In March 2020, the Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) issued a report addressing concerns about mass emails sent through the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ (BOP) Trulinks, also known as Corrlinks, email system. This system is vital for inmates to communicate with their families and friends, as it allows text-based messaging without the inclusion of images or attachments. Over the years, Trulinks has been instrumental in disseminating important information regarding BOP policies, legal developments, and general updates related to incarceration. However, the OIG report underscored issues associated with the unrestricted flow of mass emails and recommended that the BOP take measures to enhance the monitoring of inmate communications to avoid risks such as radicalization.
The limited access to information and communication options for prisoners has long been a critical concern. While inmates can watch television or listen to the radio, they do not have internet access, which is a crucial source of information for the general public. As a result, families often use Trulinks to share vital news with incarcerated individuals, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic highlighted the importance of communicating essential information, with many nonprofit and for-profit entities stepping in to deliver timely updates about health and legal issues affecting the prison population. However, following the OIG’s recommendations, the BOP has implemented restrictions on the number of prisoners that any one group can correspond with at a given time.
BOP Public Affairs representative Ben O’Cone explained that the measures taken are aimed at mitigating risks associated with mass communications, particularly to prevent the communication of unknown parties with high-risk individuals. Although the initiative seems grounded in the need for better monitoring, critics argue that the decision to limit email outreach undermines the ability of non-profit organizations to provide crucial information to a broader inmate population. Rather than limiting the flow of information, some believe a more effective approach would be to enhance monitoring of specific prisoners, allowing more inmates access to newsletters and updates sent by advocacy groups.
The OIG report, which prompted the BOP’s decision, identified gaps in monitoring inmate communications regarding terrorist activities, indicating that existing policies were not adequately enforced. While the BOP offers various communication channels depending on threat levels—like emails, phone calls, and video sessions—it was found that not all communications were being properly supervised. This lack of oversight meant that prisoners were, in many cases, unable to receive critical information disseminated through mass emails, impacting their awareness of changes within the criminal justice system.
The implications of these restrictions are particularly concerning for non-profit organizations that strive to keep inmates informed about essential issues, including changes to sentencing guidelines and ongoing legal cases. For example, Pamela Bailey, who leads her own small non-profit, expressed alarm over how the new limitations will hinder her ability to provide timely and relevant information to thousands of incarcerated individuals. Many prisoners rely on her and similar organizations to disseminate knowledge that helps them navigate their legal circumstances and understand their rights.
Larger organizations, such as Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM) and ALEPH, play a significant role in informing prisoners about policy changes and advocating for their rights. These groups regularly send out mass communications through the Trulinks system to educate inmates on legal matters affecting their incarceration. With ongoing discussions surrounding significant reforms like the First Step Act, the ability for these organizations to provide consistent information has never been more vital. However, the BOP’s new limitations signal a troubling slowdown in the flow of critical information, leaving many prisoners increasingly in the dark about their legal rights and available support. In summary, while the BOP’s intent may be to tighten security, the effects may severely restrict access to vital communication that many inmates depend on for hope and information regarding their futures.