Do Prisoners in the UK Have Access to Phones?

Yes, inmates in UK prisons do have access to phones. However, it’s not quite as straightforward as it is for people on the outside. Let’s delve deeper into this topic.

Firstly, it’s essential to understand that communication with the outside world is seen as a key part of rehabilitation in the UK. Staying in touch with loved ones can contribute to positive mental health and lower the chance of reoffending post imprisonment. Thus, the ability to make phone calls is viewed with a lot of significance.

The availability of telephony services is decided and controlled by the Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS). The service ensures that every inmate has a way of connecting with their loved ones or legal counsel.

Prison Phone Policies

Before we get into the details of how prisoners can use the phone, here are some basic policies that you should be aware of:

1. Inmates don’t have direct access to their mobile phones or public landlines.
2. The calls are always outgoing, which means inmates cannot receive incoming calls.
3. Access to telephone services is frequently used as a good behaviour incentive.
4. International calls are allowed, but they are generally more expensive
5. All phone calls are recorded, and some might be listened to by prison staff for security reasons.

Now, with policies out of the way, let’s look at how an inmate makes a phone call from a UK prison. The process involves certain steps:

Steps to Making a Call

• Create a list of phone numbers they intend to call. This list must be checked and approved by the prison staff.
• After approval, the numbers are connected to the Prison Telephone System (PTS).
• The inmate has a Personal Identification Number (PIN) that they can use to make calls.
• They can call only on the approved numbers from specific phones in the establishment.
• The cost of the call is deducted from their private cash or the small amount they earn from prison work.

Additionally, the number of calls an inmate can make and the duration of each call depends on the prison’s rules and the inmate’s category.

PIN Phone System

The PIN phone system is a unique, secure system designed basicially keeping in mind the inmates. They get access to a credit-based IPS (Inmate Phone System) which operates through strict control measures. It helps maintain the discipline and order essential in a prison environment.

The system is advanced enough to automatically block calls to numbers that are not on the approved list. It also enables timed calls, where calls are automatically disconnected after a set time to ensure fair access for all the inmates.

In conclusion, while prison inmates in the UK do have access to phone calls, it is a structured and controlled process to ensure safety and discipline.