Guidance

Prisoner communications policy: PSI 49/2011

Rules and guidance for prison staff on how to help prisoners stay in touch with family members, friends, legal professionals and support services.

• From: HM Prison and Probation Service and Ministry of Justice
• Published: 1 November 2018
• Last updated: 28 August 2026
  Show all updates

  1. 28 August 2026

     Prisoner communication services: PSI 49/2011 document has been updated.

  2. 11 August 2026

     PSI updated.

  3. 4 January 2024

     Prisoner communication services: PSI 49/2011 updated

  4. 21 September 2022

     PSI updated.

  5. 4 October 2021

     PSI updated.

  6. 2 September 2021

     PSI updated.

  7. 9 November 2020

     PSI updated.

  8. 1 November 2018

     First published.

Applies to England and Wales

Documents

Prisoner communication services: PSI 49/2011

PDF, 400 KB, 30 pages

Details

This prison service instruction (PSI) contains information and guidance for prison staff about their role in helping prisoners stay in contact with other people during their time in prison.

It covers when and how prisoners can keep in touch with friends, family, professional advisers and support services:

• by post
• by phone

This is a current PSI. It came into effect on 1 October 2011. It was last updated in January 2024.