Inadequate controls on contraband mobile phones in prisons
First to latest report 31 Jan 2019 — 4 Feb 2026
Reports that mention this concern
3
Times this concern has been raised
4
Stated actions linked to this concern
9
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.
What is 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.
Trends
Reports over time
Reports mentioning this concern, 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
Reports and published responses 3 reports
See individual reports that have raised this concern, and the actions taken in response
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.
Linked response
Clyde & Co Claims LLP
Stated actions An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.6
Clyde & Co Claims LLP
Plan expansion works for a new Gate House and refurbishment of the existing Gate House to accommodate Enhanced Gate Security.
Clyde & Co Claims LLP
Use specialist screening equipment routinely to screen staff, professional visitors and social visitors entering the prison.
Clyde & Co Claims LLP
Expand the Special Searching Team to increase the frequency and quality of staff and visitor searches.
Clyde & Co Claims LLP
Fund and deploy additional external dog patrols to reduce contraband throwovers and support searching.
Clyde & Co Claims LLP
Develop a business case seeking funding for staffing and additional dogs to support searching seven days a week during core hours.
Clyde & Co Claims LLP
Deliver the phased replacement of vulnerable prison windows to reduce contraband ingress.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.3
Clyde & Co Claims LLP
A temporary gatehouse extension was not pursued because existing interim searching measures were considered a better use of finances, though less comprehensive.
Existing arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Clyde & Co Claims LLP
HMPPS must approve and fund building-design changes, while G4S is contracted only to manage and maintain the existing facility.
Redirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Clyde & Co Claims LLP
Window replacement cannot be completed widescale or faster because approved suppliers, specialist contractors, prisoner relocation and security logistics constrain delivery.
Unable 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.
Linked response
HM Prison and Probation Service
Stated actions An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.3
HM Prison and Probation Service
Invest over £40 million in physical security across 34 prisons, including anti-drone measures at more than 15 priority prisons.
HM Prison and Probation Service
Operate X-ray body scanners in all adult male closed prisons to detect and deter internally concealed illicit items.
HM Prison and Probation Service
Equip 54 priority establishments with enhanced gate security, including metal detectors and X-ray baggage scanners, to screen staff and visitors.
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.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Actions and positions describe what organisations say in published responses. Implementation is not independently verified.
Actions and positions describe what organisations say in published responses. Implementation is not independently verified.