Phone & PIN
Phone list, PIN wait, first call, and what families are actually seeing.
What this actually means
The first call is not the same thing as being on the phone list. Reception often lets someone make a short first-night call. That does not mean every number is approved.
PIN approval is a security check. Families wait days, sometimes weeks. The range on this page is what other families at this prison have reported — not an official SLA.
Landlines are cheaper than mobiles. If cost is the problem, that is the lever — not talking less.
How prison phones work
- The person inside has to call you. Prison phones do not accept incoming calls.
- They can only call numbers that have been approved on their PIN / phone list.
- Calls are paid from their phone credit, not by the person receiving the call.
- Public-estate rates (from 1 April 2025): UK landline 2.48p/min weekday, 2.20p weekend; UK mobile 5.50p/min weekday, 3.60p weekend. Minimum charge 10p per connected call.
- Samaritans calls are free. Staff may monitor calls.
Family reports
“PIN came through after about 2 days.”
“Phone list took about 10 days.”
“PIN came through after about 2 days.”
“PIN came through the same day.”
“Phone list took about 6 days.”
“PIN came through after about 2 days.”
“PIN came through the same day.”
“PIN came through after about 2 days.”