Prison Communication Glossary
Plain-language definitions for the terms families encounter when navigating inmate communication. Search by name, browse by category, or use the A to Z navigation to find what you need.
All definitions are written for people who are new to the prison communication system. No prior knowledge is assumed.
The prison communication system comes with its own vocabulary that can be confusing for families who are new to it. Terms like TRULINCS, AdvancePay, inmate trust account, commissary, and PIN debit mean specific things in this context that may not be obvious from their names. This glossary explains each term in plain language without assuming any prior knowledge.
Terms are organized into five categories: Communication covers messaging, phone, and video platforms. Facility Types explains the difference between federal prisons, state prisons, county jails, and private facilities. Finance covers money transfer, trust accounts, commissary, and fees. Technology covers the systems and platforms providers use. Administration covers legal and procedural terms families encounter during the incarceration process.
Most Searched Terms
Inmate Account
Also called a trust fund account. The facility-managed account families fund for commissary, calls, and messaging.
Commissary
The in-facility store where inmates buy food, hygiene items, and stationery using their account balance.
Electronic Messaging
Digital messaging through platforms like JPay and CorrLinks, reviewed by staff before delivery.
Inmate Phone Calls
Outgoing-only calls placed by the inmate. Fund a prepaid account in advance to receive them.
15 terms
Commissary
Commissary is an in-facility store available to incarcerated people where they can purchase food, hygiene items, clothing, stationery, and other approved goods using funds from their inmate account.
Read DefinitionCorrectional Facility
A correctional facility is any institution operated by a government agency or private company that houses people who have been arrested, are awaiting trial, or are serving a court-ordered sentence.
Read DefinitionFederal Prison
A federal prison is a correctional facility operated by the U.S. Bureau of Prisons that houses people convicted of federal crimes and sentenced under federal law.
Read DefinitionInmate Messaging
Inmate messaging is a digital service that lets families and approved contacts send written messages to incarcerated loved ones through a facility-contracted platform such as JPay or CorrLinks.
Read DefinitionInmate Phone Calls
Inmate phone calls are outgoing calls placed by an incarcerated person from a facility phone system to approved contacts, using a prepaid account managed through a contracted provider such as ConnectNetwork or GettingOut.
Read DefinitionMoney Transfer
A money transfer in the correctional system means sending funds to an incarcerated person's inmate account so they can use the balance for commissary purchases, phone calls, and other approved services.
Read DefinitionState Prison
A state prison is a correctional facility operated by a state government's department of corrections that holds people convicted of state-level felonies serving sentences of more than one year.
Read DefinitionVideo Visitation
Video visitation is a scheduled video call service that allows families to see and speak with incarcerated loved ones through a secure platform, without traveling to the correctional facility.
Read DefinitionCounty Jail
A county jail is a local detention facility operated by a county sheriff's office that primarily holds people awaiting trial or serving short sentences of one year or less.
Read DefinitionElectronic Messaging
Electronic messaging in the correctional system is a digital service that allows incarcerated people and their approved contacts to exchange written messages through a facility-contracted platform, similar to email but with review and restrictions applied.
Read DefinitionInmate Account
An inmate account, also called a trust fund account, is a personal financial account held by the correctional facility on behalf of an incarcerated person that they use to pay for commissary, phone calls, and other approved services.
Read DefinitionInmate ID Number
An inmate ID number is a unique identification code assigned to a person when they enter the correctional system, used across all facility systems to track their record, location, account information, and communications.
Read DefinitionInmate Search
An inmate search is the process of using an official online database or locator tool to find where a specific person is currently incarcerated, including their facility location and basic status information.
Read DefinitionInmate Tablet
An inmate tablet is a restricted digital device provided at participating correctional facilities that gives incarcerated people access to messaging, educational content, entertainment, and other approved services.
Read DefinitionVisitation Rules
Visitation rules are the policies set by each correctional facility that govern who can visit an incarcerated person, how visits are scheduled, what is required for entry, and how visitors must behave during a visit.
Read DefinitionFrequently Asked Questions
What is a JPay stamp and how much does it cost?
A JPay stamp is a virtual credit used to send electronic messages through the JPay platform. Each standard text message requires one stamp. Stamp prices vary widely by facility and state, from around $0.10 in some states to $0.50 in others. Photo attachments require one additional stamp per image. Stamps are purchased in bundles and do not expire.
What is the difference between an inmate trust account and a commissary account?
An inmate trust account is the main financial account managed by the facility where outside funds are deposited. A commissary account is funded from the trust account and used specifically for purchases at the facility store. In most facilities these are the same account accessed in different ways, but some facilities maintain them separately.
What does TRULINCS stand for?
TRULINCS stands for Trust Fund Limited Inmate Computer System. It is the secure computer network operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons that provides incarcerated people with access to electronic messaging through CorrLinks, along with limited other digital services. Inmates access TRULINCS through secure terminals in their housing unit.
What is AdvancePay and how is it different from a collect call?
AdvancePay is a prepaid calling account through ConnectNetwork where families deposit money in advance and calls are deducted from the balance. Collect calls charge the receiving phone bill directly after each call. AdvancePay consistently offers lower per-minute rates than collect calls and is the recommended option for families who receive calls regularly.