Do UK Prisoners Have Phones?

Last reviewed: July 2026

Quick answer: Yes – but only official, prison-provided phones. Prisoners in England and Wales use a secure PIN phone system to call a small list of pre-approved numbers, and many prisons now have a fixed landline inside each cell (“in-cell telephony”). Personal mobile phones are strictly banned; possessing one in prison is a criminal offence that can add up to two years to a sentence.

Families often ask whether their loved one can keep a phone with them the way they would at home. The short answer is that prisoners do have access to phones, but nothing like a personal mobile. Everything runs through a controlled, monitored system. This guide explains what is allowed, what is banned, and how you can realistically stay in touch.

The official prison phone system

Every prisoner is set up with a phone account accessed by a personal identification number (PIN). They can only ring numbers that have been submitted and security-checked in advance, which is why adding a new contact can take a few days. Calls are paid for from the prisoner’s own account, topped up from prison wages or private cash sent in by family. Wing phones are switched off overnight and during lock-up.

Increasingly, prisons are installing in-cell telephony — a secure landline fixed inside the cell. This has been rolled out across many Category C and some Category B prisons. It sounds like a big change, but the phone still only dials approved numbers, still runs on the prisoner’s PIN, and is still recorded and monitored. It simply means people can call home in the evening rather than queue for a shared phone.

Mobile phones are banned

Personal mobile phones and SIM cards are prohibited items in every prison. Being found with one, or helping to smuggle one in, is a serious criminal offence under the Prison Act. Illicit phones are treated as a major security risk because they can be used to run crime from inside, harass victims, or arrange drug deliveries, so prisons use detection technology and searches to find them.

Method of contact	Allowed?	Notes
PIN phone (wing or in-cell)	Yes	Approved numbers only; recorded
Secure video calls	Yes, most prisons	Booked in advance; monitored
Email a Prisoner service	Yes	Message printed and delivered
Personal mobile phone	No – illegal	Criminal offence to possess

How you can stay in touch

Besides phone calls, most families use the Email a Prisoner service, where you type a message online and the prison prints and delivers it, sometimes with a reply slip. Letters are unlimited and remain the cheapest option. Secure video calls let you see each other between visits. And of course in-person visits are booked through the prison’s visits line. You can send credit for phone calls and canteen using the official Send money to someone in prison service.

Common misunderstandings

“In-cell phones mean they can call any time, day or night.” No. Access is time-limited and can be restricted; approved numbers only.
“If the prison allows in-cell phones, a mobile is basically fine.” No. A personal mobile is always illegal, in every prison.
“I can just give my number over the phone to be added.” Contacts are added through the prisoner’s formal request and security vetting, not on the spot.

A note from experience

Our founder Daniel Hockey served a sentence himself before founding this site, moving from HMP Wandsworth to open conditions at HMP Ford. He often points out that the phone is a lifeline but a rationed one — you learn to make calls short and warm. Setting up approved numbers early, and keeping the phone account topped up, makes those first weeks far less stressful. Read his story on our About Daniel Hockey page.

Frequently asked questions

Do all prisons have in-cell phones now?

No. Many do, especially Category C and some Category B prisons, but not all. Where there is no in-cell phone, prisoners use shared phones on the wing.

Are the calls recorded?

Yes. Social calls are recorded and can be monitored. See our guide, Are prison phone calls recorded?

What happens if a prisoner is caught with a mobile?

It is a criminal offence that can result in a further prison sentence of up to two years, on top of internal punishments such as loss of privileges.

Can I ring in to speak to a prisoner?

No. Prisoners can only make outgoing calls to approved numbers; you cannot phone in to reach them directly.

How do I get my number approved?

The prisoner requests it through the prison; the number is then security-checked before it is added to their list.