CAMPAIGNERS have slammed a prison’s “cruel” decision to ban inmates receiving letters and photos unless they are sent through Moonpig and Funky Pigeon. 

The new rule is due to be introduced later this month at HMP the Mount, a category C men’s prison in Hertfordshire, in order to crack down on drugs entering the prison, governor Paul Creasy announced on Twitter. 

Only cards and photographs sent through “trusted sources,” including Funky Pigeon, Moonpig and Freeprints will be accepted, he said. 

Other mail, such as handwritten letters and children’s drawings will be stored and photocopied. 

But Howard League for Penal Reform campaigns and communication manager Rob Preece warned that the move will “compound the misery” felt by prisoners following months of being denied visits during the pandemic. 

“Sending cards and pictures is a vital way for children to remain in touch with their parents in prison, so this ban comes not only at a financial cost to families, but also a great emotional cost,” he said. 

“The best way to keep drugs out of prisons is to reduce the demand for them. The key is to get people out of their cells and engaged in exercise, education, training and employment.”

Campaign group Our Empty Chair, which supports the families of inmates, said that handwritten cars, letters and drawings are “genuine life lines to people inside,” in a post on social media. 

“This is disgustingly cruel — particularly in light of prolonged periods of no visits and limited, costly phone contact as a result of the pandemic,” the group said. 

Moonpig said that it had no involvement with the decision.