Family and Friends Forum

I read your other post, I'm so sorry to hear its custodial. We expected it for my person but it still hit hard.

It depends on the prison but most allow photos from Free Prints. If you are keen to get something to him, I'd suggest sending him some photo as these are very likely to get through and from my experience quickly. From what I understand most prisons also allow cards from Moonpig, they also do calendars so that might be an option ( I don't know if they do books). I'd you do a book and they don't allow it, they will keep it in stores.

I'm so sorry your having to cope with a custodial - it's a horrible situation that takes time to sink in..

It varies from prison what is accepted. I sent my son sketch pads which weren't allowed, then when he moved into another prison he got them! Recently I sent him a painting by number set, which was refused as the paints were oil based (?)

He's always received photos I've sent in. I usually write on the back who the people inthe pics are. Your not allowed for security reasons to send in photos of themselves. You could always ring the prison direct to double check.

ive always sent in simple plain cards no padded areas or glitter etc allowed.

it can be a minefield - but worth it, my son loves receiving photos. I believe you can in some prisons e Mail photo's through the E Mail a Prisoner service, this is not allowed where my son is :(
Good luck x

The way we have found most cost effective is to add a call divert from my landline to my mobile. Then I pay £10 a month for all inclusive minutes and the divert is £2.50 a month. We've done it this way because I'm not often home so he needs to call my mobile, but calls to mobiles are expensive.

I also pay £5 a month for a Prison Voicemail. This can be used for calls too, it makes it cheaper for the prisoner but its quite expensive for the person on the outside. We like using this because we can leave messages for each other when we can't actually arrange a time to talk properly or if I'm with people I don't want to answer the phone in front of. My person is very fortunate to have a phone in his cell, if he had to rely on a shared phone we would use this service much more.

It all depends how often and how you'll keep in contact. We speak twice a day and as mentioned it has to be on my mobile/ I want the flexibility to not be waiting at home for him to call, that's why we do the call divert.

As for ID I noticed someone last week had a cold passport (invalidated). Each prison will be different, but I'll ask on my visit today. Once you know where he is, you should be able to call the visitors centre to find out. I do recall there were ways if you didnt have a driving licence or ID

My brother has been to prison many times, mainly for drugs. But he has not been allowed photo books. He has been allowed single photos sent in letters or by email.

I spoke to the prison I visit and they'd allow an out of date passport of it was out of date in recent years. I'd recomm contacting the visitors centre as soon as you know where he is to find out what they accept as every prison is different.