UK prison calls to mobile numbers cost more than twice as much as calls to landlines. Here's everything you need to know about reducing the cost — and how BluePhone makes it easy.
Prison phone calls in England and Wales are charged by HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), not by individual prisons. The rates are set nationally and apply across all public-sector prisons in England and Wales. The pricing model charges different rates depending on the type of number being called.
Historically, prison phone contracts were awarded to private companies who charged extremely high rates — sometimes more than 10p per minute. Following significant criticism and campaigning by prison reform groups, HMPPS negotiated reduced rates through the ITS (Intelligent Telephone System) contract with Unilink. Rates were substantially cut in 2023 and again reviewed in 2025.
The current 2025 HMPPS rates are:
| Number type | Weekday | Weekend |
|---|---|---|
| UK mobile (07…) | 5.5p/min | 3.6p/min |
| UK landline (01…/02…) | 2.48p/min | 2.2p/min |
| Non-geographic (03…) | varies | varies |
10p minimum charge applies per call. Rates are set by HMPPS and subject to change.
The gap between mobile and landline rates is the key insight. Landline calls cost 55% less per minute than mobile calls on weekdays. This is the single most effective way to reduce prison call costs — give the prisoner a landline number to call instead of a mobile.
The obvious fix is simple: give the prisoner a landline number. But most families don't have a landline anymore. Fixed-line subscriptions have been declining for years in the UK. Even those who do have a landline may not be home when calls come, or they might have moved abroad.
BluePhone solves this by giving you a virtual UK landline number — a real 01 or 02 number — that rings through an app on your smartphone. There's no physical phone line involved. You sign up, download the app, and receive calls on your mobile, while the prisoner calls the cheaper landline rate.
From the prison phone system's perspective, the number is a landline. The prisoner dials a UK 01/02 number and is charged the landline rate — 2.48p per minute on weekdays. The call reaches you through the internet, wherever you are.
The answer depends on call volume and duration. Here's a breakdown across common scenarios:
| Weekly calls | Avg duration | Mobile cost/mo | Landline cost/mo | Saving/mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 calls/wk | 15 min | £9.90 | £4.46 | £5.44 |
| 5 calls/wk | 20 min | £22.00 | £9.92 | £12.08 |
| 7 calls/wk | 20 min | £30.80 | £13.89 | £16.91 |
| 7 calls/wk | 30 min | £46.20 | £20.83 | £25.37 |
Calculated using weekday rates (5.5p/min mobile, 2.48p/min landline). Real savings may vary based on actual call mix of weekday/weekend calls.
At 5 calls per week of 20 minutes each — a common pattern — the saving is over £12 per month in call credit. With BluePhone costing £15/month, the net monthly expenditure on receiving prison calls drops significantly. At higher call volumes, the savings exceed the subscription cost.
Use the savings calculator to plug in your exact numbers.
The HMPPS rates above apply to all public-sector prisons in England and Wales using the ITS system. This covers the vast majority of UK prisons. A small number of privately-operated prisons may have different arrangements, though most now use the same ITS contract.
Scotland and Northern Ireland operate separate prison phone systems with different rate structures. BluePhone works as a landline number regardless — the key is whether the Scottish Prison Service or NI Prison Service charges differently for landline vs mobile calls. In most cases, the principle is the same.
Here are all the options available to families looking to reduce prison call costs:
As covered above, this is the most effective single change. Switching from mobile to landline cuts the per-minute rate by 55% on weekdays. This doesn't require any action from the prison itself — the prisoner simply adds a different number to their list.
Weekend rates are lower than weekday rates for both mobile and landline numbers. If call schedules allow, planning longer calls at weekends can reduce costs. The saving is more significant for mobile-to-mobile (5.5p → 3.6p) than for landline calls (2.48p → 2.2p), but every bit helps.
Each prison has a cap on how much phone credit a prisoner can spend per week. Understanding these limits and planning calls accordingly helps ensure call credit lasts through the week rather than being exhausted early. Shorter, more frequent calls are sometimes more practical than fewer long ones.
In some circumstances, prisoners can apply for additional phone credit through the Incentives and Earned Privileges (IEP) scheme if they demonstrate good behaviour. Advocacy organisations such as the Prison Reform Trust can provide guidance on this.
Some charities and local authority support schemes can help with phone credit costs for families on low incomes. Organisations like Pact (Prison Advice and Care Trust) and Nacro may be able to point you toward available support.
There's no physical landline required. No contract beyond your monthly subscription. And you can cancel at any time.
No — calls from prison are always charged to the prisoner's credit account at HMPPS rates. There is no free calling option. The only way to reduce costs is to use a number type with a lower per-minute rate (landline over mobile) or to reduce call duration.
UK VoIP numbers that carry a UK 01/02 geographic number are treated as landlines by the prison system and charged at landline rates. BluePhone numbers are exactly this type of number. Numbers with non-geographic prefixes or international numbers may not be accepted by all prisons.
Yes — significantly. At weekday rates, a £5 credit top-up gives 91 minutes of landline calls versus just 90 minutes at the old rates... more relevantly, it gives 201 minutes to a landline (2.48p/min) but only 90 minutes to a mobile (5.5p/min). More than double the talk time for the same credit.
No. Your BluePhone number is a standard UK 01/02 geographic number. You don't need to disclose the underlying technology. The prisoner simply requests the number be added to their list and the prison processes it as a standard landline number.
Get a UK landline number in minutes and cut the cost of prison calls by up to 55%. No landline required. Cancel any time.