Why prison calls to mobiles cost more
The prison tariff charges a different per-minute rate depending on the type of number called. Calls to mobiles are charged at more than twice the landline rate on weekdays.
How the charge works
Prisoners pay for calls from their own call credit. Each minute is charged at a rate that depends on what kind of number they are calling. Under the tariff for public-sector prisons in England and Wales from 1 April 2025, as disclosed by the Ministry of Justice:
- calls to UK mobiles cost 5.5p a minute on weekdays and 3.6p at weekends;
- calls to UK geographic landlines cost 2.48p a minute on weekdays and 2.2p at weekends.
Inside Time reported that the tariff is set under the Ministry of Justice’s telephony contract. The published figures do not explain how each rate was set, so we do not speculate here.
What it means in practice
The same credit buys more than twice as many weekday minutes to a landline as to a mobile. For a family, that can mean longer or more frequent calls without the prisoner spending more.
What it does not mean
It does not mean every family saves money by getting a landline-style number: a subscription for such a number is a separate cost. It also does not describe prisons in Scotland or Northern Ireland, which have separate arrangements.
Weekday rate charged to the prisoner’s call credit.
The rate for UK 01/02 numbers, including a BluePhone number.
BluePhone costs £15/month or £149/year, paid by you. The overall saving depends on how often they call — the calculator shows both sides.
Related guides
Get your own UK number
£15/month or £149/year. iPhone and Android. No eSIM required. Incoming calls only. The prison decides whether to approve the number.
