Understanding TRULINCS Email at Western Correctional Institution: Limits, Approval, and Monitoring

TRULINCS email at Western Correctional Institution (WCI) isn't like regular email - it's a controlled messaging system. The person you're writing to must be approved to use TRULINCS, and you need to give permission before messages can flow between you. That's why you can't always start messaging right away, even when you have someone's name and register number.

Messages max out at 13,000 characters - roughly two pages of text. Anything longer needs to be split across multiple messages. TRULINCS doesn't support attachments. No photos, PDFs, or documents of any kind. If you need to share something that exists only as a file, you'll have to type out the information or summarize it in plain text.

• ✓ Keep each message under 13,000 characters.
• ✓ If your note is long, split it into two (or more) separate messages.
• ✓ Don’t try to attach files - TRULINCS messages are text-only.
• ✓ If you need to share details from a document, copy the key information into the message in plain text.

The approval-and-consent setup exists by design: each inmate must be approved to use the system, and every person they want to message must give permission. Being on someone's contact list elsewhere doesn't automatically mean you can message through TRULINCS. If messages aren't going through, check this first. Either the incarcerated person isn't approved for TRULINCS yet, or your permission hasn't been completed on the contact side.

Wondering about monitoring and storage? The clearest published timeline is for phone calls: TRUFONE recordings are stored temporarily, then deleted after 180 days unless needed for legal or administrative purposes. Keep in mind that retention and review are part of how BOP communication systems work - factor that into what you share.

1. Confirm you’re both approved - TRULINCS requires the incarcerated person to be approved to use it, and you must give permission as a contact before messaging can happen.
2. Draft with the size limit in mind - keep each message under 13,000 characters; if you’re writing something long, split it into multiple parts.
3. Stick to text only - attachments aren’t permitted, so paste the important details directly into your message.
4. Write like it may be reviewed - keep your messages focused on safe, appropriate topics and avoid sharing sensitive details you wouldn’t want scrutinized.