hmp styal visit booking line

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https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2014/09/15/you-can-now-book-a-prison-visit-online/

You can now book a prison visit online

Booking a prison visit should be simple and straightforward. Until now that was far from the case. Booking a visit required both prisoner and visitor to jump through hoops: paper forms and drawn-out phone calls. And if the visit date turned out to be impossible, they had to start all over again.

Now you can book a visit online . It takes about 5 minutes. Before, picking an available date was pot luck. Now there's a date-picker that lets you select 3 possible slots instead of 1. It’s a straight-forward service with user-needs at its heart but, if you get stuck, you can call the prison's visits booking line and someone will help you with the booking.

Here's a very short film we've made about it:

By making it easier to book visits, prisoners will see more of their friends and family. Evidence suggests this will help their rehabilitation. Transformation isn't just about websites.

The service was built by the Ministry of Justice, with a combined team from the National Offender Management Service, HM Prison Service and MoJ Digital Services.

For more of the story behind this service, read Mike Bracken's account of his trip to HMP Rochester or check out the service’s transformation page .

Join the conversation on Twitter , and don't forget to sign up for email alerts .

You may also be interested in:

• Prison visit booking: using digital analytics to inform alpha development
• Making prison visits easier to book
• Meet the Transformation team

Sharing and comments

Share this page, 20 comments.

Comment by Pauline posted on 23 August 2015

How do you find out the prisoners number??? so you can go ahead with online booking of a visit?

Comment by Carrie Barclay posted on 24 August 2015

You can find a prisoner using this service: https://www.gov.uk/find-prisoner However it will be the prisoner's responsibility to get in touch with you to let you know their prison number etc.

Comment by linda posted on 15 August 2015

This service does not appear to work this is day 2 trying to use it

Comment by Olivia posted on 30 July 2015

Hi, If a visit is booked and someone cant make it, is it possible to change the name of one of the people to someone else?

Comment by Louise Duffy posted on 30 July 2015

It's best to contact the prison directly if this happens. You can find contact details here: http://www.justice.gov.uk/contacts/prison-finder

Thanks, Louise

Comment by Paige posted on 28 July 2015

Hi my partner was sent to nottingham today, I was on his previous list 4 months ago for a visit. Will that still be on the system all will it have to he put through again if so how long does it take to be approved for a visit? Thanks Paige.

Comment by Louise Duffy posted on 29 July 2015

You might want to get in touch with the prison first before booking a visit. You can find the contact details of the prison here: http://www.justice.gov.uk/contacts/prison-finder

Comment by Debs posted on 27 July 2015

Hello Is there a list of prisons where online booking can't be used?

Comment by Louise Duffy posted on 28 July 2015

According to the information on this page: https://www.gov.uk/prison-visits , you can arrange a visit to any prison in England and Wales through this service. If you're visiting someone in Northern Ireland or Scotland you'll need to contact the prison directly.

This link also lists the type of visits that are not covered by the online service: https://www.gov.uk/prison-visits so you need to get in touch with the prison directly.

Hope that's helpful.

Comment by c.steer posted on 26 July 2015

So how do I find the booking form to fill in I am new to computers

Comment by Louise Duffy posted on 27 July 2015

Here's the link to the booking form: https://www.gov.uk/prison-visits

You'll need this information to complete the form:

prisoner number prisoner’s date of birth dates of birth for all visitors coming with you make sure the person you’re visiting has added you to their visitor list

Hope that's useful.

Comment by Shawnaa posted on 09 May 2015

i have a visit booked which i did online but i do not have a visiting order woll the prison let me in?

Comment by Carrie Barclay posted on 11 May 2015

Your identity will be checked on arrival to make sure you’re on the visitor list.

Comment by jessicca posted on 27 January 2015

What happens after you book the visit and its confirmed by email do you need the visiting order ?

Comment by Carrie Barclay posted on 29 January 2015

The Visiting Order (VO) number is generated by the booking system, it is included in your confirmation email and you will need this to change or cancel a booking.

However, if you're visiting a prison the guidance is that you only need your ID, not the VO number. If when you visit the prison you are asked for the VO number you should report this via the Contact Us link on the Prison Visits Booking form.

I hope that helps.

Comment by Ilysa Mcnally posted on 18 November 2014

How late in advance can I book e.g. book a visit today (Tuesday) for the Sunday coming???

Comment by Carrie Barclay posted on 19 November 2014

Hi Ilysa. Thanks for your question. A visit needs to be booked 3 working days in advance. So in this case, the visit request would have to be no later than Tuesday to allow for a visit on Sunday.

Comment by carole posted on 23 October 2014

How far in advance can you book visits

Comment by Carrie Barclay posted on 23 October 2014

Hi Carole. You can book up to 28 days in advance. Thanks for your question.

Comment by kimberly posted on 16 August 2015

does anyone know how to cancel a visit online?

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Styal Prison Information

• Accommodation: The prison provides multiple residential units with individual cells or shared accommodation for inmates. The cells are designed to meet the strict security requirements of a closed prison and are equipped with basic amenities.
• Education and Vocational Training: Styal Prison places a strong emphasis on education and vocational training. Inmates have access to a range of educational programs, including basic literacy and numeracy, as well as accredited courses. Vocational training opportunities are also available to develop employable skills and enhance prospects for successful reintegration into society.
• Work Opportunities: Inmates at Styal Prison may have access to work activities within the prison, such as maintenance, cleaning, kitchen, and other designated roles. These work activities aim to develop skills, promote discipline, and instill a sense of responsibility.
• Healthcare: Styal Prison has an on-site healthcare facility staffed with medical professionals who provide primary healthcare services to prisoners. Mental health support, substance abuse programs, and specialized medical care are also available.
• Family Contact: The prison recognizes the importance of maintaining family relationships and facilitates visits and contact with family members, subject to specific guidelines and regulations.
• Resettlement Support: Styal Prison offers pre-release planning and support to help inmates prepare for their eventual release. This may include assistance with accommodation, employment, and access to community-based support services.

Contact Information

Booking a visit to styal prison.

Unlimited Prison Phone Calls Package

• Valid Passport
• Valid Photographic
• Driving Licence (full or provisional)
• Citizen Card
• Senior Citizens Bus Pass Travel Card (issued by Scottish Government)
• Utility bill
• Council tax bill
• Benefit book
• Bank statement
• other letter from official source

• The weekly online and monthly printed national newspaper for prisoners and detainees

Search articles and comments

• Inside Time Reports
• 13th December 2014
• Female Closed Training , North West , Prison Visit

Prison information

Address:  HMP STYAL, Styal Road, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 4HR

Switchboard: 0300 060 6512 Managed by: HMPPS Region: Cheshire Category: Male & YOIs Link to:  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/styal-prison

Description

Styal is a prison and young offender institution (YOI) in Wilmslow, Cheshire, for women aged 18 and over.

Visit Booking: On-line

Use this online service to book a social visit to a prisoner in England or Wales you need the:

• prisoner number
• prisoner’s date of birth
• dates of birth for all visitors coming with you

The prisoner must add you to their visitor list before you can book a visit.

You’ll get an email confirming your visit. It takes 1 to 3 days.

ID: Every visit

Acceptable forms of ID

Search reports

IMB Reports

Prison Inspectorates Reports

Probation Service Reports

Prisons and Probations Ombudsman

Search the InsideTime library

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If you have any information that you would like to be included or see anything that needs updating, contact Gary Bultitude at  [email protected]

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HMP WINCHESTER

5 thoughts on “ hmp styal ”.

Hi.do u need to book a visit just to drop a prisoner some clothes off

Can i just turn up tomorrow and drop some clothes ECT for my partner? Without booking a visit..

I’ve booked a visit for 14/2/2016 and I’m not sure if it’s been accepted . Could you please send me a quick email to comfort please . Been ringing for two days and no ones picking phone up

What is the point of using acronyms such as VO and PVO on an ‘information’ page assuming the general population knows what they stand for?

Great info but nothing at all to tell you how to send postal orders in to prisoners, ie who is it made payable to and what other information is needed on the postal order ( name and number)

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Please select The Clink Restaurant you would like to dine at from the list in the dropdown box below.

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Once we receive your enquiry we will be able to confirm if your booking request has been successful.

Security Requirements

Visits to The Clink Restaurant at HMP Brixton must be pre-booked at least seven working days before arrival. Please note that our Thursday Gourmet nights and Sunday lunches are in high demand and often require a longer lead time than this. As the restaurant is located within a Category-C prison, security checks must be completed on all people visiting before a booking reservation can be confirmed. All visitors must be over 18. All diners must bring their photo ID (driving license or passport). Please note that if you are planning to bring a large party, only the organiser needs to make a booking request.

Once you have received your booking confirmation, we ask you to read our  security guidelines carefully before you arrive. You will be asked to pay a security deposit and submit guest information in advance of your booking. Please ensure you complete both of these steps at your earliest convenience or your booking may be cancelled due to high demand.

Please note that due to prison policy, we are unable to accept bookings from friends and family members of prisoners currently residing in HMP Brixton; any visit requests should go through the appropriate visits booking system.

As The Clink Restaurant at Styal is not located inside prison walls, you therefore do not need to bring ID and you can bring mobile phones etc. Once you have received your booking confirmation, we ask you to read our  security guidelines carefully before you arrive.

Opening Times

Lunch: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays Gourmet Night: Thursdays Afternoon Tea: Fridays (alternate) Sunday Lunch: Sundays Meeting Rooms: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays Closed Mondays, Saturdays and Bank Holidays

Reservations

Please note that for all afternoon tea and Christmas bookings we require full payment, and all other reservations are subject to a non-refundable £15 deposit per person to secure the booking. This £15 will be taken off the total cost of the bill on the day. If you have Virgin Experience vouchers or gift vouchers you are not required to pay a deposit.

The reservations team’s working hours are typically Monday–Friday from 9am–4pm. If you enquire outside of these hours, one of the team will respond to you on the next working day.

Lunch: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays Sunday Lunch: Sundays Closed Mondays and Bank Holidays

Please note that for all reservations of six persons or more you will be required to enter card details to secure your booking. If you have Virgin Experience vouchers or gift vouchers, please mention in the booking comments.

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Please visit POPS’ Facebook page for HMYOI Hindley  for all the latest information and updates.

The POPS’ Visitor Centre at HMYOI Hindley is small but perfectly formed and has a warm and friendly atmosphere. Support is available to families from POPS’ staff in the visitor centre who have strong working relationships with other local organisations including Barnardo’s, Gingerbread and APVU.

Themed family days take place throughout the year. We also have activities for pensioners in the local community inviting them to Christmas lunch and Jubilee parties and a newly introduced family forum.

HMYOI Hindley is a Young Offenders and Adult Male Category C establishment.

Recent Updates

• Warm Spaces 2024
• Neurodiversity and Disability Visits (Blue Visits)

Useful Information

The following resources may help to prepare you for your visit:

• 10 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
• Visitor Information Booklet This includes information on how to book a visit at HMP Hindley, travel directions, and other essential information.
• Dress Code for Visitors
• Prisoner Debt and Money
• Rising Costs Help Sheet – Wigan
• Prison Life Videos

Important Contact Information

Booking Line: 01942 663 492 / 234 Visitor Centre:  01942 663 187 Prison Switchboard:  01942 663 100

POPS’ Family Lead:  [email protected]

Visitor Centre Opening Times

Monday, Wednesday – Sunday 12.00pm – 5.00pm

Visiting Times:

Financial assistance with visiting.

If you qualify to receive help with your finances such as benefits, you may be able to recoup all or part of the cost of your travel expenses.

Safer Custody

If you have concerns about someone in prison please call 01942 663 294. This is a confidential 24 hour hotline. If no-one is available to take your call please leave a message and someone will return your call at the earliest opportunity.

Concerns may also be brought to the attention of POPS’ staff for follow up or online at the link below.

Last updated 15/05/2024.

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HMP Usk, Visits & getting there

Visits are held daily at the following times:

• Sun: 14:00 – 16:00
• Mon: 17:00-19:00
• Tue: 14: 00 – 16:00
• Wed: 14:30 – 16:00, 17:00-19:00
• Thur: 14:00 – 16:00
• Fri: 14:00 – 16:00, 17:00-19:00
• Sat: 14:00 – 16:00

You can book online at www.gov.uk/prison-visits . All you need is the name and date of birth of the person you are visiting , their prisoner number and details of the visitors. You can choose up to 3 possible dates and times. Prison booking staff will check what’s available and confirm your visit by email. If you’ve made an online visit booking request and haven’t received a confirmation email within 1-3 working days, email [email protected] or call on 01291 671 730 to pre book your visit. You can book visits by phone at this number.

HMP Usk doesn’t have a visitors centre, but as at all prisons you will be required to provide photo ID and proof of address before being allowed into the visits hall. You can’t take items such as mobile phones, cigarettes etc into the prison, leave these in the lockers provided. You will be searched before entering the priosn by the staff. You are allowed to take some loose change into the visits hall to but tea’s/coffee’s etc from a vending machine.

The nearest rail links are Abergavenny to the North, (15 miles) and Newport, Cwmbran or New Inn (Pontypool) to the South ( around 10 miles). Buses are not frequent. Click here Taxis phone numbers for the stations are 01633 271971 (Newport), 01495 760444, 01495 762505 , 01495 791840, 01495 757536, (Pontypool), 01873 854140 (Abergavenny)

The prison is close to the centre of Usk, if driving leave the M4 at Junction 24 signposted for Monmouth and M50 north. Take A449 Monmouth/M50 and after approx. 8 miles take turning for Usk. Continue into Usk – past Fire Station on left and approx. 300 yards take 2nd left turn into Twyn Square, (if you miss this – turn left immediately opposite Three Salmons Hotel by side of Barclays Bank and continue for approx 100 yards until the give way sign and One Stop Shop Supermarket on opposite corner – follow straight on for prison). On the Twyn square take 2nd exit signposted for Llantrisant, continue on this road for approx. 300 yards, sharp left turn by One Stop Shop Supermarket , prison situated on left some 200 yards distant.. There is free parking opposite prison.

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• Crime, justice and law
• Prisons and probation

Elmley Prison

Elmley is one of 3 prisons for men that form the Sheppey Cluster in Kent, the other two being HMP Standford Hill and HMP Swaleside.

Help us to improve this page. Give us your feedback in this 2-minute survey .

Book and plan your visit to Elmley

To visit someone in Elmley you must:

• be on that person’s visitor list
• book your visit in advance
• have the required ID with you when you go

At least one visitor must be 18 or older at every visit.

Prisoners on remand can have a visit every day, if there’s space. Once sentenced, visitors need a visiting order (VO) and will get 2 every 14 days. Prisoners with enhanced privileges will get 2 extra visits a month.

Contact Elmley if you have any questions about visiting.

Help with the cost of your visit

If you get certain benefits or have an NHS health certificate, you might be able to get help with the costs of your visit , including:

• travel to Elmley
• somewhere to stay overnight

How to book family and friends visits

You can book your visit online , by telephone or by email to [email protected] .

Telephone booking line: 03000 606 605 Available Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm Find out about call charges

For visits enquiries you can call, 01795 802195

Visiting times:

• Monday to Sunday: 2pm to 3:30pm

You can book in at the visitor office up to half an hour before your visiting time slot. The office is open 10am to 4pm.

How to book legal and professional visits

Face-to-face legal visits can only be booked by email to, [email protected] .

Legal and professional visiting times:

• Monday to Friday: 9am to 11:30am

How to book video legal visits

You can book legal video visits by telephone, 01795 802 373

Legal video session times (hourly slots):

• Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm

Getting to Elmley

Find Elmley on a map

When travelling to Elmley, avoid going via Elmley Nature Reserve.

If you are travelling via M2

• leave the motorway at junction five
• join the A249 towards Sheerness/Sheppey
• once over the Sheppey Crossing, follow signs towards Eastchurch and Leysdown
• at Eastchurch follow the local signs to HMP Elmley

The closest railway station is Sheerness. From there you can get a taxi or take the bus,

To plan your journey by public transport use:

• National Rail Enquiries
• Traveline for local bus times

There is a free visitors car park.

Entering Elmley

All visitors, aged 16 or older must prove their identity before entering Elmley Read the list of acceptable forms of ID when visiting a prison .

• all visitors will need to be given a pat-down search, including children
• you may also be sniffed by security dogs
• visitors must adhere to the prison dress code that applies, further details can be requested on your first visit
• there are strict controls on what you can take into Elmley. You will have to leave most of the things you have with you in a locker in the visitors’ centre or in your car
• call the booking line or 01795 802195 if you have any questions about visiting

Visiting facilities

The visitors centre is open from 11am to 4:30pm on weekdays and from 7:30am to 4:30pm on weekends.

There is an unsupervised children’s play area, a snack bar and disabled access to the prison.

Family days

Elmley run 12 family visits a year. Details on how these visits run can be found in the visitor centre or by asking in staff in the visits hall.

Keep in touch with someone at Elmley

There are several ways you can keep in touch with someone during their time at Elmley.

Secure video calls

To have a secure video call with someone in this prison you need to:

• Download the Prison Video app
• Create an account
• Register all visitors
• Add the prisoner to your contact list.

How to book a secure video call

Secure video calls at this prison can be requested by prisoners only.

You will receive a notification if a prisoner has requested a video call with you.

Read more about how it works

Phone calls

Prisoners have phones in their cells but can only make outgoing calls so they will always have to call you. They have to buy phone credits to do this. They can be used between 6am and 10:30pm.

They can phone anyone named on their list of friends and family. This list is checked by security when they first arrive so it may take a few days before they are able to call.

You can also exchange voicemails using the Prison Voicemail service .

Officers may listen to phone calls as a way of preventing crime and helping keep people safe.

You can send emails to someone in Elmley using the Email a Prisoner service .

You might also be able to attach photos and receive replies, depending on the rules at Elmley.

You can write at any time.

Include the person’s name and prisoner number on the envelope.

If you do not know their prisoner number, contact Elmley .

All post, apart from legal letters, will be opened and checked by officers.

Send money and gifts

You can use the free and fast online service to send money to someone in prison .

You can no longer send money by bank transfer, cheque, postal order or send cash by post.

If you cannot use the online service, you may be able to apply for an exemption - for example if you:

• are unable to use a computer, a smart phone or the internet
• do not have a debit card

This will allow you to send money by post.

Gifts and parcels

Books are the only items that can be sent into prison. Make sure to include the person’s name and prisoner number on the parcel. All parcels will be opened and checked by officers.

Friends and families of prisoners are permitted to send books directly to their loved ones, or can order books from approved retailers, which can source and send the books on to prisoners.

For the full list of approved retailers, you can read the HMPPS Incentives Policy, Annex F .

Contact Elmley for more information on what’s allowed.

Life at Elmley

Elmley is committed to providing a safe and educational environment where prisoners can learn new skills to help them on release.

Security and safeguarding

Every person at Elmley has a right to feel safe. The staff are responsible for their safeguarding and welfare at all times.

For further information about what to do when you are worried or concerned about someone in prison visit the Prisoners’ Families helpline website .

Arrival and first night

When someone first arrives at Elmley, they will be able to contact a family member by phone. This could be quite late in the evening, depending on the time they arrive.

They will get to speak to someone who will check how they’re feeling and ask about any immediate health and wellbeing needs.

Each prisoner who arrives at Elmley gets an induction that lasts about a week.

They will be issued with bedding, toiletries and an early days’ welfare pack.

They will also meet professionals who will help them with:

• health and wellbeing, including mental and sexual health
• any substance misuse issues, including drugs and alcohol
• personal development in custody and on release, including skills, education and training
• other support (sometimes called ‘interventions’), such as managing difficult emotions

Everyone also finds out about the rules, fire safety, and how things like calls and visits work.

Accommodation

There are 6 units that hold about 1,150 prisoners.

There are units for vulnerable prisoners, foreign nationals, first night prisoners, drug and alcohol rehabilitation and mixed units.

Education and work

At Elmley, all prisoners must work towards Level 2 English and maths. There are classroom assistants to help with learning.

Alongside this, foreign nationals must try to improve their English. There is ICT, City and Guilds construction certificates, Equality and Diversity qualifications and other industry-based learning.

‘In House Records’ is the first HM Prison record label to encourage prisoners to learn how to play, create, mix and manage music.

First-aid, diet, nutrition and personal training courses are offered in the gym. Prisoners can also train to be a ‘mentor’ so they can take on key peer worker roles. One of the units runs a community art project.

A careers advisor helps with application letters and CVs. Every 3 months, a selection of employers come to the prison to offer job vacancies, apprenticeships and training opportunities to prisoners that are almost ready for release.

Once accredited, the courses in forklift truck driving, streetworks and traffic management guarantee an interview through the Mainstream group .

Daily employment is available in gardening, environmental services, recycling, cleaning, laundry and kitchen work.

Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT) workers offer a wide range of courses to encourage prisoners to make a fresh start, such as victim awareness and empathy, violence reduction, managing worry, understanding triggers for re-offending, mindfulness, communication and financial skills and parenting.

Temporary release

Elmley does not offer release on temporary licence (ROTL) at the moment.

Organisations Elmley works with

Elmley works with The Forward Trust which offers many courses on health, well-being and motivation, as well as drug and alcohol treatment programmes.

There are relationship and ‘thinking’ programmes on offer to prisoners too, as well as help with resettlement issues like accommodation, banking, citizen ID cards, birth certificates and employment from Seetec .

Elmley also works with the charity Spurgeons which helps with family visiting days.

Support for family and friends

Family services at Elmley are provided by PACT.

To contact our head of family provision the Head of Reducing Reoffending at Elmley: [email protected] .

Support at Elmley

Visitor centre staff offer friendly advice and support to all families and can refer them on to other agencies, such as domestic abuse or debt management services.

They also help with applications for family proceedings and have access to Relate, who offer free parental counselling for a prisoner due for release, if he and his partner have children of school age.

Concerns, problems and complaints

In an emergency.

Call 01795 802000 if you think a prisoner is at immediate risk of harm. Ask for the Orderly Officer and explain that your concern is an emergency.

Problems and complaints

If you have a problem contact Elmley .

Inspection reports

HM Prison and Probation Service publishes action plans for Elmley in response to independent inspections.

Contact Elmley

Governor: Andy Davy

Telephone (24 hours): 01795 802 000 Fax: 01795 802 001 Find out about call charges

Email: [email protected]

HMP/YOI Elmley Church Road Eastchurch Sheerness Kent ME12 4DZ

Updated legal/professional and legal video visits information.

Secure video calls update - new phone provider.

Updated Governor

Updated visiting guidance based on 1 April COVID rule changes

Added link to new safer custody information under Security and safeguarding.

Updated visiting information: Reduced visit schedule and testing for visitors aged 12 and over.

Updated visiting information: Testing for visitors aged 12 and over.

Added link to information about testing for physical contact at visits.

New visiting times and booking information added.

Prison moved into National Stage 3 framework and is now preparing to open visits for family, friends and significant others. We will update this page with specific visiting information as soon as possible.

Updated visit info

Updated visiting information in line with new local restriction tiers.

Updated visiting information in line with new national restrictions in England.

Updated visiting information in line with coronavirus restrictions.

Added confirmation of secure video calls being made available at this prison.

Updated safer custody hotline details

added survey link

First published.

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