What to Know About Phone Calls from RRM Philadelphia: Monitoring, Recording, and What the BOP Keeps
If you're receiving phone calls through RRM Philadelphia, assume the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) is running its TRUFONE system in the background—and that calls and related data can be monitored, recorded, and stored.
TRUFONE is the BOP's system for processing and storing data tied to inmate phone calls and contact information. It's not just a phone company add-on - it's baked into how calls get set up and tracked. The system exists for custody and security reasons, helping the BOP manage and supervise inmate phone use.
Key point: TRUFONE is the BOP application that handles inmate calling data. If you want to understand what records exist about calls from RRM Philadelphia, this is the system to know.
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- ✓ Telephone numbers associated with an inmate’s calling list
- ✓ Biometric information used for voice verification
When someone in BOP custody calls you, TRUFONE keeps the data that makes that call possible and trackable. This includes phone numbers on the inmate's approved calling list and voice verification data. Together, these records help the BOP control who can be called and maintain oversight of phone activity.
TRUFONE includes security features that allow both live and remote monitoring of approved inmate calls. Staff don't need to be standing next to the phone - oversight can happen from elsewhere. If you're talking with someone calling from RRM Philadelphia through the BOP system, speak with the understanding that the call may be monitored.
The BOP cites specific legal authority for monitoring and recording inmate calls: 18 U.S.C. 2510(5)(a)(ii), 18 U.S.C. 2511(2)(c), and its regulations at 28 C.F.R. § 540.100 and following sections. This isn't informal practice - monitoring and recording are framed as authorized under federal statutes and BOP rules.
Key point: TRUFONE's monitoring tools and the BOP's cited statutes work hand in hand. The system enables monitoring; the legal authority backs it up.
TRUFONE stores call recordings temporarily. The default retention period is 180 days - or sooner if they're no longer needed - unless recordings are required for legal or administrative purposes. So there's a standard window, but it can extend based on official needs.
Keep in mind: The 180-day timeframe isn't a guarantee every recording disappears on schedule. Recordings can be kept longer when needed for legal or administrative reasons.
- Start with the BOP’s facility communication guidance - Use the BOP “Inmates” resources (including “How to call”) and the RRM Philadelphia facility page to find the current process for getting a number added/approved.
- Expect the process to revolve around approved numbers - TRUFONE stores telephone numbers associated with the inmate’s calling list, so being on that list matters.
- Be ready for voice verification - TRUFONE also stores biometric information for voice verification, so you may encounter steps tied to confirming who is speaking/using the line.
Tip: Not sure where to start? The BOP
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