Messaging can be an excellent way to stay in contact with those you care about. It is simple, convenient, and cost-effective.
As with phone calls or letters, there are some restrictions with messaging apps; messages must not exceed 13,000 characters; character countdown indicators appear while typing; bold font and foreign symbols are not available as styles; etc.
Public Messaging
Inmates and their loved ones can communicate electronically using a special app provided by the federal prison system. The app enables users to send and receive secure messages in a safe environment and keeps track of messages being sent directly to your loved one. With features designed specifically to keep in touch with loved ones while away from them.
Traditionally, phone calls and written letters have been the main means for inmates to remain in touch with their loved ones while in prison, yet these methods come with their own set of drawbacks, including high costs and time restrictions. Now, text messaging services are emerging as more cost-effective alternative ways for inmates to maintain communication with their family members while being convenient ways of staying connected to them.
Inmates are only permitted to exchange electronic messages with those individuals approved by staff for communication purposes, typically based on both an inmate’s requests and evidence that these individuals are friends or family of an inmate. Attorneys, “special mail” recipients or legal representatives can also be added as contacts; however these individuals will not initiate conversations on their behalf.
Electronic messaging system in jails and prisons is limited to text-only communications and does not support styles like bolding, italicizing or foreign symbols. Furthermore, no photo or attachment uploads are possible either. Each inmate can exchange up to 13,000 characters per day; any replies received count against their daily limit.
E-messaging providers must disclose how they collect and utilize user data, while offering an easy opt-out option. This should include information regarding duration of data storage and retention periods as well as who has access to that data and any actions that would take place if privacy were to be breached.
At present, two corporations dominate the e-messaging market: Securus and Global Tel*Link (now ViaPath). Between them they account for 81% of prison systems that offer e-messaging. If correctional facilities allowed competitors’ apps onto inmates’ tablets they could reduce prices significantly while increasing functionality and improving functionality.
Corrlinks
Corrlinks is changing lives behind bars by revolutionizing how inmates communicate with their loved ones. Instead of handwritten letters and costly phone calls, which were the traditional forms of communication, Corrlinks allows inmates to text message their family and friends instead. Its user-friendly interface and secure encryption have quickly made Corrlinks popular among incarcerated individuals and their loved ones.
Corrlinks provides inmates with various features, such as photo and video sharing and chats, that enable them to stay in contact with family and support networks during incarceration, alleviating feelings of isolation. Furthermore, this app connects inmates to mentors and counselors that provide emotional support and guidance.
The app also gives inmates access to educational resources and job opportunities, encouraging rehabilitation and easing reintegration into society following release. Studies have demonstrated its efficacy at reducing recidivism rates while supporting rehabilitation and positive change for inmates’ lives – but its design can pose problems such as lag and screen freezes; some users have experienced account blocks from prison authorities which can have devastating repercussions for families of inmates.
Corrlinks presents another major difficulty for inmates; inmates are not permitted to forward emails from their accounts to outside users without incurring a Code 297 or 397 violation and losing public messaging privileges for several months. They can minimize this risk by informing outside contacts not to forward emails containing information pertaining to them and refraining from disclosing this practice to institutional staff.
Corrlinks allows inmates to access Corrlinks from various devices, such as phones and tablets, but isn’t suitable for every one. Furthermore, not every federal institution provides this service – some provide it through kiosks while others require inmates to request it themselves; furthermore inmates may only access Corrlinks through certain housing units and computers at certain times; furthermore they must adhere to all of the institution-specific rules and regulations, which may differ drastically between facilities.
TRULINCS
Inmates have access to communicate with their families using TRULINCS, a newly developed technology that allows inmates to send and receive electronic messages, browse music files for download onto MP3 players sold by institutions through commissary and even tune into FM radio stations available within this system. TRULINCS’ aim is to strengthen or reestablish familial connections that will ultimately contribute to more successful reentry into society and less recidivism.
Corrlinks or TRULINCS does have some limitations, including being unable to attach photos or files with emails; nevertheless, it remains an improvement on traditional mail. Institution staff monitor messages sent through these services in order to ensure they do not violate prison policy and jeopardize public safety, security or the orderly operation of their facility; any content which does so may lead to consequences that range from receiving an incident report up to and including being banned from further usage of these services for severe violations.
People often struggle with making the decision to use email as a communication channel with someone in prison, yet many find it safe and effective way of keeping in touch. While email communication may not always be ideal, it provides a convenient and safe method of staying connected with family members behind bars. Though the process itself is relatively straightforward and simple, more research and preparation may be necessary to ensure positive correspondences.
To protect inmate safety, most Federal Bureau of Prisons facilities impose time limits on messaging. Once an inmate reaches their limit, the system logs them off and forces them to wait thirty minutes before being allowed back on. If they were typing when time ran out, their progress will automatically be saved on the computer and can continue typing later.
Some lawmakers have attempted to advance electronic privacy. Representative Hakeem Jeffries introduced legislation in 2021 requiring BOP to secure a warrant before reading emails between attorneys and their incarcerated clients; though the bill passed the House, it never saw a vote in the Senate.
Privacy
At first, federal prisoners communicating through traditional methods such as phone calls and letters faced many restrictions. Calls could often be costly and limited to certain time slots; letters could take days or weeks to arrive at their intended recipients. But thanks to technology’s rapid advancements, prisons now provide inmates with secure text messaging services which provide easy, cost-effective, and secure ways of remaining connected with family ties, improving emotional wellbeing while strengthening chances for successful community reintegration upon release from incarceration.
Privacy remains a primary concern for some inmates and their families; thus correctional facilities must implement stringent security measures to safeguard these text messaging channels, especially since inmates could potentially use these services to coordinate illegal activities or contact unapproved third parties.
As well, the privacy policies of text messaging services raise serious concerns over their potential misuse by inmates. While outside cell phones allow access to various online services and applications, texts sent between inmates are encrypted by their provider so as to protect their private information. While some providers such as JPay have taken measures to secure user data more adequately; other providers like Securus have experienced serious data breaches and expanded into less regulated industries.
Some inmates do not have access to personal smartphones during incarceration, limiting their use of text messaging services. Although they cannot text directly from their devices, these inmates still must access Corrlinks as their official email provider in order to use texting services and respond in real-time when emails come in from contacts using an app on their smartphones.
E-messaging systems raise privacy issues for two reasons. First, they capture an abundance of sensitive information from both inside and outside prison walls that may be used for security or sold to third parties. Second, federal facilities should ensure these e-messaging providers are transparent in how they collect and utilize user data; they should also give inmates a choice in selecting different e-message providers to safeguard their own personal security.