How to Use CorrLinks to Contact an Inmate: Federal and State Setup

Trying to connect through CorrLinks can feel confusing when one person tells you to wait for an invitation and another tells you to add the person yourself. The important starting point is whether the person is in a federal Bureau of Prisons facility or a participating state system.

What this service does

For federal BOP correspondence, the incarcerated person starts the process by requesting to add you to an approved contact list. Once approved, CorrLinks sends an invitation that you can accept. Massachusetts provides a different example: its correctional agency says outside contacts send the first email, and the incarcerated person can then reply. Do not apply the federal invitation rule to every state facility.

How to get started

Confirm the person’s current facility and whether its instructions identify CorrLinks.
For a federal contact, give the person the exact email address you intend to use, then watch for the official invitation.
For a state contact, follow that correctional agency’s account and contact-search instructions instead of assuming an invitation is required.
Use the official CorrLinks website or supported app to read and send messages after the connection is established.

Details to check before you pay

The BOP says a federal invitation code expires after 10 days. If an invitation is missing, check your spam folder and ask the person to verify the spelling of your email address. An expired invitation requires a new contact request. State procedures, charges, and available features must be checked separately.

Make your first message easy to answer

Introduce yourself, explain where you found the profile, and ask one or two everyday questions. You do not need to tell your whole life story at once. A friendly opening could be: “Hi, I saw your profile on Unchained Connections and wanted to introduce myself. What is something you enjoy talking about, and what has been the best part of your week?”

If the connection is not working

Write down whether the problem is a missing invitation, an expired code, an unavailable contact, or a message that does not appear in your sent folder. That distinction gives support a useful starting point.

Keep the conversation comfortable

Choose a communication budget before you begin, and be honest about how often you can write or call. Keep your password private. Read the facility’s rules before sharing photos or sensitive details, and avoid sending private information about other people. Take time to build trust rather than feeling pressured to spend money or respond immediately.

Official websites and help

Service availability, fees, account screens, and facility rules can change. Check the official provider and correctional facility before paying. Unchained Connections is an independent pen-pal directory and is not the communication provider. Provider names and logos identify the services discussed; their use does not imply endorsement. Reviewed October 29, 2026.