UK Prison Phone Call Rates 2026
UK prison phone call rates are set by HMPPS and vary depending on destination number type. The difference between mobile and landline rates is the most important factor for families trying to reduce call costs.
Official HMPPS Rate Table
| Day type | To mobile (07) | To landline (01/02) | Saving on landline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekday | 5.5p/min | 2.47p/min | 55% cheaper |
| Weekend / Bank Holiday | 3.6p/min | 2.2p/min | 39% cheaper |
Source: HMPPS 2025 prison telephone tariff (England and Wales). A minimum charge of 10p applies per call. Rates apply to ITS and Unilink phone systems. Scottish prisons (SPS) and Northern Irish prisons (NIPS) may operate at different rates.
Cost Calculator Example
To illustrate the impact over a month, consider a prisoner who calls daily for 30 minutes on weekdays:
To a mobile number
30 min × 5.5p = £1.65/call
22 weekday calls/month
£36.30/month
in prisoner credit
To a landline (01/02)
30 min × 2.47p = 74p/call
22 weekday calls/month
£16.28/month
in prisoner credit
At 30 minutes daily on weekdays, switching from a mobile to a landline number saves the prisoner approximately £20/month in credit. The family pays the subscription cost of their virtual landline service (e.g. £15/month for BluePhone) — meaning the combined cost of calls plus subscription can still be lower than calling a mobile number at no fixed cost to the family.
How to Reduce Prison Call Costs
- Use a UK geographic landline number (01/02) rather than a mobile — saves 55% per minute on weekdays
- Schedule calls at weekends when possible — rates are lower (3.6p vs 5.5p for mobile; 2.2p vs 2.47p for landline)
- Use a virtual landline app if you are not UK-based — cheaper than keeping a physical BT line
Get a UK landline number to cut your prison call costs
BluePhone — £15/month · Unlimited incoming calls · Works anywhere in the world
Get Started at bluephone.co.uk →