Staying in contact with a loved one in prison is important, but many families quickly discover that prison phone calls can become expensive. When calls happen frequently, the cost can add up significantly over time.
The good news is that there are several ways to reduce the cost of prison phone calls while still staying connected. In this guide, we explain why prison calls can be expensive and the practical steps families can take to lower the cost.
If you are new to the system, you may also want to read our guide explaining how prison phone calls work.


Prison phone systems are not the same as normal phone services. Calls must be monitored, recorded, and restricted to approved numbers for security reasons.
Because of this, prisons use specialised phone providers and controlled systems. These systems often charge higher rates than standard consumer phone services.
The biggest factor affecting call cost is usually the type of number being called.
You can learn more about call pricing in our detailed guide: How much do prison phone calls cost.
One of the simplest ways to reduce the cost of prison phone calls is to have the prisoner call a landline number instead of a mobile.
In many prisons, calls to landlines are significantly cheaper than calls to mobile phones. This is because the prison phone system treats landline calls differently from mobile calls.
However, many families no longer have a landline at home, which can make this option difficult.
Because prison calls are charged by the minute, shorter calls can help reduce the overall cost.
Families sometimes agree on regular call times or plan conversations in advance to make calls more efficient.
While this can help manage costs, it is not always ideal for maintaining natural conversations and emotional support.
If possible, avoiding direct mobile calls can make a significant difference to the overall cost.
Many people rely entirely on mobile phones today, but prison phone systems often charge higher rates for these calls.
This is why many families look for alternative solutions that allow prisoners to call a landline instead.
A prison phone forwarding service allows a prisoner to call a UK landline number, which then automatically forwards the call to your mobile phone.
This means the prison system treats the call as a landline call, which is usually cheaper, while you can still answer on your mobile.
Benefits of using call forwarding include:
Prison phone calls can quickly become expensive, particularly when prisoners are calling mobile phones. Because calls are usually charged per minute, regular calls can add up over time.
Many families therefore look for ways to reduce prison call costs while still staying in regular contact.
You can learn more about prison call pricing in our guide explaining how much prison calls cost.
The process is straightforward:
This allows families to reduce prison phone call costs while still receiving calls conveniently.
If you are looking for an easy way to reduce the cost of prison phone calls, our call forwarding packages provide a simple solution.
The service allows prisoners to call a UK landline number which redirects directly to your mobile phone.
Maintaining regular communication with someone in prison can play an important role in emotional support and rehabilitation.
While prison phone systems can be expensive, using the right approach can help families stay connected without unnecessary costs.
Understanding how prison calls work and using cost-saving options like landline forwarding can make staying in touch much easier.