Telio Group in collaboration with the Directorate-General for Reintegration and Prison Services (DGRSP), has successfully concluded the installation of 9,062 fixed telephones inside inmate cells across all 49 prison establishments in Portugal. This milestone marks the full implementation of the Prison Telephone System (STR),  a national project designed to support social reintegration by enabling more private, secure, and frequent contact between inmates and their families.

The concept for this system was first evaluated through pilot installations in five prisons between October 2020 and June 2021, using varied technologies, facility sizes, and inmate populations: Linhó (438 phones), Santa Cruz do Bispo – Women’s Prison (320), Silves (27), Caldas da Rainha (35), and Odemira (26).
Insights gained from these pilots informed the launch of a national tender procedure in June 2023, setting the groundwork for implementation across the entire prison network.

Recognizing that reintegration begins with connection, the DGRSP and Telio Management GmbH signed a public concession agreement in February 2024 to bring secure, in-cell telephony to every prison in Portugal.

“This project is about more than communication — it’s about preparing people for release, supporting second chances, and making reintegration a real possibility,” said a spokesperson for Telio Group.

System Features:

– In-cell access to phones for increased privacy and communication frequency

– Calling hours from 7:00 to 22:00 and extended talk time up to 60 minutes

– Pre-approved number control to ensure safety and compliance

– 24/7 emergency call function and access to toll-free support lines

– Self-funded model — no cost to the State

Technical Delivery:

– 620 km of telecommunications cabling

– 165 IT racks installed

– 220+ technical coordination meetings

– 24,000 km traveled by the project team

– 80% of calls now made from inside cells or dormitories

This full coverage places Portugal among a growing number of nations modernizing their correctional systems through proven, rehabilitation-focused communication models, a shared commitment to socially responsible incarceration.