How prison video call schedules work: time slots, how far ahead you can book, peak times, free call allowances and how to find an available slot.
Video call schedules determine when you can connect with your loved one through Purple Visits. Understanding how schedules work helps you book calls at times that suit you and maximize your opportunities to stay connected.
Purple Visits call schedules include time slots availability, advance booking requirements, peak times and free call allocations with video calling schedules varying by establishment across UK prisons. Purple Visits video call schedules typically require 2-5 days advance booking, offer up to 30 days advance reservation, include up to 60 free minutes a month (subject to availability) and feature time slots on selected days with 30 or 60 minute call durations depending on establishment-specific scheduling policies and terminal capacity.
Video calls operate on scheduled time slots with specific days of the week, specific times each day, fixed duration per call (30 or 60 minutes) and limited number of slots available.
Each establishment sets their own schedule based on operational requirements, staff availability, number of video call terminals, facility routines and activities and security considerations. This means schedules vary significantly between establishments. What’s available at one facility may be completely different at another.
A typical time slot includes the day (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, etc.), start time (e.g., 10:00 AM, 2:00 PM, 6:00 PM), duration (30 or 60 minutes) and status (available, booked or unavailable).
An example schedule might look like Monday 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM (Available), Monday 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM (Booked), Tuesday 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM (Available) and Wednesday with no slots (facility operations day).
Common patterns include daily slots where calls are available every day at the same times with consistent routine. Selected days means calls only on certain days (e.g., weekdays only or weekends only) with different times on different days that vary by facility needs.
Morning and afternoon sessions typically include a morning block (e.g., 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM), afternoon block (e.g., 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM) and evening block (e.g., 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM).
For your specific schedule, check your contact’s establishment page for their exact schedule.
Option 1 is the Establishments Directory. Visit the Establishments Directory, search for your contact’s facility, click on the establishment name, view the “Video Call Schedule” section and see available days, times and duration.
Option 2 is the Purple Visits App. Open the app, select “Request a Call,” choose your contact, view available time slots and the calendar shows real-time availability.
Option 3 is contacting the Establishment. Phone the visits booking line, ask about video call schedules, get information about upcoming availability, with contact details on establishment pages.
You’ll see days of the week with slots, times for each day, call duration (30 or 60 minutes), how many slots per day and any restrictions or notes.
You’ll also learn minimum advance booking (usually 2-5 days), maximum advance booking (usually up to 30 days), cancellation notice requirements and peak times and availability.
Minimum notice required is typically 2-5 days in advance, varying by establishment. This allows for coordination and approval and gives you time to prepare.
Maximum advance booking is usually up to 30 days ahead, though some establishments may allow more. This helps manage demand and provides planning flexibility.
For example, if today is Monday, January 1st, minimum means you can book from Wednesday, January 3rd onwards (2 days notice) and maximum means you can book up to Sunday, January 30th (30 days ahead).
Operational reasons include staff needing time to coordinate, terminal scheduling and allocation, your contact must be available and aware and security checks and approvals.
For your benefit, it provides time to prepare your setup, confirm additional participants, test your internet and clear your schedule.
For best availability, book as early as possible as popular slots fill up quickly. Weekend evenings are in highest demand, while weekday mid-morning often has better availability.
Peak times typically include weekend evenings (Friday 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Saturday afternoon and evening, Sunday evening) because most families are free from work and school obligations.
Weekday evenings (Monday-Thursday 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM) are popular because after work hours are convenient.
School holidays including half-term breaks, summer holidays and Christmas and Easter breaks see increased demand because families want to connect when children are available.
Less busy times include weekday mornings (Monday-Friday 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM), weekday afternoons (Monday-Friday 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM) and early evenings at the start of slot windows (5:00 PM to 6:00 PM slots).
These work because many families are at work or school, there’s less competition for slots, you get the same quality call experience and they may suit shift workers or flexible schedules.
Consider flexibility by asking yourself: Can you take time off work? Can you work from home with flexibility? Does your shift work allow daytime calls?
Most establishments give up to 60 free minutes a month as part of Ministry of Justice policy – usually two 30-minute calls or one 60-minute call, subject to availability at your establishment. These come at no cost to you or your contact and reset on the 1st of each month. See Free video calls explained.
Important notes: free calls don’t roll over to next month, so use them or lose them. Unused calls expire monthly. Both free calls can be used any time within the month.
Strategy for maximizing includes booking early in the month by securing one call for early in the month and booking another for later in the month to maintain regular contact.
Space them out with call 1 in the first two weeks and call 2 in the second two weeks for a regular connection rhythm.
Don’t waste them by using both calls each month, cancelling properly if you can’t make it (preserves the call) and avoiding no-shows (wastes the call).
Families are never charged for calls at prisons in England and Wales. Some prisons offer extra calls beyond the MoJ-funded 60 minutes at their own discretion, subject to availability – they appear as bookable slots in the app. At La Moye (Jersey) and Isle of Man there is no funded allowance: families pay per call, with no monthly limit, and the price is shown in the app when booking.
During major holidays, schedules may be modified with reduced slots on public holidays, some days having no slots and extra slots potentially added at other times.
Common holiday impacts include the Christmas period (December 24-26 often with reduced or no slots, December 31-January 1 with limited availability and extra demand before and after). Easter sees Good Friday often reduced and Easter Monday potentially limited, varying by establishment. Other bank holidays may have modified schedules, so check specific dates in advance and plan early for holiday periods.
Book early, as holiday slots fill up fastest. Book weeks in advance if possible and consider less popular times.
Check for announcements through app notifications, establishment communications and contact booking line if unsure.
Have flexibility by accepting alternative times, considering days before or after holiday may work better and spreading holiday greetings over multiple calls.
Physical limitations include limited video call terminals. Most establishments have only 2-5 terminals shared by all approved contacts, so they can’t accommodate everyone simultaneously.
Staff requirements mean each call requires staff supervision, limited staff are available and operational priorities compete for resources.
Space constraints mean private rooms are needed for terminals, there are limited suitable locations in facility and security requirements exist for spaces.
Operational considerations include facility routines (meals, counts, activities), maintenance windows, staff shifts and availability and security protocols.
With limited capacity, booking systems prevent overbooking, ensure fair access for all families, operate on first-come, first-served basis and cancellations create new availability.
Why proper cancellation matters: it frees up slots for others, maximises terminal usage, ensures efficient system and benefits entire community.
Check daily for cancellations, as slots open up when others cancel. Check morning and evening, set reminders to check regularly and be ready to book immediately when slots appear.
Be flexible with timing by considering less popular times, as weekday mornings are often available, early evening slots may be open and you can adjust your schedule if possible.
Book further out at maximum booking window (30 days) to secure a slot even if it’s far away. It’s better than no slot at all and you can always change if something opens up sooner.
Try different days. If Saturday is full, try Sunday. Weekdays may have better availability. Mix up your typical day pattern.
Contact the establishment to ask about schedule changes, inquire about additional slots, express demand to influence capacity decisions and verify schedule information.
Adjust your expectations, as high-demand facilities have challenges. You may need to accept less ideal times. Regular slots are better than waiting for perfect time, so focus on connecting rather than perfect timing.
Use alternative contact methods including phone calls (if available), letters, Purple Post or Email a prisoner (if offered) and in-person visits.
Consider paid slots if offered at your establishment as an additional opportunity beyond free calls. Check pricing in app.
Here’s a sample establishment schedule:
Video Call Schedule - HMP Example
Days Available: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday
Call Duration: 30 minutes
Booking Window: 2-30 days in advance
Free Calls: 2 per month
Monday:
• 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM
• 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
• 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM
• 6:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Wednesday:
• 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
• 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM
• 7:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Friday:
• 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM
• 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM
• 6:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Saturday:
• 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
• 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
• 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM
• 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM
• 6:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Note: Schedule subject to change. No calls on public holidays.
Reading this schedule: 4 days per week have slots, 4-7 slots per day, 30-minute calls, most demand likely Saturday 6:00 PM and best availability likely Monday or Wednesday mornings.
For general schedule information, check the Establishments Directory, your establishment’s detail page and the Purple Visits app (shows real-time availability).
For specific schedule questions, contact the establishment visits booking line, email visits booking team, with contact details on establishment pages.
For booking issues, contact Purple Visits support, email [email protected] or submit an in-app support request.
Q: Can schedules change?
A: Yes, establishments may adjust schedules based on operational needs, demand or special circumstances.
Q: Why are there no slots showing?
A: Could be fully booked, holiday period, maintenance or schedule updates. Check back daily or contact the establishment.
Q: Can they add more slots?
A: Possibly, but limited by terminals and staff. Express demand to the establishment if there’s insufficient capacity.
Q: Are schedules the same year-round?
A: Usually yes, but holidays and special circumstances may cause temporary changes.
Book strategically by using a calendar to track your free calls each month, spacing calls out evenly, booking early for holiday periods and considering your typical availability.
Set reminders to check for new availability weekly, monitor for cancellations and note when booking window opens for desired dates.
Be flexible by having backup day and time preferences, accepting less popular slots and adjusting your schedule when possible.
Less is more. Don’t book “just in case” slots, only book calls you’ll definitely make, cancel properly if plans change and allow system to work efficiently for everyone.
Community mindset: remember you’re sharing limited resources, your flexibility helps others, proper cancellation benefits all families and be the user you’d want others to be.
Related articles include Requesting a Video Call, Which Prisons Use Purple Visits, and Cancelling or Rescheduling.
Find your establishment at the Establishments Directory to view specific schedules and policies and find contact information for questions.
For support, contact us, email [email protected] or check our FAQ.
Remember that video call schedules vary by establishment and are designed to serve all families fairly within capacity constraints. Understanding your facility’s schedule and booking strategically helps you maximise your connection opportunities with your loved one.