Setting Up TRULINCS Email: A Step-by-Step Guide for Families

TRULINCS is the Bureau of Prisons' email system - a secure way to exchange written messages with someone who's incarcerated. It's not regular internet email. Messages go through a controlled system, but it's the most direct way for families to stay in touch through writing.

Your loved one needs approval to use TRULINCS before you can exchange messages. They'll also have to consent to monitoring - so setup isn't just about adding contacts. The person inside has to be cleared for the system and agree to the monitoring rules first.

You'll need to consent to monitoring too. The Bureau of Prisons requires this from all contacts before messaging can begin. Expect to confirm that you understand messages may be reviewed as part of getting approved.

TRULINCS messages are text-only. No photos, PDFs, screenshots, or other attachments - if you're used to regular email, that's the biggest adjustment. Everything you want to say goes in the body of the message.

Each message maxes out at 13,000 characters - roughly two pages of text. Writing something long? Break it into separate messages so you don't hit the limit right as you're ready to send.

You might hear about form BP-A1054 - that's the "TRULINCS Contact Request Form" from the BOP Trust Fund program. If staff or your loved one mentions BP-A1054, they're talking about the document used to add or approve contacts.

1. Confirm your loved one is approved to use TRULINCS - messaging can’t start until the incarcerated person is approved for the system.
2. Watch for the BP-A1054 name - if a “TRULINCS Contact Request Form” is required, it may be referenced as BP-A1054.
3. Complete the consent step when prompted - you and your loved one must consent to monitoring before TRULINCS can be used.

Practical Tips

• ✓ Confirm your loved one is approved for TRULINCS before you spend time drafting messages.
• ✓ Keep in mind what TRULINCS is: a secured electronic messaging system between inmates and the general public.

• ✓ Write text-only messages - attachments aren’t permitted.
• ✓ Keep each message under 13,000 characters (about two pages) and split longer updates into more than one message.