Staying in touch with someone in prison
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1. Letters, video and telephone calls
Letters
You can contact a prisoner by writing to them. Write the person’s prisoner number on the envelope. Normally there’s no limit on the number of letters you can send.
Most letters sent to and from prison are checked by prison staff.
Prisons cannot open letters from solicitors and courts except in special cases, for example if they suspect a letter is not really from a legal adviser.
You can complain to the prison if you think your letters are being read when they should not be, or if your letters are not reaching the prisoner.
Video calls
You can make secure video calls to people in some prisons using your mobile phone or tablet.
Calls can last up to 30 minutes. A prisoner is allowed 1 free video call a month.
Who can call
You must be over 18 and on the prisoner’s list of friends and family.
You can invite up to 3 other people (of any age) on the call if they are on the prisoner’s visitor list.
How to call
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Find out if the prison offers video calls.
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Install an app on your phone or tablet (it can take up to 24 hours for your account on the app to be verified).
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Check if everyone who wants to join the call is on the prisoner’s list of friends and family.
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Request a video call using the app or ask the prisoner to request a call.
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Prison staff will schedule the call and send confirmation by email.
All video calls are recorded. Prison staff may watch video calls while they are happening.
Telephone calls
The prisoner has to call you using a prison phone.
They can only call people named on their list of friends and family. This list is checked by security when they first arrive so it may take a few days before they’re able to call.
Prison staff can listen to and record most types of call. Some calls are not monitored, for example when a prisoner calls a legal adviser.
You can also exchange voice messages with a prisoner using the Prison Voicemail service.
2. Email and social media
Prisoners are not allowed to access social networking websites (such as Facebook or Twitter) while they’re in custody.
You cannot email prisoners directly, but you can use a service called Email a Prisoner. If you send a message this way, it’ll be printed out and delivered by prison staff. Each email costs 40p and you need to buy credit to use the service.
In some prisons, prisoners can also reply and attach a photo through Email a Prisoner. Check which prisons allow replies.
3. Banned items
You must not send or give anything to a prisoner that:
- is indecent or obscene
- threatens the security of the prison
- is written in code
You must not take anything written by a prisoner that they want to publish and be paid for.
It’s a criminal offence to send or give a prisoner:
- illegal drugs
- alcohol
- weapons
- a camera
- a mobile phone
Contact the prison if you’re unsure what you can send or give.
4. Sending money
You can send money to someone in prison by making an online payment by Visa, Mastercard and Maestro debit card.
The money is paid into the prisoner’s account - a basic cash account they can use to send and receive money.
You can no longer send money by bank transfer, cheque, postal order or send cash by post to any prison. You’ll need to use a debit card instead.
If you cannot make an online payment
You may be able to apply for an exemption - for example if you:
- are unable to use a computer, a smart phone or the internet
- do not have a debit card
This will allow you to send money by post.
You can also find out how to get a debit card by setting up a basic bank account.
5. Visiting someone in prison
You can make an online request to visit someone in prison in most cases.
You can only visit a prisoner if they’ve added you to their visitor list. The prison will contact you once you’re on this list.
Get help with the cost of visiting someone
You might be able to get help paying for a prison visit, for example travel costs, if you’re receiving certain benefits.
How often you can visit someone in prison
A convicted prisoner is usually allowed at least two 1-hour visits every 4 weeks.
A prisoner on remand (waiting for their trial) is allowed three 1-hour visits a week.
You can find out more about the exact rules on visits on the prison information page of the prison you’re visiting.