A complete guide to receiving calls from UK prisons — how the prison phone system works, what it costs, and how to save up to 55% with a dedicated UK landline number.
UK prisons use a PIN-operated telephone system known as ITS (Intelligent Telephone System), managed by a company called Unilink. Every prisoner is assigned a unique PIN number, which they use to access the prison payphones installed throughout the wings.
Before a prisoner can call anyone, that person's phone number must first be added to their approved contact list — sometimes called their "pin list" or "phone list." The prisoner applies to have numbers added through their personal officer. Once approved (which can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on the prison), calls can be made to those numbers from any payphone on the wing.
Family and friends do not need to register directly with ITS or Unilink — only the prisoner needs to add the number. You simply give your UK landline number to your loved one and they request it to be added. Once it's approved, they can call whenever they have phone credit.
The cost of a UK prison call depends on the type of number being called. HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) sets the rates, which are updated periodically. As of 2025, the rates are:
| Number type | Weekday rate | Weekend rate |
|---|---|---|
| UK mobile (07…) | 5.5p / min | 3.6p / min |
| UK landline (01… / 02…) | 2.48p / min | 2.2p / min |
A minimum charge of 10p applies per call. Source: HMPPS 2025 published rates.
The difference is substantial. On a weekday, calling a mobile number costs 5.5p per minute, while calling a UK landline costs just 2.48p per minute — a saving of more than 55%. Over the course of a week of regular calls, this adds up to a significant difference in how long your loved one's phone credit lasts.
This is why having a UK landline number to give to your loved one makes such a difference. BluePhone gives you exactly that — a real UK landline number (starting 01 or 02) that you can pass on immediately.
Yes — with BluePhone. The app gives you a dedicated UK landline number that rings your smartphone through the BluePhone app. To the prison phone system, it looks like any other UK landline. The prisoner calls your number at the cheaper landline rate, and you answer on your phone.
Without BluePhone, if you give a prisoner your personal mobile number, they're paying the more expensive mobile rate every time they call. Over a month of calls, the difference in cost can be significant — either affecting how long calls last, how often they can call, or how much credit needs to be added to the prisoner's account.
One of the most common reasons families use BluePhone is to receive prison calls when living outside the UK. Whether you've moved abroad, are on an extended holiday, or simply don't live in Britain, giving a prisoner an international number isn't straightforward.
International numbers often cannot be added to prison phone lists — or if they can, the cost can be extremely high. With BluePhone, you maintain a UK landline number regardless of where you are in the world. The app works wherever you have an internet connection: WiFi, 4G, or 5G. The prisoner calls a normal UK number at UK rates, and you answer on your phone in Spain, Australia, the US, or anywhere else.
There are no additional international charges on your end. The call is routed through the internet to the BluePhone app, so you pay your BluePhone subscription and nothing more per call.
Setting up takes just a few minutes. Here's the full process:
You don't need a physical landline. You don't need to be in the UK. You just need the app and an internet connection.
When your loved one calls from prison, you'll see an incoming call notification on your phone. If your phone is locked, it will ring exactly like a standard phone call — with the caller ID showing so you know it's them.
Prison calls typically come with an automated announcement at the start of the call: "This call is from [name] at [prison]." This is standard across the ITS system. After the announcement, the call proceeds normally.
Call duration is set by the prisoner's credit balance. When their credit runs low, they'll usually hear a warning tone, and the call will end when credit is exhausted. Credit can be topped up by the prisoner through the prison canteen system, or in some cases family can send credit via dedicated services.
Calls are recorded by the prison and may be monitored. This is standard practice and does not affect the call quality through BluePhone.
The savings add up quickly. If your loved one calls for 20 minutes on weekdays, here's what that costs:
| Scenario | Cost per 20-min call | Cost per month (5 calls/wk) |
|---|---|---|
| Calling your mobile (5.5p/min) | £1.10 | ~£22.00 |
| Calling BluePhone landline (2.48p/min) | £0.50 | ~£10.00 |
| Saving per month | £0.60 per call | ~£12.00/month |
At 5 calls per week of 20 minutes each, switching from mobile to BluePhone saves approximately £12 per month in call costs. With BluePhone costing £15/month, the net cost is around £3 per month compared to the alternative of higher mobile rates — and you get to stay connected more.
At higher call volumes, BluePhone pays for itself and then some. Use the prison call savings calculator to work out your specific situation.
BluePhone is currently available for iPhone (iOS). An Android version is in development. Sign up with your email to be notified when Android support launches.
No. They add your BluePhone number to their phone list exactly as they would any other UK landline. There is nothing special they need to do — the number looks and behaves like a standard UK landline from the prison system's perspective.
Prison calls cannot leave voicemail — the call simply ends if unanswered. You'll see a missed call notification in the BluePhone app. Make sure your phone's notifications are enabled and the BluePhone app has permission to show alerts, including when the phone is locked.
Each BluePhone subscription gives you one UK number linked to one device. If you need multiple people to receive calls, each would need their own BluePhone subscription and the prisoner would need to add each number to their list.
Yes. BluePhone is a UK VoIP service providing virtual landline numbers. Using it to receive calls from prison is entirely legal. The number is a legitimate UK landline that can be added to a prisoner's approved phone list through the standard process.
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