CorrLinks is the only email system that works for people in federal BOP prisons. It's free for families to use, and the whole setup is simpler than it sounds — once you know how it works.
What Is CorrLinks?
CorrLinks (corrlinks.com) is the public-facing website that lets families and friends exchange text messages with people in BOP federal prisons. It connects to TRULINCS — the Trust Fund Limited Inmate Computer System — which is the secure messaging platform the Bureau of Prisons runs inside every federal facility.
Think of it this way: TRULINCS is the system inside the prison. CorrLinks is the door you access from home.
It works at every BOP facility type — FCIs, FDCs, USPs, FPCs, FCCs, FMCs, and Satellite Camps. It does not work for state prisons, county jails, or ICE detention, which use different systems.
All messages are monitored. Both you and the inmate consent to BOP staff review when you set up your accounts. This applies to every message in both directions.
How It Works (The Short Version)
The most important thing to know: you can’t start the connection — the inmate has to invite you. Here’s the sequence:
1 Give the inmate your email address
Send it in a letter or ask a family member to pass it along. One typo means the invitation goes nowhere.
2 They add you from inside
The inmate logs into TRULINCS, goes to contact management, and enters your email. This sends an invitation to you from CorrLinks.
3 Create your free account and accept
Check your inbox (and spam folder) for the invitation. Click the link, create a free account at corrlinks.com using the same email address, accept the request, and start messaging.
Need the full walkthrough? Step-by-step setup, what to do if no invitation arrives, PIC numbers explained, troubleshooting when messages stop — see our
Complete CorrLinks Setup Guide.
What It Costs
Your CorrLinks account is always free. The cost falls on the inmate’s side — they’re billed from their commissary account for time spent composing, reading, and replying.
| Who Pays |
Cost |
Notes |
| You (outside) | Free | corrlinks.com account is always free |
| Inmate (inside) | ~$0.05/min | Billed from commissary while reading or writing |
| Printed messages | $0.15/page | Only if the inmate requests a physical printout |
If their commissary balance hits zero, they lose TRULINCS access until money is added. You can fund their account via MoneyGram (Code 7932), Western Union Quick Collect (Code City: FBOP DC), or a mailed money order to BOP’s Des Moines lockbox.
What CorrLinks Can't Do
A few things families ask about that CorrLinks doesn’t support:
Photos — CorrLinks is text only. No attachments of any kind. To send photos, you mail standard 4×6 prints directly to the facility’s P.O. Box. See our guide on sending pictures to inmates.
Files or documents — No PDFs, images, or any file type can be attached to a CorrLinks message.
Formatted text — Messages are plain text only. No bold, italics, links, or HTML.
State prisons or county jails — TRULINCS is a BOP-only system. If your loved one is in a state facility, check with that facility for available email options.
Frequently Asked Questions
QCan I sign up for CorrLinks before the inmate contacts me?
You can create a basic account at corrlinks.com before receiving an invitation — it just saves a step when one arrives. But you won't be able to message anyone until an inmate sends you a contact request from inside.
QHow long does it take for a CorrLinks message to arrive?
Messages from you to the inmate typically take 20–60 minutes due to staff review. Messages from the inmate to you usually arrive within 20 minutes. Delays are longer during facility lockdowns or high-volume review periods.
QDoes CorrLinks work at every federal prison?
Yes. TRULINCS and CorrLinks are BOP-wide systems — they work at FCIs, FDCs, USPs, FPCs, FCCs, FMCs, and Satellite Camps. They do not work for state prisons, county jails, or ICE detention.
QIf they transfer to a different BOP facility, do I need to reconnect?
No. Your CorrLinks connection follows them across BOP facilities. There may be a gap while they're in transit, but the contact stays active and you don't restart the setup process.
QWhat if I never received an invitation?
Check your spam folder first — CorrLinks invitations land there often. If it's not there, confirm the exact email address with the inmate; a single typo means the invitation goes to the wrong inbox. If they're newly arrived, TRULINCS access can take a few days to activate. See our
full CorrLinks guide for the complete troubleshooting checklist.
Ready to Get Set Up?
Our step-by-step guide covers everything — setup, PIC numbers, troubleshooting, and what to do when messages stop.
Read the Full CorrLinks Guide →
Information verified from BOP.gov — Inmate Communications. Last updated June 10, 2026.