Maghaberry Prison

Prisoner Telephone System

A modern telephone system employing personal identification numbers (PIN) was installed from April 2003. The same system already operates successfully in England and Wales.

Each prisoner is issued with a Personal Identification Number (PIN) which will allow them to dial any one of up to 20 numbers they supply. They are also asked to the name and relationship of the person whose number is being installed on the system. Completion of the name and relationship to the person is optional.

The cost of the call will be debited to the prisoner's personal account.

Prisoners phonecalls have always been subject to possible monitoring and recording. Notices to this affect are clearly posted next to the phones. In accordance with Prison Rules staff will not listen to calls made to solicitors and other privileged calls such as to the Human Rights Commission.

Calls to the Samaritans are exempt from the system and can be dialled by anyone at any time, free of charge.

This new system will lessen the possibility of phones being used for illicit purposes such as intimidation while also reducing the possibility of phonecards being used as currency and, on occasion, the cause of bullying and intimidation.

Full equality screening and consultation on the use of PIN phones has been undertaken.