Prisoner Integrated Communications Service (PICS) – Preliminary Market Engagement

Contract Timeline

Publication Date

16th April 2025 15:13:02 PM

Planning Deadline

30th November 2026 23:59:59 PM   588 days remaining

Contract Summary

The Prisoner Integrated Communications Service (PICS) is to replace the current Prisoner Telephony Service (PTS) currently implemented across public prisons in England and Wales. The current PTS involves use of what are widely referred to as PIN phones - pay-phone devices, which are operated with a Personal Identification Number (PIN) linked to a specified prisoner’s account (instead of cash or a phonecard). A prisoner can only make calls to limited nominated numbers which are pre-vetted. This includes family, friends, legal representatives and the Samaritans. This service is currently provided to approximately 70,000 prisoners, through over 60,000 in-cell phones and 5,000 wing phones, across 109 public prisons in England and Wales. The service is critical for prisoners and prison staff as it contributes to wellbeing, rehabilitation, and supports discipline by enabling prisoners to maintain contact with key people such as friends, family and support services. The replacement PICS will provide prisoners in England and Wales with strictly monitored digital communication channels (voice, messaging & potentially in-cell video at a later date) via digital devices such as laptops or tablets (currently Launchpad laptops) to securely contact family and friends, legal contacts, prison officers and external organisations to support their overall wellbeing and rehabilitation. MoJ is in the process of defining its design for the future PICS and is seeking supplier insights and feedback for potential enhancement options that could be included in the proposed solution through preliminary market engagement.

Contract Details

Open Contracting ID

ocds-h6vhtk-050449

Publication Source

Find a Tender Service

Procurement Stage

Planning

Procurement Method

N/A

Procurement Method Details

N/A

Procurement Category

Services

Tender Suitability

Framework / DPS

Contract Classification

CPV Code(s)

CPV Division(s)

Awarding Authority

MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

Buyer Name

Peter Thomas

Buyer Email

prisonercommunication@justice.gov.uk

Buyer Phone

Buyer Address

102 Petty France

London

SW1H 9AJ

United Kingdom