Trulincs is a service that lets you send text messages to an incarcerated person from your own phone, using a regular SMS number. It’s not an app you download—it’s a system the facility sets up. The inmate gets a special phone number that forwards texts to a tablet or kiosk inside. You text that number like you would any contact, and the message shows up on their end after a short delay for review.
How do I start texting someone inside?
First, you need the facility to use Trulincs. Not every jail or prison does. Check the facility’s website or call the main line—ask if they contract with Trulincs for messaging. If they do, you’ll get a specific phone number or short code to text. The inmate usually has to set you up as an approved contact on their end. Once that’s done, you text the number, and your messages go through a screening process before delivery.
Will the inmate actually get my texts?
Yes, but there’s a filter. Every message is read by software or a human monitor before it lands on the inmate’s tablet. This can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours, depending on the facility’s volume. If your message contains certain words—like gang slang, code words, or anything flagged as contraband talk—it gets rejected entirely. You won’t always get a bounce-back notice, so if you don’t hear back, it’s possible the message was blocked.
What does it cost?
Trulincs usually charges per message or offers a monthly subscription. Prices vary by facility. Some charge a flat fee—like $0.25 per sent message—while others have a $10–$20 monthly plan for unlimited texts. The inmate’s family may also pay for the tablet rental fee. Always confirm the pricing directly with the facility or Trulincs. Don’t assume what you read on a forum from 2020 is still accurate.
Why replies feel slow even when they’re not
Inmates don’t have their phones glued to them. They might only check messages during certain hours—after meals, during recreation, or before lights-out. The tablet might be shared among multiple inmates. If you send a text at 10 PM, they might not see it until breakfast the next day. That’s normal. Don’t read into a delayed response. Also, if they reply, their message goes through the same screening process on the way out, so you might see a gap.
Can I send photos?
Some facilities allow photo attachments through Trulincs, but many block them or charge extra. Even if allowed, photos are manually reviewed, which can add hours. And they often get rejected for things like nudity, hand signs, or visible logos. If you want to send a photo, keep it simple—no group shots, no gestures, no background that looks like a street corner. A plain headshot or a picture of the kids is usually fine.
What if the inmate doesn’t reply?
It could mean they didn’t get the message, they lost tablet privileges, or they just don’t feel like writing back. Jails and prisons often restrict tablet use as punishment. If you go a week without a reply, call the facility and ask—don’t assume they’re ignoring you. Also, some inmates find texting impersonal and prefer phone calls. Don’t take silence personally; the environment is exhausting.
Is Trulincs the same as other services like GTL or Securus?
No. Trulincs is its own platform, though some facilities bundle it with other services. GTL (now ViaPath) and Securus are the two big names in prison telecom, but Trulincs is used by a smaller number of jails, mostly in the U.S. If the facility uses Trulincs, you’ll know because the contact number will be a short code or a specific area code. If you’re unsure, ask the inmate or the facility’s case manager.
Where this leaves you
If the facility uses Trulincs, texting is usually the fastest way to stay in touch—faster than mail, cheaper than phone calls. Just set expectations: delays happen, messages get blocked, replies are unpredictable. Keep your texts short, clear, and free of anything that could be read as coded. And if you want a service that works across more facilities, or you prefer sending messages from a computer, consider a platform like InmateDB, which lets you send messages, photos, and letters to inmates online, and gives them the ability to text back to any U.S. or Canadian phone number. It costs $19.99/month with a 5-day free trial for each new inmate. That might be simpler than juggling Trulincs numbers for different facilities. Either way, the goal is the same: stay connected without the runaround.
