Prisoners to Receive Direct Cell Calls in Dublin Pilot

A new pilot project will allow prisoners in Dublin to receive phone calls directly to their cells from family and friends for the first time. The Irish Prison Service says the initiative, launching at the women's Dóchas Centre and the Training Unit at Mountjoy Prison, aims to strengthen family bonds and support rehabilitation during custody.

How Will the Inbound Calls Pilot Work?

For the first time, people in custody at the Dóchas Centre and the Training Unit at Mountjoy will be able to pick up landline calls in their cells from approved contacts. The three-month trial permits up to two ten-minute calls per day during lockup hours. All calls will be recorded, and the privilege can be revoked for any breach of discipline, including accepting a call from someone not on the authorised list.

The Irish Prison Service has framed the pilot as a practical step toward better rehabilitation outcomes. Maintaining contact with the outside world, they argue, gives people a foundation of stability that serves both the individual and society.

Why Family Contact Matters for Rehabilitation

The Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) has welcomed the move, pointing to decades of evidence showing that strong family relationships are the cornerstone of successful reintegration. Saoirse Brady, IPRT Executive Director, called family connection