Do State Prisons Have Email Like Federal Prisons?

The short answer is similar but not the same, and it varies considerably depending on which state you are dealing with.

The federal Bureau of Prisons uses TRULINCS, which is the Trust Fund Limited Inmate Computer System. It is not true email in the way most people think of it. Messages are screened, delayed, and monitored before delivery, but it functions like email and is available across the federal system consistently.

State systems are a patchwork. Some states have rolled out electronic messaging platforms that work similarly to what the federal system offers. JPay is the most widely used third-party platform across state systems and it operates in a large number of states, allowing family members to send messages, photos, and even video grams from an app or website. GTL, which recently rebranded as ViaPath, operates a similar service called Getting Out that is used in other state and county facilities.

The challenge is that not every state has adopted these platforms and even within states that have, not every facility is connected. A state might have electronic messaging available at some prisons but not others, depending on the age of the facility, the security level, or the contract that particular institution has with a vendor.

The number of states offering some form of electronic messaging has grown steadily over the past several years and the trend is moving toward broader adoption. But until it is universal, checking what is available at the specific facility your loved one is housed in is the only way to know for certain what communication options are on the table.

InmateAid can help you identify the facility and point you toward the right platform for staying in contact electronically.