First reported 31 Jan 2019•Latest report 4 Feb 2026
Definition
What this concern includes
Includes prison-specific controls for preventing, detecting, restricting, seizing, monitoring or otherwise managing unauthorised mobile phones, including controls addressing availability, use, trafficking and associated prison-security risks.
Not included
Excludes ordinary authorised prisoner telephone services and failures unrelated to unauthorised mobile phones.
Excludes general illicit-drug, contraband or prison-security deficiencies where unauthorised mobile phones are not a material part of the asserted concern.
Excludes mobile-phone risks outside prisons unless the assertion explicitly concerns the same prison contraband-mobile-phone control.
Excludes downstream drug, organised-crime or communication harms where no failure of prison controls over contraband mobile phones is identified.
Reports
3
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
4
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2019–2026
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
9
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
HM Prison and Probation Service2
Ministry of Justice2
G4S1
High Down Prison1
Parc Prison and Young Offender Institute1
Executive agency2
Ministerial department2
Prison or young offender institution2
Prison operator1
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
South Wales Central
Concerns raised2
Failure to maintain the gate house at a security level that restricts entry of illicit materials
Failure to maintain prison-block windows at a security level that restricts entry of illicit materials
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.6
Action
Plan expansion works for a new Gate House and refurbishment of the existing Gate House to accommodate Enhanced Gate Security.
Stated by Clyde & Co Claims LLPStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 4 February 2026.
Action
Use specialist screening equipment routinely to screen staff, professional visitors and social visitors entering the prison.
Stated by Clyde & Co Claims LLPStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 4 February 2026.
Action
Expand the Special Searching Team to increase the frequency and quality of staff and visitor searches.
Stated by Clyde & Co Claims LLPStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 4 February 2026.
Action
Fund and deploy additional external dog patrols to reduce contraband throwovers and support searching.
Stated by Clyde & Co Claims LLPStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 4 February 2026.
Action
Develop a business case seeking funding for staffing and additional dogs to support searching seven days a week during core hours.
Stated by Clyde & Co Claims LLPStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 4 February 2026.
Action
Deliver the phased replacement of vulnerable prison windows to reduce contraband ingress.
Stated by Clyde & Co Claims LLPStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 4 February 2026.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.3
Position
A temporary gatehouse extension was not pursued because existing interim searching measures were considered a better use of finances, though less comprehensive.
Stated by Clyde & Co Claims LLPExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Position
HMPPS must approve and fund building-design changes, while G4S is contracted only to manage and maintain the existing facility.
Stated by Clyde & Co Claims LLPRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Window replacement cannot be completed widescale or faster because approved suppliers, specialist contractors, prisoner relocation and security logistics constrain delivery.
Stated by Clyde & Co Claims LLPUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Surrey
Concerns raised1
Easy availability of mobile phones in prison
This report raised 4 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.3
Action
Invest over £40 million in physical security across 34 prisons, including anti-drone measures at more than 15 priority prisons.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 8 December 2025.
Action
Operate X-ray body scanners in all adult male closed prisons to detect and deter internally concealed illicit items.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 8 December 2025.
Action
Equip 54 priority establishments with enhanced gate security, including metal detectors and X-ray baggage scanners, to screen staff and visitors.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 8 December 2025.
Birmingham and Solihull
Concerns raised1
Uncontrolled use of contraband mobile phones contributing to substance misuse problems
This report raised 3 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Includes prison-specific controls for preventing, detecting, restricting, seizing, monitoring or otherwise managing unauthorised mobile phones, including controls addressing availability, use, trafficking and associated prison-security risks.
