Search all content on GOV.UK

How to book and make a secure video call with somebody in prison.

• Updated: 23 July 2024

Visiting a prisoner: visiting times, keeping in touch by email, telephone or letter, banned items and sending money to a prisoner by debit card or online bank transfer

• Letters, video and telephone calls

  Letters You can contact a prisoner by writing to them. Write the person’s…

• Email and social media

  Prisoners are not allowed to access social networking websites (such as…

• Banned items

  You must not send or give anything to a prisoner that: is indecent or…

• Sending money

  You can send money to someone in prison by making an online payment by…

• Visiting someone in prison

  You can make an online request to visit someone in prison in most cases.…

Find out how you should prepare for a telephone or video court or tribunal hearing and what to expect on the day.

• Updated: 23 July 2021

Improve cross-departmental working by opening up access to video conferencing tools.

• Updated: 23 June 2020

Policy guidance for prison staff on secure social video calls introduced to help maintain family contact as a supplement to existing communications through letters, phone calls and social visits.

• Updated: 11 March 2024

Detention service order 01/2020 about access to a video call service.

• Updated: 29 August 2024

• Updated: 29 August 2024

Portland is a prison and young offender institution (YOI) on the Isle of Portland, Dorset, for men aged 18 and over.

• Updated: 18 September 2025

How to use chatbots and webchat tools to improve your users’ experience of your service.

• Updated: 3 April 2020

Thorn Cross is a men’s open prison and young offender institution (YOI) in Warrington, Cheshire.

• Updated: 30 October 2025