MP3 Players in the Federal Bureau of Prisons
By Christopher Zoukis Image courtesy tigerdirect.com
Federal prison inmates are now allowed to utilize a MP3 player service. This service, operated through all Federal Bureau of Prisons’ institutional commissaries and the use of the Trust Fund Limited Inmate Computer System (TRULINCS), allows inmates to purchase 8 gigabyte MP3 players for $69 and individual songs for between $0.85 and $1.55 each.
This article explain the various components of the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ MP3 player service, how inmates utilize the system, and the various components involved.
Purchasing the MP3 Player
While local policies vary, inmates in the Federal Bureau of Prisons are allowed to shop at the prison’s commissary several times a month (most federal prisons allow inmates to shop either once every week or biweekly). They are allowed to spend $320 per month on foods, drinks, clothing, snacks, candies, shoes, and electronics. Certain items, such as over-the-counter medications, postage stamps, and copy cards are exempt from this spending limit.
While federal prison inmates have been allowed to purchase walkman-style FM radios for many decades, they are now allowed to purchase 8 gigabyte SanDisk MP3 players for $69. These players hold around 2,100 songs, which can be purchased through the Trust Fund Limited Inmate Computer System (TRULINCS). They also have FM radio functionality.
Once an inmate purchases an MP3 player, they have to wait one hour, then they can connect the device to a TRULINCS computer in their housing unit and activate it. At that point, they can browse the library of songs available for purchase and make purchases.