Top 5 ways to reduce prison phone call costs

Staying in touch with a loved one in prison is more than a convenience—it’s a lifeline. Phone calls offer emotional support, help maintain family bonds, and can even reduce the likelihood of reoffending. But for many families, the cost of these calls quickly becomes a financial burden. In the UK, prisoners pay for outgoing calls and are often charged higher rates when calling mobile phones. As a result, many families are left with limited communication simply because they can't afford it.

The good news? There are legitimate ways to cut those costs. Below, we outline the top five ways to save on prison calls in the UK—complete with practical tips, tools, and real solutions to keep you connected without breaking the bank.

Use a virtual landline (like Prison Call)

One of the most effective and widely-used ways to save money on prison calls is by using a virtual landline service. In many UK prisons, calls to mobile phones are significantly more expensive than calls to landlines. Unfortunately, most people today only use mobile phones, meaning prisoners are often forced to pay more just to stay in touch.

Virtual landline services—such as Prison Call—solve this issue. They provide you with a local landline number that automatically redirects to your mobile. To the prisoner, they’re calling a landline, so they’re charged at the lower landline rate. To you, the call still comes through on your mobile, exactly like a normal phone call.

Why it works:
- Lower call rates:
Prisoners pay the landline rate instead of the higher mobile rate.
-No special equipment needed:
You keep your existing mobile and SIM.
-Instant savings:
The moment the number is added to the prisoner's approved PIN list, they can start calling you at a lower cost.

How much you could save:
Many families using services like Prison Call report savings of £100–£250 per month, which adds up to £1000–£3000 per year—money that can go toward travel, visits, or supporting your loved one in other ways.

How to set it up:
1. Sign up online via Prison Call
2. Choose your virtual landline number.
3. Add that number to the prisoner’s approved phone list.
4. Once approved, start receiving redirected calls on your mobile.

This solution is ideal for anyone who wants frequent contact without frequent charges.

Schedule prison calls wisely

Another often overlooked way to save on prison calls is by optimising the time and duration of those calls. Most prisons charge by the minute, so every second counts. Strategic planning can significantly cut down on unnecessary costs.

Tips to reduce wasted time:
‍Keep calls brief and to the point: Emotional catch-ups are important, but setting a loose structure can help avoid long, costly conversations.
‍Call during off-peak times: While prison phones don’t operate on the same pricing schedule as traditional providers, calling during less busy hours can reduce delays and missed call attempts.
‍Avoid rushed calls: Missed or failed calls still burn credit when prisoners are trying to connect. Ensuring your phone is ready and nearby during expected call times can prevent wasted credit.

Combine phone calls with letters or email:
Some prisons offer email services (such as Email a Prisoner), which are inexpensive and reliable. Combining written communication with fewer, well-planned calls helps keep your connection strong without relying entirely on the phone.

Avoid calls directly to a mobile

Another easy way to reduce prison phone call costs is by calling a landline instead of a mobile phone. Calls to landlines are significantly cheaper, and by ensuring your loved one has access to a landline number, you can drastically cut down on the overall call expenses.

For instance, calling a landline typically costs 8p per minute, while calls to mobile phones cost around 18p per minute. Over the course of several calls, this difference can add up, especially if you or the inmate are making daily or frequent phone calls.

If you don’t have a landline phone at home, consider setting up a Virtual Landline service. With Virtual Landline, you can receive calls from a landline number directly to your mobile phone, reducing the cost of calls made from prison payphones. This allows you to maintain the convenience of mobile communication while benefiting from the lower landline rates.

If you regularly communicate with an inmate, consider investing in a Virtual Landline service, which could save you a considerable amount in the long run.

Use your calling credit wisely

Many prisoners rely on money sent from family members to top up their phone credit. To make the most out of this, families need to be strategic about how they manage these funds. Simply sending money isn’t always enough; making sure the inmate uses their phone credit wisely can help reduce overall costs.

Budgeting phone credit:
Inmates should create a weekly or monthly budget for their phone credit, setting aside specific amounts for important calls. Avoiding unnecessary or overly long calls can help stretch phone credit further.

Monitor call patterns:
Keep track of when and how long calls are being made. By understanding the inmate’s calling habits, you can help them adjust the timing or frequency of calls to maximize credit.

For example, if an inmate spends too much of their credit during peak hours or on mobile numbers, it may be time to rethink their calling strategy. Families can also provide guidance on planning calls during off-peak hours or using cheaper alternatives like voicemail and letters.

Establish clear communication habits that fit within the available call credit, ensuring that important conversations happen without exceeding the budget.

Top up through the correct channels

How you add money to a prisoner’s phone credit can also impact overall call costs. Most UK prisons operate on a prepaid PIN phone system, meaning prisoners must have credit to make calls. The credit is linked to their unique PIN and can only be used to call approved numbers.

The standard ways to top up:
‍Via the prisoner’s prison account:
You can send money using the GOV.UK Send Money to Someone in Prison service. This is secure, traceable, and accepted by all UK prisons.
‍Direct top-up services (if offered by the prison's phone provider): In some prisons, you may be able to top up directly to the prisoner’s phone account, depending on the telecom provider in use (e.g., PIN Phone, Unilink).

What to avoid:
‍Using third-party payment services without checking with the prison.
Not all prisons allow external providers to handle credit, and fees can eat into your contribution.
‍Overloading the account:
Most prisons place a cap on how much phone credit a prisoner can hold—often around £50. Sending more than this won’t increase call availability and may delay the use of that extra money.

Tip:
‍Track phone credit usage with your loved one. If they’re running out too quickly, it may indicate:
- High mobile call charges
- Missed calls or delays
- Misuse or mistaken call attemptsIn these cases, switching to a virtual landline can be a cost-saving game-changer.

Reducing the cost and getting cheap prison calls is not only possible, but it can be straight forward with the right approach. By utilising strategies such as calling during off-peak hours, opting for landline numbers, and using affordable services like Prison Calls Unlimited, you can ease the financial burden while maintaining essential communication with your loved one. Combining traditional communication methods like letters and visits with a well-managed phone plan ensures that you stay connected without overspending.