Texting a prisoner in the UK is now the fastest legal way to get a message inside. The service is called Email-A-Prisoner, often shortened to EMAP, and it is run by a company called Prison Cloud Services on behalf of HMPPS. You write a message on your phone or laptop, pay a small fee, and within hours it is printed out and handed to your loved one on the wing — or, in a growing number of prisons, delivered straight to an in-cell tablet. No stamps. No postal delays. No waiting a fortnight for a reply that never comes.
This guide walks you through every step: setting up your account, finding out which prisons accept it, what you can and cannot say, how reply credits work, and the practical tricks that experienced families use to keep contact flowing.
What is Email-A-Prisoner?
Email-A-Prisoner is the official electronic messaging service used in around 120 of the 122 prisons in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. It replaced the patchy old paper-letter system as the main day-to-day contact route during the Covid lockdowns and has been expanding ever since.
There are two ways messages reach the prisoner:
Either way, every message is read by a member of the security team before it gets to the prisoner. Treat it like a postcard — assume staff will see every word.
How Much Does It Cost?
Pricing was last refreshed in late 2025. Current rates are:
You top up your account with a debit or credit card. There is no subscription. Unused credits sit on the account indefinitely.
> **Insider tip:** Always attach a reply credit. Most prisoners have no money on their account in their first weeks, so without a prepaid reply they physically cannot write back. The 30p you add saves weeks of silence.
Setting Up Your Account
The prisoner does not need to do anything to receive messages. They do, however, need to add you to their approved contacts list before they can reply.
What You Can and Cannot Send
Allowed:
Not allowed:
Messages that fail security are either redacted or rejected outright. You will get an email telling you it has been blocked, but you will not always be told why.
Photo Uploads
Around 70 prisons now accept photos via EMAP. Each photo is checked for prohibited content before being printed in colour or pushed to the tablet. Limits per prison vary but most cap it at four photos per message. No nudity, no gang signs, no images of children other than the prisoner's own family.
> **Insider tip:** Date-stamp your photos in the caption ("Mia's first day at school, September 2025"). It helps the prisoner place the memory and gives security context that speeds approval.
Which Prisons Accept Email-A-Prisoner?
Almost all do. The handful of exceptions in 2026 are a small number of high-security units that still rely on paper-only correspondence. The EMAP website lists every establishment with current status — check before you sign up.
When Messages Go Wrong
Common problems and fixes:
Reply Credits Explained
A reply credit is a prepaid token that allows the prisoner to send one electronic reply at no cost to themselves. Without it, they have to use their own private cash (which most do not have for the first 4–6 weeks). Always include one. Always.
Alternatives to EMAP
EMAP sits in the middle: faster than post, cheaper than video calls, and the only option that lets you send photos and long written updates in one go.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an email to a prisoner take to arrive?
On tablet-enabled wings, usually under an hour. On print-and-deliver wings, within 24 hours on weekdays. Weekend messages typically land Monday afternoon.
Can a prisoner reply to my email by email?
Yes, but only on tablet-enabled wings or where the prison runs an outgoing scanning service. Otherwise their reply comes back as a paper letter through the post.
Can children use Email-A-Prisoner?
Children under 18 cannot hold their own EMAP account, but a parent or guardian can send messages on their behalf. Many families set up a single household account.
Is Email-A-Prisoner monitored?
Yes. Every incoming and outgoing message is read and logged by prison security. Treat it accordingly.
What happens to my credits if the prisoner is released?
They stay on your account. You can use them for any other prisoner you add later, or request a refund through EMAP customer service.
Can I send an email to someone on remand?
Yes, as soon as they are processed and have a prisoner number — usually within 48 hours of arriving at the establishment.
*Last updated: April 2026.*