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  1. FAQs
  2. Keeping in touch with a prisoner

Keeping in touch with a prisoner

There are many ways you can keep in touch with your loved one in prison. For more information on our website please click here.

Can a prisoner call me?

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Prisoners can make outbound calls to you providing they have enough pin credit on their account. 

Published: 1st November, 2020

Updated: 16th February, 2022

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Letters

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You can communicate with your loved one in prison by writing letters to eachother. Each week a prisoner is allowed to send one free letter. If they want to send more than this then they need to purchase stamps and envelopes from the prison canteen. Alternatively, you can post self-addressed stamped envelopes to the prisoner so they can post letters back to you. If a prisoner is on remand then they are allowed to send 2 free letters a week.

Published: 2nd November, 2020

Updated: 16th February, 2022

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Email a prisoner

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You can send emails to a prisoner by signing up to Email a Prisoner. At some prisons you can pay a bit extra and the prisoner can reply via email (staff scan the reply) otherwise, prisoners can only reply by phone call or letter.

Published: 3rd November, 2020

Updated: 16th February, 2022

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Prison Voicemail

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You can leave a voicemail for a prisoner via Prison Voicemail. 

Published: 4th November, 2020

Updated: 16th February, 2022

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Urgent messages

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If you have an urgent message for a prisoner such as informing them of the death of a family member, you can call the prison switchboard and ask to speak to the Prison Chaplain. Prison Chaplains can usually pass on difficult messages like this and offer support to your loved one. 

Published: 5th November, 2020

Updated: 16th February, 2022

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Video calls

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Most prisons offer social video calls. To have a video call, you will need either the Prison Video app or the Purple Visits app installed on your smartphone or tablet. You can read more about how to use the service on Gov.UK 

Published: 6th November, 2020

Updated: 18th August, 2022

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Showing 10 of 6

Latest

  • Have a social video call with a prisoner

    Have a social video call with a prisoner

    Did you know that you can have a video call with someone in prison? Every prisoner is allowed one secure social video call per month.

  • Unwanted Prisoner Contact Service

    Unwanted Prisoner Contact Service

    We understand that not all contact from people in prison is welcome. Help is available if you want to stop getting calls, letters or texts from a prisoner.

  • Fideos Bywyd Carchar

    Mae'r gyfres hon o fideos byr wedi'i datblygu mewn partneriaeth â charcharorion a'u teuluoedd. Mae’n archwilio’r gwahanol agweddau ar fywyd carchar a’r cymorth y gall eich anwyliaid ei gael yn ystod ei amser yn y ddalfa.

  • جیل کی زندگی کی ویڈیوز

    مختصر ویڈیوز کا یہ سلسلہ قیدیوں اور ان کے اہل خانہ کے اشتراک سے تیار کیا گیا ہے۔ یہ جیل کی زندگی کے مختلف پہلوؤں کی کھوج کرتا ہے اور آپ کے پیارے کو حراست میں رہنے کے دوران ان تک رسائی حاصل ہو سکتی ہے۔

Most read

  • Sentence length

    Sentence length

  • Locating a prisoner

    Locating a prisoner

  • Remand in custody

    Remand in custody

  • Visiting prison

    Visiting prison

  • Transfers

    Transfers

  • Release date

    Release date

  • Prisoner Categories

    Prisoner Categories

  • Property and money

    Property and money

  • Contact our Helpline Team

    Contact our Helpline Team

    We're here to help and support you through your experience with the criminal justice system

  • Recall to prison

    Recall to prison

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© Prisoners' Families Helpline 2023.
All rights reserved.

The National Prisoners’ Families Helpline is operated by Prison Advice and Care Trust under contract to His Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS).

The NICCO website provides information for professionals who come into contact with the children and families of offenders.

 

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