Phone calls and messages

Prisoners and remandees are not permitted to receive telephone calls. They can, however, make telephone calls via a telephone system known as Unity.

To connect to the Unity Telephone System the prisoner/remandee must open a telephone account and nominate the name, address and telephone number and relationship of the person(s) they wish to maintain telephone contact with.

Tasmania Prison Service (TPS) staff will then carry out security checks on the telephone numbers provided by the prisoner/remandee. Telephone calls to banned persons,1800 numbers, or businesses are not permitted.

Up to 8 numbers may be nominated, 5 of the nominated numbers may be family and/or friends, and 3 of the numbers may be a legal representative and/or professional service providers.

Personal telephone calls made by remandees and prisoners are recorded and are subject to routine monitoring by the TPS. The use of 3-way calling or call diverting is not permitted whilst speaking to Prisoners or pemandees.  Any calls that are deemed to be a threat to the safety and security of the prison, are of a threatening, harassing or abusive nature will be terminated and could result in your phone number being removed from the prisoner or remandee’s contact list.

Members of the public can decline being added to a particular prisoner or remandee’s telephone account. It should be noted that declining phone contact does not prevent a prisoner from contacting you by mail. Information on how to restrict a prisoner or remandee from contact you by mail can be found here: Mail and photographs