification number assigned to a person when they are booked into a county jail.
Read DefinitionBOP
BOP stands for Bureau of Prisons, which is the federal agency that operates all federal correctional facilities in the United States.
Read DefinitionCall Block
A call block is a restriction placed on a specific phone number to prevent an inmate from calling it or to prevent calls from a facility from reaching a specific number. Family members can request call blocks from the phone provider if they do not want to receive calls from a specific inmate or from all facility calls. Facilities can also block numbers for security reasons. Call blocks are typically managed through the phone provider rather than the facility.
Read DefinitionCanteen
Canteen is an alternative term for commissary used at some correctional facilities, particularly in federal and some state systems.
Read DefinitionCase Manager
A case manager is a correctional staff member assigned to each inmate who is responsible for managing their programming, classification, correspondence, and release planning.
Read DefinitionClassification
Classification is the process by which a correctional system assigns an inmate to a specific security level and facility based on their offense, criminal history, behavior, and other factors. Classification determines whether someone is housed at minimum, medium, or maximum security. The classification level affects communication privileges, visitation rules, and which specific facility the person is assigned to.
Read DefinitionCollect Call
A collect call is a telephone call where the charges are billed to the person receiving the call rather than the person placing it.
Read DefinitionCollect2Phone
Collect2Phone is a GTL ViaPath pay-per-call option that allows a family member to accept a collect call from an inmate on a cell phone without setting up a prepaid account. The charge for the call appears on the cell phone bill. Collect2Phone is an alternative to AdvancePay for people who do not want to set up a prepaid account but still need to receive occasional calls on their cell phone.
Read DefinitionCompassionate Release
Compassionate release is a provision that allows early release from prison for inmates with extraordinary and compelling circumstances such as terminal illness, debilitating medical conditions, or advanced age. Federal compassionate release is administered by the BOP under 18 U.S.C. 3582(c)(1)(A). The First Step Act allowed inmates to petition courts directly for compassionate release if the BOP does not act on a request within 30 days.
Read DefinitionContraband
Contraband is any item that is prohibited inside a correctional facility.
Read DefinitionCop Out
A cop out is informal prison slang for an inmate request form submitted to staff to ask for specific actions, information, or services. Inmates use cop outs to request changes to their phone list, ask case managers for information, request medical appointments, and communicate needs to facility staff. The term is widely used in federal and state correctional facilities.
Read DefinitionCorrLinks Premier
CorrLinks Premier is a paid upgrade to the standard free CorrLinks account that adds push notification alerts when a new message arrives from a federal inmate. The standard free account requires the outside contact to log in manually to check for new messages. CorrLinks Premier costs approximately $8 per year. It does not change the messaging system itself, only adds the notification feature.
Read DefinitionCount
A count is a mandatory security procedure at correctional facilities where all inmates are physically located and accounted for by staff. During count, all activities including phone calls, visits, and movement are suspended until every inmate is accounted for. Counts occur multiple times per day at scheduled intervals. If a count comes up short, a recount is ordered and the facility may enter lockdown until all inmates are located.
Read DefinitionCounty Jail
A county jail is a local detention facility operated by a county sheriff's office that primarily holds people awaiting trial or serving short sentences of one year or less.
Read DefinitionDebit Link
Debit Link is the digital currency system used by ViaPath Technologies for tablet-based services at facilities they serve.
Read DefinitionDigital Mail
Digital mail is the electronic delivery of letters and photos to inmates through approved platforms, either by family uploading content directly through a service like JPay or Pigeonly, or through a mail scanning system that converts physical mail into digital format.
Read DefinitionDOC Number
A DOC number is the identification number assigned by a state Department of Corrections to every person sentenced to state prison.
Read DefinitionDress Code
The visiting dress code is a set of rules governing what clothing visitors may wear to a correctional facility.
Read DefinitionElectronic Messaging
Electronic messaging in the correctional system is a digital service that allows incarcerated people and their approved contacts to exchange written messages through a facility-contracted platform, similar to email but with review and restrictions applied.
Read DefinitioneMessaging
eMessaging refers to electronic messaging services available to prison and jail inmates through approved communication platforms such as JPay, CorrLinks, ConnectNetwork, and GettingOut.
Read DefinitionFacility Transfer
A facility transfer is when an incarcerated person is moved from one correctional facility to another. Transfers can be within the same system such as from one state prison to another, or between systems such as from county jail to state prison. Communication accounts and balances may or may not transfer depending on whether the new facility uses the same provider. Families should always verify the new facility and provider before funding new accounts.
Read DefinitionFCC Rate Cap
FCC rate caps are federal limits set by the Federal Communications Commission on how much correctional facilities and their contracted phone providers can charge per minute for inmate phone calls. Under rules effective April 6, 2026, the cap is $0.11 per minute for large prisons and jails, up to $0.18 per minute for the smallest facilities. Video call caps are $0.23 per minute at large facilities.
Read DefinitionFirst Step Act
The First Step Act is a federal criminal justice reform law signed in 2018 that made significant changes to federal sentencing and prison policies. Key provisions include increasing good time credits from 47 to 54 days per year, creating earned time credit programs for program participation, and expanding eligibility for elderly and terminally ill inmate compassionate release. The law affects federal inmates only and does not apply to state prisons.
Read DefinitionGeneral Population
General population refers to the main housing area of a correctional facility where inmates live and follow the standard daily schedule including meals, recreation, work, and programming.
Read DefinitionGood Time Credit
Good time credit is a reduction in the length of a prison sentence earned by an inmate for good behavior and program participation. In the federal system, inmates can earn up to 54 days of good time credit per year of sentence imposed under the First Step Act. Good time credits accumulate over the sentence and reduce the projected release date. State good time credit policies vary significantly.
Read DefinitionGTL
GTL stands for Global Tel Link, a telecommunications company founded in 1989 that provides phone, messaging, video, and money transfer services to correctional facilities. GTL rebranded as ViaPath Technologies and operates ConnectNetwork as its consumer platform and GettingOut through its Telmate subsidiary. GTL delivers services to over 1,800 facilities across the United States.
Read DefinitionHalfway House
A halfway house, also called a Residential Reentry Center (RRC), is a transitional facility where people are placed toward the end of their prison sentence to help them reintegrate into the community.
Read DefinitionHold
A hold in the correctional finance context refers to a restriction placed on an inmate's trust account funds. Holds can be placed for several reasons including outstanding court costs, restitution obligations, medical co-pay debts, or facility-specific fines. When a hold is placed, incoming deposits may be partially or fully applied to the hold before the inmate can access the funds for commissary or other expenses.
Read DefinitionInmate Account
An inmate account, also called a trust fund account, is a personal financial account held by the correctional facility on behalf of an incarcerated person that they use to pay for commissary, phone calls, and other approved services.
Read DefinitionInmate Calling Service
Inmate Calling Service (ICS) is the industry term for the telephone service provided to correctional facilities for inmate-initiated outgoing calls. ICS providers hold exclusive contracts with facilities and are regulated by the FCC. Major ICS providers include Securus Technologies, GTL ViaPath, and ICSolutions. The FCC has jurisdiction over interstate ICS rates and has implemented rate caps effective April 2026.
Read DefinitionInmate ID Number
An inmate ID number is a unique identification code assigned to a person when they enter the correctional system, used across all facility systems to track their record, location, account information, and communications.
Read DefinitionInmate Locator
An inmate locator is an online tool used to find an incarcerated person and confirm their current facility and basic status. The federal Bureau of Prisons maintains an inmate locator at bop.gov searchable by name or register number. Each state DOC maintains its own offender search tool. County jail inmate rosters are maintained by individual sheriff offices. Inmate locators are free to use and publicly accessible.
Read DefinitionInmate Search
An inmate search is the process of using an official online database or locator tool to find where a specific person is currently incarcerated, including their facility location and basic status information.
Read DefinitionInmate Tablet
An inmate tablet is a restricted digital device provided at participating correctional facilities that gives incarcerated people access to messaging, educational content, entertainment, and other approved services.
Read DefinitionInmate Trust Account
An inmate trust account is the financial account maintained by the correctional facility on behalf of each incarcerated person.
Read DefinitionJPay Stamps
JPay stamps are virtual credits used to send electronic messages through the JPay platform at state prison facilities.
Read DefinitionKeefe Group
Keefe Group is a company that provides commissary services and money transfer services to correctional facilities through its Access Corrections platform. Keefe operates commissary stores at many jails and prisons, supplying the products that inmates purchase. Keefe's Access Corrections service allows families to deposit money into inmate accounts at facilities where Keefe holds the commissary contract.
Read DefinitionLegal Aid
Legal aid refers to free or reduced-cost legal services provided to people who cannot afford an attorney. Incarcerated people and their families can access legal aid through law school clinics, public defender offices, nonprofit legal organizations, and prison legal services programs. Legal aid is particularly relevant for post-conviction matters, appeals, compassionate release petitions, and civil rights claims.
Read DefinitionLegal Mail
Legal mail is correspondence between an incarcerated person and their attorney, court, or government agency that is protected by attorney-client privilege and handled differently from regular personal mail.
Read DefinitionLockdown
A lockdown is a security measure at a correctional facility where all inmates are confined to their cells and normal activities including phone calls, visits, and programming are suspended.
Read DefinitionMail Processing Center
A mail processing center is an off-site facility where incoming inmate mail is sent for scanning and digital conversion before delivery. Several state prison systems use centralized mail processing centers rather than delivering physical mail directly to facilities. North Dakota uses a Securus Digital Mail Center in Tampa Florida. Oklahoma routes all non-legal mail to a Dallas Texas processing center. Missouri routes personal mail to a Securus digital mail center.
Read DefinitionMail Rejection
Mail rejection occurs when incoming mail to an inmate is refused by the facility and returned to the sender. Common reasons for mail rejection include prohibited content, failure to include required information such as the inmate ID number, sending from an unapproved vendor, using prohibited materials such as glitter or stickers, or sending mail directly to a facility that uses a mail processing center. Rejected mail is typically returned to the sender without the inmate receiving it.
Read DefinitionMail Scanning
Mail scanning is a system where incoming physical mail is intercepted at a central processing facility, scanned digitally, and delivered to the inmate electronically or as a photocopy rather than as the original physical letter.
Read DefinitionMaximum Security
Maximum security is the highest standard classification level for correctional facilities, housing inmates who pose the greatest risk or have committed the most serious offenses.
Read DefinitionMedium Security
Medium security is the middle classification level in the correctional system.
Read DefinitionMinimum Security
Minimum security is the lowest level of security classification in the correctional system.
Read DefinitionMoneyGram
MoneyGram is a money transfer service used to send funds to federal Bureau of Prisons inmate trust accounts and to some state and county facility accounts.
Read DefinitionOrientation
Orientation is the period after an inmate arrives at a new facility during which they learn the rules, procedures, and available services. During orientation, inmates are typically informed about how to set up phone accounts, add contacts to their approved list, and access available communication services. Families may experience a delay in receiving calls while the inmate completes orientation.
Read DefinitionParole
Parole is a form of early release from prison that allows a person to serve the remainder of their sentence under supervision in the community rather than in a facility.
Read DefinitionPhone Privilege
Phone privilege refers to an inmate's access to the facility phone system, which can be granted, restricted, or revoked based on behavior and facility rules. Phone access is a privilege rather than a right in correctional facilities. Violations such as attempting three-way calling, using abusive language, or receiving disciplinary sanctions can result in temporary or permanent loss of phone privileges.
Read DefinitionPhoto Policy
A photo policy is the set of rules governing what types of photos can be sent to an inmate, in what format, through what method, and in what quantities. Photo policies vary significantly by facility. Common restrictions include limiting photos to 4x6 inch prints, prohibiting Polaroid photos, limiting the number of photos per envelope, and prohibiting photos showing alcohol, weapons, gang signs, or suggestive content.
Read DefinitionPigeonly
Pigeonly is a service that converts digital messages and photos into physical printed letters delivered to inmates through the postal system. Pigeonly has sent over 15 million photos and letters and maintains compliance rules for over 4,000 facilities. Pigeonly offers a free plan for a limited number of monthly communications and paid unlimited plans. It is particularly useful when electronic messaging is not available or when physical mail quality is better.
Read DefinitionPIN Debit
PIN Debit is a phone account managed by the inmate rather than the family.
Read DefinitionPREA
PREA stands for the Prison Rape Elimination Act, a federal law enacted in 2003 that established national standards to prevent, detect, and respond to sexual abuse in correctional facilities. PREA affects how facilities handle reports of abuse and requires staff training and audits. Inmates have the right to report PREA violations confidentially. Families can reference PREA when an incarcerated loved one reports sexual abuse at a facility.
Read DefinitionPretrial Detention
Pretrial detention is the holding of a person in custody before their trial or conviction.
Read DefinitionPrison Commission
A prison commission is a payment made by a communication or commissary provider to a correctional facility in exchange for an exclusive contract. Commissions are paid as a percentage of revenue generated from inmate calls, messages, and purchases. Critics argue that commissions incentivize facilities to select the highest-paying provider rather than the best or most affordable service for families. The FCC has investigated commissions as a contributor to high prison phone rates.
Read DefinitionPrison Policy Initiative
Prison Policy Initiative (PPI) is a nonprofit research organization that produces data and analysis on mass incarceration and its effects on communities and families. PPI maintains a mail scanning appendix tracking which states use mail scanning systems, tracks postcard-only mail restrictions, and produces research on prison phone costs and communication barriers. Their website at prisonpolicy.org is a key resource for families seeking current information on state policies.
Read DefinitionProbation
Probation is a form of court-imposed supervision that allows a person to serve their sentence in the community rather than in a correctional facility, subject to conditions set by the court.
Read DefinitionProtective Custody
Protective custody is a form of administrative segregation where an inmate is separated from the general population for their own safety. Unlike disciplinary segregation in the SHU, protective custody is not a punishment. Inmates in protective custody may have similar communication restrictions as those in the SHU, with limited phone access and fewer visits. Common reasons for protective custody include threats from other inmates, gang-related safety concerns, and cooperation with law enforcement.
Read DefinitionRecidivism
Recidivism refers to the tendency of a formerly incarcerated person to reoffend and return to prison. Research consistently shows that maintaining family contact during incarceration significantly reduces recidivism rates. This is a key argument used by advocates for free prison phone calls and improved communication access. Studies show that incarcerated people who maintain strong family bonds are less likely to return to prison after release.
Read DefinitionReentry
Reentry refers to the process of transitioning from incarceration back into the community, including finding housing, employment, and support services.
Read DefinitionRegister Number
A register number is the identification number assigned by the federal Bureau of Prisons to every person sentenced to federal prison.
Read DefinitionRelease Date
A release date is the date on which an incarcerated person is scheduled to be released from custody. Release dates can be projected (estimated) or confirmed based on sentence calculations, good time credits, and parole decisions. Federal inmate release dates are publicly available through the BOP inmate locator at bop.gov. State inmate release information varies by state and may be found through the state DOC offender search.
Read DefinitionResidential Reentry Center
A Residential Reentry Center (RRC) is a halfway house operated under contract with the federal Bureau of Prisons where federal inmates serve the final months of their sentence in a community setting. RRCs provide transitional housing and support services to help people prepare for full release. Communication rules at RRCs are generally less restrictive than at federal prisons.
Read DefinitionRestitution
Restitution is a court-ordered payment that an incarcerated person must make to their victim or victims to compensate for harm caused by their crime. Restitution obligations continue during and after incarceration. Correctional facilities deduct a percentage of inmate earnings and sometimes of deposits to apply toward restitution. Outstanding restitution can affect parole eligibility and release conditions.
Read DefinitionSecurus Technologies
Securus Technologies is one of the two largest prison communication companies in the United States alongside GTL ViaPath. Securus provides phone calls, video visits, messaging, and digital mail services to over 1,200 correctional facilities across 45 states. Securus was acquired by Aventiv Technologies and also owns JPay. In 2025, Securus won the California CDCR contract worth $315 million replacing ViaPath.
Read DefinitionSentence
A sentence is the punishment imposed by a court on a person convicted of a crime, specifying the length of incarceration and any additional conditions. Sentence length determines which type of facility an inmate is housed in. Sentences of less than one year are typically served in county jails while longer sentences are served in state or federal prisons. Understanding an inmate's sentence helps families anticipate communication timelines.
Read DefinitionSHU
SHU stands for Special Housing Unit, which is a segregated area of a correctional facility where inmates are held separately from the general population for disciplinary reasons or for their own protection.
Read DefinitionSmart Communications
Smart Communications is a prison communication company that provides phone calls, video visits, messaging, and mail processing services. Smart Communications operates the SmartInmate platform and serves county jails and some state facilities. San Diego County uses Smart Communications for all jail communication including free phone calls. Smart Communications can be reached at 727-349-1561.
Read DefinitionSnap n Send
Snap n Send is a feature within the Securus platform that allows families to send images to incarcerated loved ones. Images are sent digitally and reviewed by facility staff before delivery. Snap n Send is available at Securus-contracted facilities that have enabled the feature. It is an alternative to mailing physical photos.
Read DefinitionSpending Limit
A spending limit is the maximum amount an inmate can spend on commissary purchases within a given time period, typically per week or per month.
Read DefinitionSupermax
Supermax is an abbreviation for super maximum security prison, the highest level of security in the correctional system above standard maximum security. Supermax facilities house the most dangerous or disruptive inmates in extreme isolation. ADX Florence in Colorado is the only federal supermax. Communication is severely restricted at supermax facilities with very limited phone and mail access.
Read DefinitionTelmate
Telmate is a subsidiary of GTL ViaPath Technologies that operates the GettingOut platform for county jail video visits, messaging, and phone calls. Telmate holds contracts with over 2,200 county jails across 45 states. If a family member is at a county jail using GettingOut, Telmate is the underlying company operating the service.
Read DefinitionTextBehind
TextBehind is a service that converts digital messages and photos into physical printed letters delivered to inmates as standard mail. TextBehind costs approximately $0.49 per page and works at nearly any facility that accepts mail. It is particularly useful at facilities that do not have electronic messaging contracts with major providers like JPay or CorrLinks.
Read DefinitionThree-Way Calling
Three-way calling refers to adding a third person to an active phone call, which is strictly prohibited at all correctional facilities.
Read DefinitionTouchPay
TouchPay is a money transfer and payment service used at some correctional facilities for depositing funds to inmate accounts. TouchPay is commonly used at county jails and some state facilities. Miami-Dade Corrections uses TouchPay for commissary deposits. TouchPay can be reached at 1-866-232-1899 and provides lobby kiosks at some facilities.
Read DefinitionTransaction Fee
A transaction fee is a charge applied by a communication or money transfer provider each time a deposit or purchase is made.
Read DefinitionViaPath
ViaPath Technologies is the rebranded name of GTL (Global Tel Link), one of the two largest prison communication companies in the United States. ViaPath operates ConnectNetwork for consumer-facing phone and messaging services and GettingOut through its Telmate subsidiary for county jail video visits. ViaPath lost the California CDCR contract to Securus in 2025.
Read DefinitionVictim Notification
Victim notification is a system that alerts crime victims when an offender's status changes, such as when they are released, transferred, or escape. VINELink is the primary national victim notification service. Victims register to receive automatic notifications. Families of incarcerated people can also use VINELink to track status changes, though they are not the primary intended audience.
Read DefinitionVideoGram
VideoGram is a Securus feature that allows families to send a short pre-recorded video message to an incarcerated loved one. VideoGrams are reviewed by staff before delivery and are viewed by the inmate on their tablet or kiosk. VideoGrams are distinct from live video visits which occur in real time at a scheduled time.
Read DefinitionVINELink
VINELink is a free national victim notification service that also allows the public to search for inmate status information.
Read DefinitionVisitation Rules
Visitation rules are the policies set by each correctional facility that govern who can visit an incarcerated person, how visits are scheduled, what is required for entry, and how visitors must behave during a visit.
Read DefinitionWestern Union
Western Union is a money transfer service used to send funds to federal Bureau of Prisons inmate trust accounts and some other facility accounts.
Read DefinitionWork Release
Work release is a program that allows incarcerated people nearing the end of their sentence to work at jobs in the community while returning to the facility during non-working hours.
Read DefinitionWorth Rises
Worth Rises is a nonprofit advocacy organization focused on ending the exploitation of incarcerated people and their families by the prison industry. Worth Rises produces research and policy advocacy on prison phone rates, commissary pricing, and other issues that affect families. Their annual reports track which states offer free calls and document the financial burden of prison communication on families.
Read DefinitionThe prison communication system comes with its own vocabulary that can be confusing for families who are new to it. Terms like TRULINCS, AdvancePay, inmate trust account, commissary, and PIN debit mean specific things in this context that may not be obvious from their names. This glossary explains each term in plain language without assuming any prior knowledge.
Terms are organized into six categories: Communication covers messaging, phone, and video platforms. Facility Types explains the difference between federal prisons, state prisons, county jails, and private facilities. Finance covers money transfer, trust accounts, commissary, and fees. Technology covers the systems and platforms providers use. Administration covers legal and procedural terms families encounter during the incarceration process. Providers covers the companies that deliver communication services at correctional facilities.
Most Searched Terms
Inmate Account
Also called a trust fund account. The facility-managed account families fund for commissary, calls, and messaging.
Commissary
The in-facility store where inmates buy food, hygiene items, and stationery using their account balance.
Electronic Messaging
Digital messaging through platforms like JPay and CorrLinks, reviewed by staff before delivery.
Inmate Phone Calls
Outgoing-only calls placed by the inmate. Fund a prepaid account in advance to receive them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a JPay stamp and how much does it cost?
A JPay stamp is a virtual credit used to send electronic messages through the JPay platform. Each standard text message requires one stamp. Stamp prices vary widely by facility and state, from around $0.10 in some states to $0.50 in others. Photo attachments require one additional stamp per image. Stamps are purchased in bundles and do not expire.
What is the difference between an inmate trust account and a commissary account?
An inmate trust account is the main financial account managed by the facility where outside funds are deposited. A commissary account is funded from the trust account and used specifically for purchases at the facility store. In most facilities these are the same account accessed in different ways, but some facilities maintain them separately.
What does TRULINCS stand for?
TRULINCS stands for Trust Fund Limited Inmate Computer System. It is the secure computer network operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons that provides incarcerated people with access to electronic messaging through CorrLinks, along with limited other digital services. Inmates access TRULINCS through secure terminals in their housing unit.
What is AdvancePay and how is it different from a collect call?
AdvancePay is a prepaid calling account through ConnectNetwork where families deposit money in advance and calls are deducted from the balance. Collect calls charge the receiving phone bill directly after each call. AdvancePay consistently offers lower per-minute rates than collect calls and is the recommended option for families who receive calls regularly.