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Use of computers and the internet in prison

Prisoners aren’t allowed to use computers or the internet to send or receive emails.

They are also not allowed to use or update any social networking website (for example, Facebook or Twitter) while in prison, either:

• personally
• by asking you or someone else outside prison to do it on their behalf

Getting letters from someone in prison

Prisoners can send as many letters as they like if they pay the postage themselves - although the prison service does pay for a limited amount.

A prisoner on remand (waiting for their trial) can have two ‘paid for’ letters a week.

A convicted prisoner (someone who has been given a prison sentence) can have one ‘paid for’ letter a week.

Sending letters to someone in prison

Normally, there’s no limit to how many letters a prisoner can get.

Sometimes, a prison may limit the number of letters.

See ‘Visiting someone in prison’ to find out more about contacting individual prisons and their rules.

• Visiting someone in prison

What can and can't be put in letters and parcels

If you want to send a letter or parcel to someone in prison, contact the prison. They can tell you what can and what can’t be included in the letter or parcel.

They can also advise on what items/articles can be sent to a prisoner, including money.

The types of things that aren’t allowed in letters to (or from) prison include anything:

• that’s indecent or obscene
• that could help with, or encourage a crime
• to do with escape plans or that threatens the security of the prison
• that’s written in code
• that the prisoner has written which they want to publish and be paid for
• that gives a detailed description of the prisoner’s crime which may identify their victims, prison staff or other prisoners

Prison staff will look out for all these things.

Letters prison staff can open or read

Most letters sent to (and from) prisoners are opened by prison staff to check there’s nothing in them that’s not allowed.

Not all letters are automatically read - prison staff decide to read letters based on the prisoner, their security category and their crime. For example, prison staff may read all letters to and from a prisoner if:

• they are a ‘Category A’ prisoner (someone who would be highly dangerous to the public if they escaped)
• they are on remand for, or have been convicted of an harassment offence
• prison staff think the prisoner is planning to escape
  

• Types of prison and security categories

Types of letters that are not opened

Letters from solicitors, courts and some other private organisations are not opened. Prison staff can explain what letters are confidential to the prisoner.

Sending money to a prisoner

If you want to give money to a prisoner you can either send a cheque or postal order made payable to 'HM Prison Service'. Do not send cash.

It should be sent to the Governor of the prison where the person is. You should include:

• your name and address
• the prisoner's name and prison number

The money is then paid into the prisoner's account.

• Prison finder - search using the A to Z list or by region Opens new window

Privately-run prisons

If you want to send money to someone in a privately-run prison you should contact the prison directly. If you're unsure what type of prison the person is in, check its details using the 'prison finder' below.

• Prison finder - search using the A to Z list or by region Opens new window

• Prison life - an overview (including having money in prison)

Making telephone calls from inside prison

To make calls, prisoners have to use prison phones. Mobile phones are not allowed.

Before they can make any calls, a prisoner must give the name, address and telephone number of the people they want to call. The list has to be agreed by the prison.

Different prisons may have different rules about when a prisoner can make phone calls.

Setting up an account and paying for telephone calls

PIN (personal identification number) phones are used in all prisons. Each prisoner is given an account with a PIN number which they enter before making a call.

A prisoner can buy ’credit’ from the prison shop and the cost of phone calls made is taken off their account.

Recorded telephone calls and speaking in private

Prison staff can listen to most types of prisoner telephone calls - and the calls can be recorded.

Normally, this does not happen unless prison staff think there’s a good reason to monitor calls. For example, if they think there’s a threat to prison security.

Calls that can be made in private

Some types of call are not listened to - or recorded, including calls to:

• the prisoner’s legal adviser
• the Samaritans (a charity experienced in giving confidential emotional support to people)
• the Criminal Cases Review Commission - for example, if the prisoner is appealing against their conviction

Prison staff can explain the other types of organisation that a prisoner can speak to in private, without being recorded.