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Communication Provider

CorrLinks

CorrLinks: What It Is, How TRULINCS Works and How to Set Up Your Free Account

MessagingVideoPhotosPhoneMoney Transfer
50+
States Covered
120+
Facilities Supported
1 of 5
Services Offered
No
Mobile App Available

CorrLinks Inmate Communication Overview

What is CorrLinks and is it free? CorrLinks is the official electronic messaging platform for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, operating through the TRULINCS system which stands for Trust Fund Limited Inmate Computer System. CorrLinks is how families send and receive electronic messages with federal prison inmates. Creating an outside contact account on CorrLinks at corrlinks.com is completely free. You do not pay per message as an outside contact. The inmate pays $0.30 per message from their trust account. The only paid option is CorrLinks Premier at approximately $8 per year which adds push notifications.

What is TRULINCS and how does it work? TRULINCS is the secure federal BOP computer network that powers CorrLinks messaging. Inmates access TRULINCS through secure terminals in their housing units at federal prisons. The process must begin with the inmate. Your loved one logs in to a TRULINCS terminal, enters your name and email address, and sends you a contact request. CorrLinks then sends you a free invitation email. You cannot start the process from outside. Check your spam folder if the invitation does not arrive within 48 hours. CorrLinks limits inmates to 10 outside contacts.

What is the PIC number on CorrLinks? PIC stands for Personal Identification Code. It is the unique number assigned to each outside contact on CorrLinks. The inmate uses your PIC number to find and add you as a contact on their TRULINCS terminal. Your PIC number appears in your CorrLinks account settings after you create your free account. Share your PIC number with your loved one so they can add you as a contact from the TRULINCS terminal at their federal facility.

What is the difference between CorrLinks and JPay? CorrLinks works only at federal Bureau of Prisons facilities. JPay works at state prisons. These are completely separate platforms that do not overlap. If your loved one is in a federal prison use CorrLinks. If they are in a state prison use JPay. Using the wrong platform means your messages will never reach the inmate. Federal prisons include facilities with names like FCI, USP, FCC, FMC, and ADX. State prisons are operated by state Departments of Corrections.

CorrLinks Services

Communication services offered by CorrLinks and what each one includes.

Messaging

Official BOP email system. Inmate must add you to their contact list before you can exchange messages.

Per-message fee charged to your prepay balance. Messages reviewed by BOP staff before delivery.

Set Up Messaging

Video Calls

CorrLinks does not provide video visitation services.

Video visits at federal facilities must be arranged directly through the institution. ConnectNetwork/GTL manages phone and video at many BOP locations.

Photo Sharing

CorrLinks does not support digital photo delivery.

Photos can be sent by physical mail subject to BOP content guidelines. Digital photo services are not available at federal facilities.

Phone Calls

CorrLinks does not handle phone services.

Federal inmate phone calls are managed through the BOP's Inmate Telephone System via ConnectNetwork. Set up a ConnectNetwork account separately for phone access.

Money Transfer

CorrLinks does not process commissary deposits.

BOP commissary deposits are handled through ConnectNetwork or by money order. See the BOP website for current deposit instructions.

CorrLinks Coverage

Facility types and geographic regions served by this provider.

Facility Types

Federal Prison

Geographic Coverage

All 120 federal Bureau of Prisons facilities nationwide

Coverage Notes

CorrLinks is the exclusive messaging provider for all BOP federal facilities. It does not serve state prisons, county jails, or any non-federal correctional institutions.

Facilities Served by CorrLinks

Sample correctional facilities where this provider operates. Full coverage list available on the provider's website.

Federal Correctional Complex Coleman

FLFederal Prison
Guide

CorrLinks Pricing Overview

Approximate pricing for common services. Exact rates may vary by facility and state contract.

CorrLinks Fee Schedule

Account Registration
Free to create a CorrLinks account at corrlinks.com.
Free
Messaging
Per-message debit from prepay balance. Typically fractions of a cent per character.
Prepay required
Prepay Minimum
Fund your account via credit card or check. Minimum deposit varies.
Varies

Prices are estimates based on publicly available information and may change. Confirm current pricing on the CorrLinks website before use.

CorrLinks — Pros & Cons

An honest look at the strengths and limitations of CorrLinks.

Strengths

  • Only approved messaging platform for all 120 federal Bureau of Prisons facilities.
  • Messages are legally compliant and fully integrated with BOP systems.
  • Free account creation. Only pay for messages sent.
  • Reliable delivery within the federal system.
  • Accessible from any browser, with no app download required.

Limitations

  • Messaging only. No video, photos, or phone calls through CorrLinks.
  • Inmate must initiate or approve contact first. Families cannot reach out independently.
  • Per-message fees apply, unlike some consumer messaging platforms.
  • No mobile app. Browser-based only, which is less convenient on smartphones.
  • Setup and approval process can take days to weeks for new contacts.

Frequently Asked Questions: CorrLinks

Common questions from families about using CorrLinks.

What is CorrLinks?
CorrLinks is the official electronic messaging platform for all federal Bureau of Prisons facilities in the United States. It is powered by the TRULINCS system. If your loved one is in any federal prison, CorrLinks is the only approved platform for electronic messaging. Creating an outside contact account at corrlinks.com is completely free.
Is CorrLinks free?
Creating a CorrLinks outside contact account is completely free. You do not pay per message as an outside contact. The inmate pays $0.30 per message from their federal trust account. The only paid option is CorrLinks Premier at approximately $8 per year which adds push notifications so you know immediately when a new message arrives. Without Premier you must log in manually to check for new messages.
What is TRULINCS?
TRULINCS stands for Trust Fund Limited Inmate Computer System. It is the secure federal BOP computer network that powers CorrLinks messaging. Inmates access TRULINCS through secure terminals in their housing units at federal prisons. All CorrLinks messages go through TRULINCS. The system is managed by the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
How do I sign up for CorrLinks?
The process must begin with the inmate. Your loved one logs in to a TRULINCS terminal at their federal facility, enters your name and email address, and sends you a contact request. CorrLinks then sends you a free invitation email. Go to corrlinks.com and follow the link in the invitation to create your free account. You cannot start the process from outside. Check your spam folder if the invitation does not arrive within 48 hours.
What is the PIC number on CorrLinks?
PIC stands for Personal Identification Code. It is the unique number assigned to your CorrLinks outside contact account. The inmate uses your PIC number to find and add you as a contact on their TRULINCS terminal. Your PIC number appears in your CorrLinks account settings after you create your free account. Share your PIC number with your loved one so they can add you.
What is the difference between CorrLinks and JPay?
CorrLinks serves only federal Bureau of Prisons facilities. JPay serves state prisons across more than 35 states. These are completely separate platforms. If your loved one is in a federal prison use CorrLinks. If they are in a state prison use JPay. Federal prisons include FCI, USP, FCC, FMC, and ADX facilities. Do not sign up for JPay for a federal inmate.
Is CorrLinks legitimate?
Yes. CorrLinks is the official electronic messaging system operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons through the TRULINCS network. It is not a third-party service. CorrLinks is the only approved messaging platform for all federal BOP facilities in the United States. The website is corrlinks.com.
Is CorrLinks down?
If you cannot access CorrLinks, first check your internet connection and try a different browser. Clear your browser cache and cookies. If the problem continues, the TRULINCS system may be undergoing maintenance. Contact CorrLinks support through corrlinks.com. Planned maintenance is not typically announced publicly in advance. Try again after a few hours if the site is unavailable.
What is the CorrLinks phone number?
CorrLinks customer service is available through the corrlinks.com website support section. Submit a support ticket through your account for billing and technical issues. CorrLinks Premier billing disputes should include your payment confirmation. For urgent matters contact the federal facility directly. The most reliable way to reach support is through the corrlinks.com help center.
How do I email a federal inmate?
Create a free CorrLinks account at corrlinks.com after receiving an invitation from the inmate. The inmate must initiate the process from a TRULINCS terminal at their federal facility by entering your name and email. Once your account is active, log in to corrlinks.com and compose a message. The inmate reads your message on a TRULINCS terminal and can reply. Messages are reviewed by staff before delivery.
Does CorrLinks work at state prisons?
No. CorrLinks only works at federal Bureau of Prisons facilities. State prisons use JPay, ConnectNetwork, ICSolutions, or other state-contracted messaging providers. If your loved one is in a state prison do not sign up for CorrLinks. Use our facility directory to find the correct provider for the specific state prison.

Compare CorrLinks With Other Providers

See how this provider stacks up against the alternatives.

Other inmate communication providers you may want to consider.

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Get Started with CorrLinks

Visit the official CorrLinks website to create your account, or browse supported facilities and compare alternatives to find the best option for your family.