Setting Up TRULINCS Email with an Inmate at FCI Three Rivers

TRULINCS is the Bureau of Prisons' electronic messaging system - and if your loved one is at FCI Three Rivers, it's one of the best ways to stay in touch in writing. The system is secure and monitored, but it works well for regular communication when you can't visit in person.

Two approvals need to happen before you can exchange messages. First, the inmate has to be approved to use TRULINCS. Second, you - as an outside contact - have to give permission before they can add you. Your consent is required because TRULINCS is a controlled system, and the inmate can't message anyone who hasn't opted in.

• ✓ Ask your loved one to start the TRULINCS approval process on their side (they’ll handle it through the facility process).
• ✓ Confirm you’re being added as an approved contact for TRULINCS messaging.
• ✓ Provide your permission when it’s requested so messaging can be turned on.
• ✓ Treat TRULINCS like monitored correspondence and write with that in mind.

TRULINCS is text-only. No photos, no documents, no attachments of any kind - everything you want to say has to be written in the message itself. Each message can be up to 13,000 characters, which works out to roughly two pages of text.

1. Have the inmate add you for messaging - Your loved one needs to be approved for TRULINCS and initiate adding you as a contact.
2. Give your permission - Messaging can’t start until each outside contact gives permission to communicate.
3. Start sending messages once enabled - After approvals are in place, you can exchange secured electronic messages through TRULINCS.

• ✓ Keep messages text-only; attachments aren’t permitted.
• ✓ Watch your length: 13,000 characters max per message.
• ✓ If a message is getting long, break it into parts that are easy to read.
• ✓ Write as if staff may review it, since permission to communicate goes along with using a controlled system.