First night in prison: when will they call?
You haven't heard. It's late. Here's what usually happens on a first night in prison, and who to ring if you're scared.
Checked against GOV.UK and HMPPS policy.
The first hours
A quiet first night is common.
Arriving takes time. Staff deal with their property and their health. They sign a form about calls and letters.[3, 8.1]
Policy says they should be able to use a phone on their first night.[3, 5.15] The call may be short. It may go to someone else.
Security staff check their phone list when they first arrive.[1] GOV.UK says it can take up to 72 hours before they can make their first call.[8]
After that, each number still has to be added. There's no published deadline for those.
So a quiet first night, or a few quiet days, is common. Plan for it, so a silent phone isn't read as worse news.
If you've heard nothing.
You can't ring in. There's no number that reaches them.[1] Can you ring them?
If it's urgent, such as a death or a serious illness, ring the prison and say so.
Not heard after 72 hours? GOV.UK says to use the Prisoner Location Service.[8] Find where they're held
Not sure what to say? Ring the Prisoners’ Families Helpline on 0808 808 2003. It's free. It's open Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 3pm.[5] If it's closed, ring when it opens.
When they ring
What helps when a call does come.
- Have one number they can write downRead it slowly. Have them read it back. One wrong digit means a silence nobody can explain.
- Keep your phone onAnswer numbers you don't know. The prison may ring you to check who you are.[3, 7.5]
Common questions.
Will they call on the first night?
They may. Policy says they should be able to use a phone on their first night. The call may be short, and it may go to someone else. GOV.UK says it can take up to 72 hours before they can make their first call.
Why have I not heard from them?
They may still be in reception. Their list may not be live. They may have no credit. They may not know your number by heart. None of that means they're hurt. If you're frightened, ring the prison and say so. The Prisoners' Families Helpline can tell you what to ask. Not heard after 72 hours? GOV.UK says to use the Prisoner Location Service.
Can I ring the prison to speak to them?
No. There's no line that rings through to them. If it's urgent, such as a death or a serious illness, ring the prison and say so. The Prisoners' Families Helpline can tell you what to ask for.
What number should they have?
One they can write down and read back. The prison still has to add it to their list. Get the digits to them by any route you have: a solicitor, a visit, a letter, or the first short call.
Check us
- Staying in touch with someone in prison. GOV.UK, current guidance. Read 23 August 2026. Read it yourself
- Interception, monitoring and security of prisoner communications policy framework. HM Prison and Probation Service / Ministry of Justice, issued 11 August 2026. Read 26 August 2026. Paragraph 7.9 points to a separate operations manual for exceptions. We have not read it. Read it yourself
- Prisoners' Families Helpline. prisonersfamilies.org, opening hours read from the site. Read 23 August 2026. Read it yourself
- Find a prisoner. GOV.UK, current guidance. Read 30 August 2026. The Prisoner Location Service. It needs their consent before it tells you where they are. So a request can come back with nothing. Read it yourself