PRACTICAL GUIDE 2026

Best Ways to Receive UK Prison Calls Cheaply

Receiving calls from UK prisons at lowest cost requires understanding how prison telephone pricing works. The cheapest option depends on where you live and how technically comfortable you are.

Step 1: Understand Landline vs Mobile Pricing

UK prisons use HMPPS-set rates that distinguish between calls to landlines and mobiles:

Getting a UK landline number (01/02) is the single most effective way to reduce the credit a prisoner needs per call. The family pays nothing for the incoming call — only the prisoner's credit is consumed.

Step 2: Choose Your Approach

Physical landline (BT line) — works, but requires a UK address, an engineer visit, and a monthly line rental (typically £20–30/month). Not practical for families living outside the UK or without a UK home. Credit: cheap per minute; setup: expensive and inflexible.

SIP-based virtual number — the cheapest option at £1–5/month. You get a UK 01/02 number with credentials to configure in a free softphone app (Zoiper, Linphone). Requires comfort with technical settings. No official support. Best for technically-minded users on a tight budget.

Virtual number app (managed service) — the simplest option. You subscribe, download an app, and your UK number is ready. No technical configuration. Works anywhere in the world via internet. Costs more than SIP (£4.50–15/month) but requires no technical knowledge.

Service Comparison

ServicePrice/monthSetupWorks abroadMinute limit
SecondRing£2.50EasyNo1,000 min
Virtual Landline£4.50EasyLimitedFair use
BluePhone UK£15Very EasyYesNone

Prices based on publicly available information as of June 2026. BluePhone is not affiliated with any other service listed. Verify pricing on each provider's website before subscribing.

SecondRing is the cheapest managed service at £2.50/month and is suitable for UK-based families with moderate call volumes. Its 1,000-minute monthly cap may be reached by families who receive daily calls.

Virtual Landline at £4.50/month offers fair-use unlimited minutes and is easy to set up. It works best if you are in the UK — international reception may be limited.

BluePhone at £15/month is the most expensive option here, but it is the only one designed specifically for families living outside the UK with no minute limits. If you are abroad and need guaranteed unlimited reception via app, it fills a different need than the cheaper services.

Understanding the PIN List

Whatever number you choose, the prisoner must add it to their approved PIN list before they can dial it. This process takes 24–72 hours at most prisons. See the full PIN list guide for step-by-step instructions.

BluePhone — for families who need worldwide reception

UK landline number · Unlimited calls · Works anywhere · £15/month

Get Started at bluephone.co.uk →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest way to receive UK prison calls?

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The cheapest per-minute cost comes from using a UK geographic landline number (01/02), which attracts HMPPS landline rates of 2.47p/min on weekdays versus 5.5p/min for mobiles. The cheapest way to get such a number is through a SIP provider from around £1–3/month, though this requires technical setup. A managed service like SecondRing or Virtual Landline costs more monthly but is simpler to use.

Can I receive UK prison calls outside the UK?

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Yes, if you use a virtual landline number delivered via a VoIP app. Physical landlines and most call-forwarding services only work in the UK. App-based virtual number services like BluePhone work anywhere in the world with an internet connection.

How long does it take to add a new number to a prison PIN list?

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Processing times vary by prison. Most prisons process PIN list additions within 24–72 hours. Some prisons take longer — up to 7 days in rare cases. The prisoner must submit the request in writing or through the prison's digital kiosk system.

Does a virtual landline qualify for the cheaper prison call rate?

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Yes. A UK geographic number (01/02 prefix) receives calls at landline rates from HMPPS regardless of whether it is a physical line or a virtual VoIP number. The prison telephone system identifies the number type by its prefix, not the technology behind it.

Prices and features of third-party services are based on publicly available information as of June 2026. BluePhone is not affiliated with any other service listed.