Federal inmates may submit lists of telephone call recipients for associate warden approval. Associates review the lists to assess whether allowing an inmate to receive calls would compromise institutional security or good order, or be used for illegal activities like smuggling or drug dealing.
Each institution utilizes an Information and Telephone Services (ITS) computer system which tracks inmate telephone calls, debiting their commissary accounts accordingly and producing 26 different reports.
Electronic Mail (EM)
EM allows BOP inmates to communicate with approved persons such as attorneys or special mail recipients. When writing on a computer screen, inmates are provided a countdown indicator on the composition window that displays how many characters remain; e-mail cannot include pictures or attachments. Furthermore, prisoners can utilize personal electronic message boards (PEVBs) within their housing units which feature daily limits monitored by staff for contraband; unlike EM, PEVBs do not impose character limitations when writing.
As opposed to federal inmates’ limited 300 minutes per month for collecting calls, email offers families an effective and efficient means of staying in touch. Inmates can utilize TRULINCS and Corrlinks inmate email systems in order to communicate with family and friends outside prison walls; both platforms have limitations set on them for how long an inmate can log on and compose messages before being deleted and limited character counts per message sent out.
Federal prison staff monitor inmate email to ensure it abides with content guidelines and does not compromise institutional security or public safety. Individual inmates may lose or gain email privileges depending on their disciplinary status and investigations underway.
Public Messaging
Corrlinks allows inmates to use the web browser-based system for sending and receiving electronic messages via Corrlinks Corrlinks messaging system is accessible by authorized users who create accounts, purchase credits and add inmates to their contact lists.
Prison staff screen all emails for content and compliance with institution guidelines, prohibiting inmates from forwarding emails to third parties and subjecting them to possible disciplinary sanctions if discussing prohibited topics like drugs, alcohol, weapons or inmate violence. TRULINCS email privileges may also be denied when their history poses threats against institutional security or public safety as determined by presentence investigations reports.
Families and friends do not face any restrictions when communicating with prisoners via Corrlinks or TRULINCS; however, email communication has certain restrictions; for example:
As an example, when an inmate is charged with possession or trafficking of child pornography or drugs, BOP staff typically denies him/her Corrlinks/TRULINCS access privileges; prisoners can appeal any denial to an associate warden. When access to such services are denied due to unfounded fears of potential acts of violence or terrorism, however, the Bureau must provide them with a Special Administrative Measures Agreement (SAM), along with implementation procedures.
Telephone Calls
An inmate’s ability to communicate via telephone with friends and family typically depends on his or her commissary account balance. Individuals wishing to receive telephone calls from an incarcerated individual must submit a “Negative Correspondence and Telephone List” form; once submitted, their name will be placed on this list and will be informed in writing if their name appears therein.
In the mid-1970s, the BOP began expanding telephone access by installing pay telephones at most institutions. These pay telephones allowed inmates to place collect or direct calls without staff placing them for them; staff would listen in on select samples of such calls from pay telephones using primitive recording equipment for sampling purposes only.
In the 1990s, the Bureau of Prisons installed its Inmate Telephone System (ITS) into most federal prison facilities. ITS is an automated computer system which enables inmates to make debit phone calls to designated individuals using debit debit accounts and stores transactional data on every call made through it. Furthermore, 26 reports can be generated about inmate call patterns such as frequency of calling particular numbers and suspicious dialing patterns.
The BOP currently charges between 15 and 31 cents per minute for inmate telephone services within the continental US, which are monitored by SIS staff to collect intelligence as well as detect inmate-on-inmate or staff-on-inmate activities that pose threats to institutional security and safety.
Written Correspondence
Inmates without phone privileges or housed in CMUs may still stay connected with family and friends via written correspondence. Each month, up to 40 letters that have been thoroughly screened for physical contraband or content that could compromise security are allowed through prison libraries; additionally they may receive books and religious material available there as well.
Prisoners can communicate with external contacts via the official prison email system known as Corrlinks, making communication easy for both inmates and their external contacts alike. Corrlinks provides an email platform that is user-friendly, secure, and efficient – but those trying to reach inmates using Corrlinks should remember that prison rules prohibit sending photos or attachments.
If an inmate writes to a contact, that letter must first be opened in front of staff for inspection for contraband and to confirm its eligibility as privileged mail with their attorney. Outgoing letters then go through another layer, being sealed and given directly to someone on their legal team in order to be delivered directly to them for distribution to their inmate recipient.
Inmates may request to add new telephone numbers to their call list, however all names on these lists must first be approved by prison staff and must either be U.S. citizens or hold state/local government employment. This process, combined with no-contact visitation restrictions, serves as a reasonable communication restriction within the discretion of the Bureau.