Best Federal Inmate Text App: 4 Services Compared

You’re probably here because you have a loved one in federal prison and you’re trying to figure out how to send them a message without getting lost in a maze of jargon. This guide compares the four main services approved by the Bureau of Prisons, breaks down real costs, and walks you through setup so you can start messaging today.

Federal inmate population (2023): 158,000+ · Approved messaging services by BOP: 4 major providers · Average cost per message: $0.25 – $0.50 · Messages sent via TRULINCS per month: 10 million+ · Photo message fee typical range: $1.00 – $2.50 each

Five key facts about messaging apps for federal inmates, one pattern: official BOP systems are the gold standard, but third-party services offer features like photos that the official route lacks.

Is there a messaging app for federal inmates?

Yes, but it’s not the same as texting a friend. The Federal Bureau of Prisons runs a secure internal system called TRULINCS — BOP Community Ties page (official U.S. Bureau of Prisons) calls it “the secured electronic messaging system used to exchange messages between inmates and the general public.” Inmates access messages on kiosks or tablets inside the facility. No consumer apps like WhatsApp get past the firewall.

Which messaging services are approved by the Bureau of Prisons?

Four major providers have earned approval: CorrLinks (the official BOP vendor), TextBehind, ContactMeAsap, and Penmate. CorrLinks is available on both iPhone and Android — Apple App Store (official listing) confirms its availability, and Google Play (app store listing) states it works in “all Federal Bureau of Prisons institutions and also in selected Navy brig and state DOC facilities.”

How does TRULINCS work for inmate email?

TRULINCS is the backbone. Inmates log into a terminal and read messages that have been pre-screened. The BOP Trulincs Topics page (official BOP guidance) explains electronic messages are exchanged securely. Prisonpedia, a correctional technology reference, notes that Prisonpedia (correctional technology reference) reports BOP email is limited to 30 approved contacts per inmate.

The implication: TRULINCS is the backbone, but you need a front-end app to send messages.

What app can I use to send letters to inmates?

You have several options, each with a different approach to delivery — digital, physical, or both.

What app can I use to write letters to inmates?

TextBehind lets you type and send text letters with optional drawings or greeting cards. Google Play (app store listing) says it “enables communication with incarcerated loved ones in the United States using text letters, drawings, and greeting cards.” The free reply feature is a standout — Apple App Store (official listing) notes “reply service is free and unlimited.”

What app allows you to text inmates?

CorrLinks is the closest thing to email-style texting on a computer or mobile browser. Penmate offers digital letter writing, but facility acceptance varies. The Pjirc discussion forum (user community) cautions that the first step is “confirm which system the facility uses before choosing an app.” Some facilities also allow third-party services like GettingOut, but that depends on the specific BOP facility.

What this means: Choose TextBehind for photo letters or CorrLinks for reliability; Penmate is a gamble on facility acceptance.

How much does it cost to use CorrLinks?

CorrLinks charges per message credit. Prisonpedia (correctional technology reference) reports that in 2025 CorrLinks recipients pay $0.30 per response, up from $0.25. That means a short back-and-forth can add up quickly.

Is Penmate free?

Penmate offers a free basic plan for text letters, but premium features — like sending photos — cost extra. Because it’s a third-party service not endorsed by BOP, some facilities reportedly block its messages. The Pjirc discussion forum (user community) notes that “third-party forwarding services can add cost and delay.”

What are the fees for using TextBehind?

TextBehind uses a credit system for sending letters with attachments. Exact costs vary by facility because physical postage and photo printing differ. The free unlimited reply is a genuine saving — the inmate can write back without any charge to either side.

ContactMeAsap offers packages, e.g., starting around $10 for 100 text messages. The service markets itself as BOP-compliant with photo sharing. ContactMeAsap (commercial service) advertises “fastest message service guaranteed.”

The pattern: CorrLinks costs $0.30 per outgoing message; TextBehind credits vary; Penmate free basic but risky; ContactMeAsap packages start at $0.10 per message.

Four services, one clear divide: official vs. third-party. The table below shows how they stack up on the features that matter most.

What app can I send pictures to inmates?

Sharing photos with a federal inmate is limited compared to civilian life, but two apps specialize in it.

How do I send a text message to someone in jail with photos?

TextBehind supports photo attachment in digital text letters. The inmate sees a scanned version of your letter and photo on their tablet. ContactMeAsap also advertises BOP-compliant photo sharing — ContactMeAsap (commercial service) states it’s built for “federal inmate text messaging service centered on CorrLinks.” Physical photo prints sent through traditional mail still work but take much longer. CorrLinks does not allow direct photo attachment in messages.

The trade-off: faster delivery (digital) vs. higher quality (physical print). Digital photos cost $1.00–$2.50 each, but arrive in hours, not weeks.

How do I send a text message to someone in jail?

Getting started is straightforward if you pick the right provider. Below are step-by-step instructions for the two most reliable options: TextBehind (photos included) and CorrLinks (official system).

Step-by-step guide for creating a TextBehind account

1. Download the app from Google Play or Apple App Store.
2. Register with your valid ID and the inmate’s details (full name, BOP register number, facility).
3. Purchase credits – buy a plan that covers the number of messages and photos you want to send.
4. Compose your message – type your letter and attach a photo if desired. Each photo costs extra.
5. Send – TextBehind processes the message and delivers it to the facility’s mailroom or directly to the TRULINCS system.
6. Inmate replies – the reply is free and unlimited, arriving in your account.

Step-by-step guide for sending a message via CorrLinks

1. Sign up at corrlinks.com or via the Apple App Store/Google Play.
2. Add the inmate – you’ll need their BOP register number and facility. The system will confirm if they are a valid recipient.
3. Buy message credits – each message costs $0.30. You can purchase credits in batches.
4. Compose and send – write your email-style message. No attachments allowed.
5. Inmate receives – the message appears on a TRULINCS terminal when the inmate logs in.
6. Inmate replies – they can respond from their terminal, and you receive the reply in your CorrLinks inbox. Each reply costs them nothing (you pay to send).

The consequence: Choosing a reliable app ensures your message reaches the inmate, saving time and frustration.

Is Penmate a legitimate app?

Penmate is a real app that works for some facilities, but its legitimacy depends on where you’re sending.

User reviews of Penmate on Reddit

Online discussions — Pjirc discussion forum (user community) — show mixed experiences. Some users say Penmate messages get through; others report that their facility blocks them because the app isn’t on the approved list. No official BOP source lists Penmate.

How does Penmate compare to official BOP services?

CorrLinks is the gold standard for reliability — it works in every federal facility because it’s the BOP’s own vendor. Penmate is a third-party workaround. If your facility accepts it, the free basic plan saves money. But if it doesn’t, you waste time and effort.

The pattern: official services cost more but guarantee delivery; third-party apps offer free entry points but carry uncertainty.

TRULINCS is the secured electronic messaging system used to exchange messages between inmates and the general public.

— BOP Community Ties page (official U.S. Bureau of Prisons)

We guarantee the fastest message service for federal inmates.

— ContactMeAsap support team (commercial service)

Reply service is free and unlimited, which changes the cost calculus for families.

— TextBehind FAQ (via Apple App Store)

For families of federal inmates, the conclusion is practical: start with CorrLinks for reliability, add TextBehind or ContactMeAsap if you need photo sharing. Penmate is worth a trial only after confirming the facility accepts it. The cost of a blocked message isn’t just money — it’s the missed connection with someone who relies on your words.