SOUTH LONDON · CATEGORY B · PUBLIC SECTOR

How to Receive Calls From HMP Wandsworth

HMP Wandsworth is one of England's largest prisons, holding approximately 1,400 prisoners in South London. This guide explains how to receive calls from Wandsworth at the cheapest possible rate — and how families living anywhere in the world can stay connected.

Category
B — Local
Location
Wandsworth, London
Opened
1851
Capacity
~1,400

Call Rates From HMP Wandsworth

HMP Wandsworth uses the national ITS phone system, operated by Unilink under contract with HMPPS. Call rates are set nationally and are the same across all public-sector prisons in England and Wales. The most important factor for cost is whether the number called is a landline or a mobile:

Number typeWeekday rateWeekend rate
UK mobile (07…)5.5p / min3.6p / min
UK landline (01… / 02…)2.48p / min2.2p / min

Minimum 10p per call. Weekday calls to a landline cost 55% less than calls to a mobile. Over a month of regular calls, this is a substantial difference in how long credit lasts.

Getting Your Number on the Wandsworth PIN List

Before your loved one can call you from HMP Wandsworth, your number must be approved and added to their PIN list. The PIN list is managed through the prison's ITS system — the prisoner submits a request and prison staff verify the number before it is activated.

1
Get a UK number
Sign up for BluePhone to receive a UK 01/02 geographic number — the type charged at landline rates from prison phones.
2
Pass the number to your loved one
Write it in a letter or give it during a visit. Use standard UK format (e.g. 020 1234 5678) — not international format (+44). Include your full name as it should appear on the list.
3
Prisoner submits the request
At HMP Wandsworth the prisoner requests additions through their wing officer or personal officer. A written request form may be required depending on the wing and regime at the time.
4
Wait for approval — typically 24–72 hours
Processing at Wandsworth is usually within 1–3 working days. If 5 working days pass without a call, ask your loved one to check with their officer that the request was submitted and received.

If You Live Outside the UK

HMP Wandsworth holds a significant number of prisoners with family abroad — particularly given its South London catchment, which includes many international communities. Prison phones cannot dial international numbers directly, and international numbers generally cannot be added to PIN lists.

A UK virtual landline number solves this completely. Your loved one dials a normal UK 01/02 number and pays the cheaper landline rate. The call reaches you through the internet — whether you are in Nigeria, the Netherlands, the US, or anywhere else. There are no international charges on your end for receiving the call.

What to Expect During Calls

When a call arrives from HMP Wandsworth, you will hear an automated announcement: "This call is from [name] at HMP Wandsworth." This is standard on the ITS system and applies to all UK prisons. After the announcement, the call proceeds normally.

Calls are recorded by the prison. This is a legal requirement under the Prisons Act and does not affect how calls work through BluePhone. Prison recording is separate from BluePhone entirely.

Call length is limited by your loved one's credit balance. Wandsworth prisoners can top up credit through the prison canteen system. Credit can also be added by family in some circumstances through approved top-up services.

Savings Example

At a common call pattern of 5 calls per week, 20 minutes each:

ScenarioMonthly call credit
Calling your mobile (5.5p/min)~£23.82
Calling BluePhone landline (2.48p/min)~£10.74
Monthly saving in call credit~£13.08

Use the savings calculator to enter your specific call frequency and duration.

Receive calls from HMP Wandsworth — anywhere

BluePhone gives you a UK landline number delivered to your smartphone · £15/month

Get Started at bluephone.co.uk →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I receive calls from HMP Wandsworth?

›
Give your loved one a UK phone number and ask them to submit it for PIN list approval through their wing officer or personal officer. Once approved, they can call your number from any prison phone on their wing. For the cheapest rate, use a UK landline number (01/02 prefix) — charged at 2.48p/min rather than 5.5p/min for mobiles.

How long does PIN list approval take at HMP Wandsworth?

›
Typically 24–72 hours on working days. This can be longer if prison staffing is reduced or if additional verification is needed. If no call has come after 5 working days, ask your loved one to follow up with their wing officer to confirm the request was received and is being processed.

Can I receive HMP Wandsworth calls if I live abroad?

›
Yes. A UK virtual landline number (01/02 prefix) receives calls through an app on your smartphone via the internet. You can be anywhere in the world — your loved one calls a standard UK number at UK landline rates, and the call reaches you through your internet connection wherever you are. No international charges apply to receiving the call.

What are the current call rates from HMP Wandsworth?

›
Weekday: 5.5p/min to mobiles, 2.48p/min to landlines. Weekend: 3.6p/min to mobiles, 2.2p/min to landlines. Minimum 10p per call. These are HMPPS 2025 rates, set nationally and applied at HMP Wandsworth as at all public-sector prisons in England and Wales.

Does BluePhone work specifically with HMP Wandsworth?

›
Yes. BluePhone provides a UK geographic landline number (01/02 prefix) that can be added to a PIN list at HMP Wandsworth the same way as any other UK landline. There is nothing special required — your loved one submits the number through the standard process, and once approved, calls come directly to the BluePhone app on your phone.

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