Three levels: Basic, Standard and Enhanced. The level changes how much of the money you send they can use each week, their visits, and things like a TV in the cell. They start on Standard.

How much money can they use on each level?

£6, £21.75 or £36.25 a week from the money you send, on Basic, Standard or Enhanced, if they are convicted. On remand it is £30.25, £66.50 or £72.50. You can send more: the rest stays in their private cash account. Prison wages are on top. A prison can set lower limits.

Do IEP levels change visits?

Yes, but everyone keeps their statutory visits, even on Basic: at least two 1-hour visits every 4 weeks if they are convicted, and three 1-hour visits a week on remand. On Standard and Enhanced the prison can add extra visits, longer visits or a better room. Family days are booked separately.

Do they start on Basic?

No. They start on Standard. A move to Basic follows a review of their behaviour. On Basic they are reviewed within 7 days, then at least every 28 days, or every 14 days for young people and anyone at risk of self-harm.

Do they keep their level if they move prison?

Yes, if the new prison has the same level. If it does not, the new prison puts them on the closest one.

Can they wear their own clothes?

Yes on remand. If they are convicted, it depends on the prison: each prison decides in its own incentives policy, and some allow it at any level.

prisoncheckMoney and visits · October 2026

What are IEP levels?

The level changes how much of your money they can use each week, and their visits. Basic, Standard and Enhanced. They start on Standard.

Basic

The lowest level. A move here follows a review of their behaviour.

From the money you send, if convicted: £6 a week
Visits: Their statutory visits: at least two 1-hour visits every 4 weeks.
Also: No TV in the cell, apart from a few exceptions, such as a risk of self-harm.

Standard

Where they start.

From the money you send, if convicted: £21.75 a week
Visits: Their statutory visits. The prison can add more, longer or better ones.
Also: TV in the cell, for £1 a week (50p in a shared cell).

Enhanced

The top level in most prisons.

From the money you send, if convicted: £36.25 a week
Visits: Their statutory visits, often with extra, longer or better ones.
Also: Can mean higher pay, first call on the best-paid jobs and more time out of cell.

The weekly figure is how much of the money you send they can move into their spending account, if they are convicted. On remand it is £30.25, £66.50, £72.50. You can send more: the rest stays in their private cash account. Prison wages are on top. A prison can set lower limits.

Questions families ask

Three levels: Basic, Standard and Enhanced. The level changes how much of the money you send they can use each week, their visits, and things like a TV in the cell. They start on Standard.
£6, £21.75 or £36.25 a week from the money you send, on Basic, Standard or Enhanced, if they are convicted. On remand it is £30.25, £66.50 or £72.50. You can send more: the rest stays in their private cash account. Prison wages are on top. A prison can set lower limits.
Yes, but everyone keeps their statutory visits, even on Basic: at least two 1-hour visits every 4 weeks if they are convicted, and three 1-hour visits a week on remand. On Standard and Enhanced the prison can add extra visits, longer visits or a better room. Family days are booked separately.
No. They start on Standard. A move to Basic follows a review of their behaviour. On Basic they are reviewed within 7 days, then at least every 28 days, or every 14 days for young people and anyone at risk of self-harm.
Yes, if the new prison has the same level. If it does not, the new prison puts them on the closest one.
Yes on remand. If they are convicted, it depends on the prison: each prison decides in its own incentives policy, and some allow it at any level.

HMPPS · Incentives Policy Framework. Figures from 1 April 2025.

What next

Guide · 5 minWhat happens on the first night?What reception, first-night phone calls, and induction usually look like — without the folklore.Guide · 6 minHow do visits actually work?Visitor lists, booking windows, ID, dress codes, video calls, and what to expect when you arrive.Guide · 4 minHow do I send money?The only official way to send money, what it pays for, and how long families say it takes to show.ToolFind their prisonThe level names are national. The privilege list is local.