How Long Do CorrLinks Messages Take?
Updated October 2026
It varies.CorrLinks/TRULINCS messages can take anywhere from minutes to days to arrive, depending mainly on the facility’s review process — and a reply also depends on when your loved one can get to a terminal. We can’t promise an exact delivery time, because facility review and your inmate’s access to a terminal are outside our control.
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What affects how long messages take
- Facility review. Federal institutions may monitor or restrict inmate communications. Review can take anywhere from minutes to days, and it varies by facility.
- Approved contact status.Messages can’t go through until your inmate has added you to their approved contact list. Review timelines can vary by facility.
- Terminal access.Inmates read and write messages on computer terminals inside the facility, so your loved one sees a message when they can get to a terminal — which also affects how soon you get a reply.
- Your account (ContactMeAsap). Service runs from your balance, so make sure it covers your monthly plan.
- Facility differences.Rules and availability aren’t identical from one facility to the next.
Two different questions: delivery and reply
When people ask how long a message takes, they usually mean one of two things: how long until it reaches your loved one, and how long until you hear back. The first is mostly about facility review. The second also depends on when your loved one can get to a terminal and write a reply, plus any review on the way back. Neither has a fixed time.
What ContactMeAsap does — and doesn’t — control
On the texting side, we’ve secured high-volume message delivery through legal agreements with T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon, so your texts aren’t stuck waiting in a queue to reach the TRULINCS side of the system. What happens inside the federal system — facility review and your loved one’s access to a terminal — is outside our control, so we can’t guarantee a specific delivery time.
The Premium Federal Plan ($30 per month of service) includes Priority CorrLinks processing. That’s a plan feature, not a delivery-time guarantee.
If a message is taking longer than expected
- Allow for facility review, which can take anywhere from minutes to days.
- Confirm your inmate has added you to their approved contact list.
- If you use ContactMeAsap, check that your balance covers your plan.
- Work through our not-receiving-messages checklist, or text 734-215-7002.
Frequently asked questions
How long do CorrLinks messages take to arrive?+
It varies. Messages can take anywhere from minutes to days, depending mainly on facility review, and timing varies by facility. No specific delivery time is guaranteed.
Why is my CorrLinks message taking so long?+
Common reasons include facility review, an inmate who hasn’t yet added you to their approved contact list, limited terminal access inside the facility, and — for ContactMeAsap texting — an account balance that can’t cover your plan. See CorrLinks not receiving messages for a full checklist.
Are CorrLinks messages instant like text messages?+
No. CorrLinks-style messaging is email-based and is read at computer terminals inside the facility, and messages may be subject to facility review. ContactMeAsap lets you send and receive ordinary text messages on your phone, but the federal-system side still applies, so timing can still vary.
How long does it take my inmate to reply?+
There’s no fixed time. A reply depends on when your loved one can get to a terminal and write it, plus any facility review on the way back.
Does the Premium plan make messages arrive faster?+
We can’t promise a specific delivery time on any plan. The Premium Federal Plan ($30 per month of service) includes Priority CorrLinks processing, but that is a plan feature rather than a delivery-time guarantee, because facility review and your loved one’s access to a terminal are outside our control.
What should I do if a message hasn’t arrived after several days?+
First confirm that your inmate has added you to their approved contact list, then — if you use ContactMeAsap — check that your balance covers your plan. Our not-receiving-messages checklist covers the rest. If you still need help, text 734-215-7002 any time; that line is staffed 24/7.
Can ContactMeAsap speed up facility review?+
No. ContactMeAsap is an independent service, not affiliated with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and facility review is handled by the facility, not by us.
Want to text from your own phone?
ContactMeAsap lets you text a federal inmate from your own phone, pay-as-you-go: you add funds when you choose. Learn how federal inmate texting works, or add funds to get started.
More CorrLinks help
- CorrLinks: texting, how it works & help— the full guide hub
- CorrLinks not receiving messages? — common causes and what to check
- How CorrLinks works— a plain-English walkthrough for families
- CorrLinks text messaging — how families can text a federal inmate
Find the person you want to contact
Free to search — no account needed. Enter a name or BOP register number.
Searches all federal BOP facilities · or add funds directly
ContactMeAsap is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) or CorrLinks/TRULINCS. Federal institutions may monitor or restrict inmate communications, and availability can vary by facility.