BestInmateTextingApps

Federal inmate messaging · Updated October 2026

The best way to text a federal inmate

By the Best Inmate Texting Apps editorial team · Published January 2026 · Updated October 2026

There are only a few real ways to reach someone in a federal facility — the official CorrLinks/TRULINCS system, and relay services that make it work from your phone. We tested and ranked them for the people who actually use them: families.

  • Works with CorrLinks / TRULINCS
  • BOP-compliant
  • Text & photos from your phone

Our top pick for federal messaging

ContactMeAsap

The smoothest way to text a federal inmate from your phone. It rides on the official CorrLinks/TRULINCS system but adds what families actually want: unlimited texts, photo sharing, faster relay, and real 24/7 support when something goes wrong. If you just want your messages to get there without fighting software, start here.

Start texting your inmate Read the full review

From $20/month · unlimited messages · deducted from the balance you add.

9.4/10 Our editorial rating

The quick answer

To text a federal inmate, you message them through TRULINCS — the Bureau of Prisons' official electronic messaging system — which families access on CorrLinks. CorrLinks is free but dated and text-only. For unlimited texting and photos from your phone, families use a relay service: our top pick is ContactMeAsap (9.4/10), which delivers through that same official system. GettingOut and Securus exist but serve mainly state and county jails, not federal facilities.

Federal inmate texting apps, ranked

Scored for messaging a federal inmate specifically — not state or county jails, which use different systems.

Ratings are our own editorial assessment, not user reviews. Last reviewed January 2026.
#ServiceOur ratingFederal (CorrLinks/TRULINCS)PhotosTypical speedFrom
1 ContactMeAsap Relay service · texts & photos from your phone 9.4 Built for it Yes Fast relay $20/mo
2 CorrLinks The official BOP / TRULINCS system 7.6 Official channel Limited Varies (inmate check-in) Free for family
3 ViaPath GettingOut Mainly state & county facilities 6.4 Rarely federal Yes Varies by facility Per message
4 Securus eMessaging Mainly state & county facilities 6.1 Rarely federal Yes Varies by facility Per message / credits

The short verdict on each

ContactMeAsap

9.4

Best overall for federal families who want texting to just work.

  • Unlimited texts and photos from your phone
  • Faster, hands-off relay through CorrLinks/TRULINCS
  • 24/7 human support
  • Monthly subscription on top of the official system
Read the full review

CorrLinks

7.6

The official system. Free for families, but built for compliance, not comfort.

  • Direct, official BOP / TRULINCS channel
  • No cost to the family to hold an account
  • Dated interface; no real-time delivery
  • Photo support is limited
Read the full review

ViaPath GettingOut

6.4

Capable messaging app — but you'll mostly find it at state and county facilities.

  • Modern app with photos and media
  • Rarely available for federal (BOP) inmates
  • Costs and features vary by facility
Read the full review

Securus eMessaging

6.1

Widely used for messaging, e-cards and photos — again, mainly state and county.

  • Messaging, photos and e-cards
  • Rarely available for federal (BOP) inmates
  • Credit-based pricing adds up
Read the full review

How we rate

The same five things that matter when you're the one waiting for a reply.

Federal compatibility

Does it actually reach a BOP inmate through CorrLinks/TRULINCS — or is it really a state/county tool?

Speed

How quickly a message you send turns into a message they can read.

Photos & media

Whether you can share a photo of home, not just plain text.

Cost & transparency

What you pay, how it's billed, and whether the pricing is clear up front.

Support

Whether a real person helps when a message won't go through.

Compliance

That everything stays inside Bureau of Prisons rules, so messages aren't rejected.

New to this? Here's how texting a federal inmate works

If your person was just designated to a federal facility, the process is simpler than it looks:

  1. The inmate adds you as an approved contact in TRULINCS.
  2. You create a free CorrLinks account and accept the request.
  3. From there you can message through CorrLinks — or connect a relay service to text and send photos from your phone.
Read the full step-by-step guide

Common questions

How do I text a federal inmate?

Federal inmates send and receive messages through TRULINCS, which families access on CorrLinks. You can use CorrLinks directly, or a relay service like ContactMeAsap that lets you text and share photos from your phone and delivers them through the same CorrLinks/TRULINCS system.

Is texting a federal inmate allowed?

Yes. TRULINCS/CorrLinks is the Bureau of Prisons' own electronic messaging system. Messages are monitored and must follow BOP rules, but using it is permitted and routine.

Does the inmate need CorrLinks?

Yes. The inmate must have TRULINCS access and add you as an approved contact. Once you're approved you can message through CorrLinks directly, or through a relay service that rides on the same system.

How much does it cost?

CorrLinks is free for families; the inmate pays TRULINCS time to read and compose. Relay services add a subscription for convenience — ContactMeAsap starts around $20/month, drawn from the balance you add.

Can I send photos?

Standard CorrLinks is text-focused. Relay services such as ContactMeAsap let you send photos from your phone, delivered within BOP rules.

Ready to reach them?

Our top-rated pick for federal messaging lets you text and send photos from your phone, through the official system, with support whenever you need it.

Start texting your inmate