Prison Call vs Cell Phone Rocks

For families trying to stay connected with loved ones inside prison, call costs can become overwhelming. A single 20-minute call to a mobile can cost over £5 if no savings service is in place. That’s where companies like Prison Call and Cell Phone Rocks come in, offering ways to bring costs down and make communication more affordable.But not all services are equal. In this guide, we’ll compare Prison Call vs Cell Phone Rocks, looking closely at pricing, reliability, ease of use, compatibility with UK prisons, and the overall value you get for your money.

Why Cheaper Prison Calls Matter

Before diving into the comparison, it’s worth highlighting why saving on prison calls is so important. According to prison reform charities and government reports, maintaining family contact is strongly linked to reduced reoffending rates, better mental health, and smoother reintegration after release.

Unfortunately, high prison phone call costs often limit how often families can talk. This is why virtual landline services like those offered by Prison Call and Cell Phone Rocks have become so popular. By using a local landline number instead of a mobile, you can cut costs by up to 80% — without changing how you receive calls.

How Virtual Landline Numbers Work

Most UK prisons use a PIN-phone system, where prisoners can only call pre-approved numbers. If the number is a mobile, calls are charged at a higher rate. If it’s a landline or virtual landline, the prisoner pays significantly less per minute.

Prison Call and Cell Phone Rocks both give you a landline number that redirects to your mobile. Your loved one dials the landline from the prison phone, paying the cheaper landline rate, and the call is instantly forwarded to you — simple, legal, and cost-effective.

Price Comparison: Prison Call vs Cell Phone Rocks

When it comes to price, every penny counts. A typical mobile call from prison can cost around 25p per minute, which can add up to over £100 a month for frequent calls.

✅ Prison Call offers straightforward, low-cost pricing from around 3p per minute. There are no complicated bundles, no hidden fees, and you know exactly what you’re paying.

📞 Cell Phone Rocks also advertises cheap rates, but they often use tiered pricing, meaning you may get a low introductory price or bundle, followed by higher top-up rates over time.

This can make budgeting harder for families who need consistency.If your priority is predictable, ongoing savings, Prison Call’s pricing structure is clearer and often more affordable in the long run.

Setup & Activation

Getting your number up and running quickly matters when your loved one is waiting to call.
Prison Call has a simple sign-up process:

- Choose your virtual landline number
- Add it to your loved one’s PIN list
- Start receiving cheaper calls, often the same day

Cell Phone Rocks also offers online setup, but in some cases customers have reported longer processing times or the need for manual confirmation before numbers are active.

When time is critical, speed and simplicity give Prison Call a clear edge.

Reliability & Prison Compatibility

One of the biggest worries for families is whether the number they buy will actually work reliably from inside the prison.

Prison Call focuses specifically on the UK prison network, ensuring its landline numbers are fully compatible with the prison PIN system. Their support team also helps if a number needs re-authorising or is rejected by the prison.

Cell Phone Rocks does offer UK landlines, but their service isn’t built solely around prisons, meaning some users may run into compatibility issues at certain establishments. While it may work in many cases, support and troubleshooting may be slower or less tailored to the prison environment.

Customer Support & Trust

When problems happen, like a number not working or a call not connecting, quick and helpful support makes a huge difference.

✅ Prison Call has built a strong reputation for fast and reliable customer service. They offer UK-based support that understands how the prison system works and can help resolve issues quickly.

📞 Cell Phone Rocks does offer customer support but focuses on a broader telecom base, meaning the help may not always be tailored to the specific quirks of prison calling systems.

For peace of mind and ongoing support, Prison Call comes out on top here.

Transparency & Hidden Fees

Budgeting for prison calls can be stressful, so knowing exactly what you’ll pay matters.

Prison Call: No setup fees, no hidden costs, clear pricing.
Cell Phone Rocks: May include top-up minimums, bundle variations, and different pricing tiers depending on how much credit you buy.

If you want simple, stress-free billing, Prison Call’s transparency makes life easier.

Real Impact on Families

Behind every number is a real person trying to stay connected with someone inside. Lowering the cost of calls means:
- Longer conversations without worrying about the clock
- More frequent contact, improving emotional wellbeing

Support for rehabilitation and family stabilityFor many families, Prison Call’s simplicity, low cost, and reliability make it easier to maintain those vital connections day after day.

Ready to Get Started?

If you’re ready to lower the cost of your loved one’s calls, signing up with Prison Call takes just a few minutes.

✅ No contracts
✅ No hidden fees
✅ Works with UK prison PIN systems
✅ Instant setup and real savings

👉 Get your virtual landline now and start saving today.