Does Prison Call Work with Every UK Prison?

When someone you care about is sent to prison, one of the biggest challenges is staying in touch. Phone calls quickly become a lifeline — emotionally and practically — but they can also be expensive and limited. That’s where services like Prison Call come in. Naturally, one of the most common questions we’re asked is: does Prison Call actually work in every UK prison?

‍The answer is yes — Prison Call is compatible with the vast majority of prisons across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. If your loved one is in a UK prison that uses the standard PIN phone system (which most do), they’ll be able to use Prison Call without issue. This blog breaks down how the service works, which prisons support it, and what you need to know to get set up.

Understanding the UK Prison Phone System

To understand whether Prison Call will work for you, it's helpful to first understand how phone calls from UK prisons operate. All prisons use what’s known as a PIN phone system. This is a controlled and monitored phone network where each prisoner is assigned a Personal Identification Number (PIN). That PIN is linked to their personal phone credit account and ensures all calls are logged and monitored by staff for security reasons.

Prisoners can only call pre-approved numbers — usually up to 20 for social contacts (like family and friends), and a separate list for legal or confidential contacts (like solicitors). Calls are recorded and reviewed if necessary, except for legal calls which are exempt to protect solicitor-client privilege.

Inmates pay for these calls using their account balance. The price of each call depends on whether they’re dialling a mobile or landline. Calling a landline is significantly cheaper than calling a mobile — often saving them as much as 15p–20p per minute. And that’s where Prison Call can help.

What Exactly Is Prison Call?

Prison Call is a service designed specifically to reduce the cost of staying in touch with someone in prison. When you sign up, you’re provided with a virtual landline number that forwards straight to your mobile phone. So when the prisoner calls the landline number, they’re charged the cheaper landline rate, even though you receive the call on your mobile. It’s a simple setup that can make a massive difference to how often you can speak.

There are different packages available depending on your needs — from single-user plans to family packages that allow calls to up to three different mobiles. There's no setup fee, activation is same-day, and you can cancel anytime without penalty.

So, Does Prison Call Work in Every UK Prison?

In nearly all cases, yes. Prison Call is designed to work with over 95% of UK prisons — including all prisons that operate the standard PIN phone system. That includes adult male prisons across Category A to D, women’s prisons, young offender institutions (YOIs), and remand centres.

It’s compatible with both public sector prisons and private institutions run by companies such as Serco, Sodexo and G4S. So whether your loved one is at HMP Belmarsh, HMP Leeds, HMP Five Wells, or a women's facility like HMP Bronzefield, the Prison Call system is highly likely to work.

Are There Any Exceptions?

While compatibility is excellent, there are a few cases where phone access may be restricted, but this has more to do with the prison regime or the individual’s circumstances rather than the Prison Call service itself.

For example, prisoners placed in segregation, isolation, or certain high-security conditions may have reduced phone access regardless of the service being used. Similarly, those under investigation, recently transferred, or dealing with legal constraints may have temporary restrictions placed on who they can call. That said, once standard access resumes, the landline number provided by Prison Call can be added to their approved list as normal.

Another factor to consider is the vetting process. Every phone number must be approved by prison staff before it can be called. This applies to all numbers — whether it's your personal mobile, home landline, or the virtual number provided by Prison Call. Approval can take anywhere from 1 to 5 working days depending on the prison.

How to Get Started with Prison Call

Getting set up with Prison Call is straightforward. First, visit www.callfromprison.co.uk and choose the plan that best suits your needs. Once you’ve signed up, you’ll receive a virtual landline number, typically within the same day.

Next, your loved one inside will need to submit this new number to be added to their approved PIN list. Most prisons will require them to fill out a basic form with the number and your relationship to them. Once this is vetted and approved, they can start calling it immediately, and you'll receive the call on your mobile — all while they’re charged the lower landline rate.

If you ever change phones or need to switch numbers, the Prison Call team can help you make adjustments to your forwarding number without any extra charge.

What Are the Benefits?

The biggest benefit is clear: saving money. Without a service like Prison Call, many families face call costs of 25p per minute or more. With Prison Call, your loved one is charged as little as 8p–9p per minute. This could save you £10–£20 a week or over £100 across a few months.

Another benefit is flexibility. You can choose a plan that covers multiple mobiles, which is great if your loved one wants to call a partner, a parent and a sibling. And you won’t have to worry about constantly asking them to top up their credit if they’re burning through minutes on expensive mobile rates.

Finally, there’s peace of mind. Knowing you can take a call from them without worrying about cost — and that they’ll be able to reach you even if you're not at home — makes a huge difference for both sides.

What If You’re Not Sure It Will Work?

If you’re unsure about whether your loved one’s prison is compatible, the team at Prison Call are more than happy to help. You can contact support with the name of the prison and they’ll confirm compatibility, and help walk you through the process of getting started. In fact, most people are up and running within 24–48 hours of signing up, and many users start receiving calls by the next day.

So, does Prison Call work in every UK prison? The answer is: in nearly all cases, yes. As long as the prison uses the standard PIN phone system — which the vast majority do your loved one will be able to call your Prison Call number and enjoy cheaper, more frequent conversations.

Whether you’re supporting a partner, parent, sibling or child inside, staying connected can ease the emotional strain and help maintain that vital link to the outside world. And with the savings and flexibility offered by Prison Call, that connection doesn’t have to come at a high price.

If you want to start saving on prison calls and support someone inside without worrying about cost, visit sign up today to get started.