Staying in Touch with Someone in Prison

Letters 

You can contact a prisoner by writing to them. Normally there is no limit on the number of letters you can send.  

Most letters sent to and from prison are checked by prison staff.  

Prisons cannot open letters from solicitors and courts except in special cases, for example if they suspect a letter is not really from a legal adviser. 

You can complain to the prison if you think your letters are being read when they should not be, or if your letters are not reaching the prisoner. 

Telephone calls 

The prisoner has to call you using a prison phone.  

Prison staff can listen to and record most types of call. Some calls are not monitored, for example when a prisoner calls a legal adviser. 

You can also exchange voice messages with a prisoner using the Prison Voicemail service. 

See also: 

Further information on Staying in Touch with Someone in Prison can be found on GOV.UK.