how long are prison visits uk

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• September 21, 2023 September 21, 2023

Examining the Duration and Rules for Prison Visits in the UK

Visitations play a vital role in maintaining ties between inmates and their loved ones while they serve out their sentences. But visits are administered under strict supervision and limitations. For those hoping to see friends or family inside, how long can they expect to spend together on a typical prison visit in the UK? In this comprehensive guide, we will examine the standard visitation duration along with the various regulations governing these cloely monitored encounters.

Overview of Visitation Rights

Prisoners in the UK are permitted to have regular visitors throughout their sentence, with some exceptions:

• Inmates on remand awaiting trial may have restrictions placed on visitations.
• Those segregated for behavioral issues may have visits temporarily suspended.
• Individuals banned under restraining orders cannot visit the inmate.

Barring such special circumstances, most prisoners can receive regular visitors who are family members or existing friends. Prisoners submit a list of approved visitors they wish to see.

Visits take place in a dedicated room under observation by guards. Physical contact like hugs or hand-holding is typically now allowed for security reasons. Conversations can be monitored to prevent suspicious activity.

Typical Visitation Duration

The length of a standard social visit session for an adult inmate to receive friends/family is:

• 1 hour  – This is the most common duration allocated. Sufficient time is given for meaningful conversation and connection. Some flexibility may be allowed such as combining two 1 hour slots consecutively.
• 30 minutes  – For young offenders under 18 or in certain high-security conditions, visits may be set at just 30 minutes per session.
• 2 hours  – Some facilities may permit sessions up to 2 hours for family events like a child’s birthday or graduation. Special occasions warrant more generous time.

So for adult prisoners in general population, one hour is the standard visit duration before parties must conclude their encounter and exist the secured visitation area.

Factors That May Limit Visitation Time

While one hour is the typical duration, certain factors can result in shortened visit times:

• Local staffing shortages that disrupt scheduling
• Security lockdowns or disciplinary issues with the inmate
• Visitor showing up late and missing available slots
• Non-family visitors such as friends or associates
• Newly incarcerated inmates still in intake processing phase
• History of contraband being passed during visits

Unless officially restricted for disciplinary reasons, most inmates eventually do work up to the standard one hour visitation allowance once settled into the routine at their assigned prison.

Number of Visits Allowed Per Week/Month

In addition to capping visit duration, prisons also limit the frequency, spread out to maintain security.

Typical allowance for number of visits per month:

• 2-3  – General population inmates are allowed 2-3 visits per month from their approved list.
• 1  – Higher risk category inmates may only receive 1 visit per month to discourage gang/criminal activity.
• 4  – Benchmark of good behavior can qualify prisoners for up to 4 visit sessions per month.

So for inmates exhibiting compliance and progress in rehabilitation, most UK prisons offer between 2 and 4 visits per month of 1 hour duration each.

Special Types of Visits

Beyond routine social visits from friends/family, some other unique visit types have their own duration rules:

• Legal visits  – No limit on duration or frequency. Solicitors can access clients when needed.
• Family days  – Special event annually or biannually with 5+ hour duration spent visiting.
• Overnight visits  – Low risk inmates allowed 1-2 day visit per year from spouse/family.
• Official/social services visits  – As needed for prisoner welfare and cooperation.

While regular visits operate under tight constraints, flexibility is offered for legal needs, rehabilitation, and maintaining family ties.

Visitor Qualifications and Approval Process

To maintain prison safety and prevent smuggling, visitors must pass screening:

• Existing relationship from prior to incarceration – family, spouse, close friends. No new acquaintances.
• Approval forms submitted and verified by staff. Criminal background checks conducted.
• No banned items carried in or worn by visitors per scanning and searches.
• Official ID cards or documentation required to confirm claimed identity and relationship.
• All visits pre-arranged by appointment following visitation request submission procedures.
• Children permitted only with guardian supervision.

The approval procedure often takes 4-6 weeks requiring patience. But this careful vetting of visitors is essential to preserving prison order.

Positive Impacts of Visitations

While highly regulated, visitations provide wide-ranging benefits:

• For inmates  – Maintains family bonds. Boosts morale and motivation. Incentive for good behavior. Crucial mental health support. Grounds prisoners in reality.
• For visitors  – Allows active role in inmate’s welfare. Eases reintegration later. Keeps relationship intact. Provides oversight and reduces worry.
• For prisons  – Improved inmate compliance and cooperation. Decreased disciplinary incidents and violence. Encourages participation in rehabilitation programs.

Despite limitations required for safety, visitations deliver advantages that extend far beyond the individuals directly participating in these scenic encounters.

Video Visitation Options

Some UK facilities offer video visitation as an alternative to in-person visits:

• Remote video visits  – Visitors at home can schedule and conduct monitored video calls with inmates. More convenient but less personal.
• On-site video terminals  – Stations inside the prison allow virtual visits when in-person isn’t possible.

Video visits enable more frequent communication opportunities for families separated by distance. But most still prefer in-person visits when permitted for the human connection.

COVID-19 Impacts on Prison Visitation

The coronavirus pandemic resulted in an extended suspension of in-person visitation given the health risks:

• From March 2020 onward, UK prisons banned in-person visits and restricted all access from outsiders.
• Exceptions were made only for essential medical staff and legal advisors with PPE precautions.
• Virtual visits became the temporary norm using online portals and secure video calling systems.

While vital for infection control, the long-term denial of in-person visits placed strain on inmates and families alike. Virtual visits helped fill the void but were an imperfect substitute for face-to-face interaction.

For UK inmates and their loved ones, precious visits are administered under tight constraints but remain essential lifelines. One hour is the standard duration for general population prisoner visits to balance meaningful engagement with security. The frequency is also capped at 2-4 visits monthly for well-behaved inmates. While restrictive, these reasonable limitations allow inmates to maintain bonds that improve welfare and incentive for rehabilitation. The vetting process ensures visitors are known relations without risk factors. By working within the stringent ground rules, inmates and families can safely uphold lifeline connections in the brief moments they share physically together.

FAQ About Prison Visits in the UK

How are visitors and inmates supervised during visits.

Guards observe visits from a distance. Conversations may be monitored. Non-contact rules are enforced, except some touching between parents and young children.

Can prisoners have conjugal visits with a spouse or partner?

No, conjugal visits are not normally permitted in UK prisons. The exception is 1-2 overnight family visits may be allowed annually in low security facilities.

What reasons can lead to an approved visitor being banned?

Threats of violence, repeatedly violating policies, attempting to smuggle contraband, disruptive behavior, intoxication, inappropriate attire, etc.

Are phone calls also monitored along with in-person visits?

Yes, phone conversations are subject to the same restrictions and monitoring as in-person visits to prevent criminal activity.

How has COVID impacted prison visitation rules?

The pandemic resulted in an extended suspension of normal in-person visits to protect inmates and staff from infection. Video and virtual visits became the temporary alternative.

Are ex-prisoners allowed to visit current inmates as mentors?

Sometimes, former inmates who have undergone rehabilitation can be approved for mentorship visits. But extensive screening for contraband risks occurs in such instances.

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Blog Government Digital Service

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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Visiting someone in prison

This page includes advice on how to book a prison visit, what to expect and how to get financial assistance for your visit.

How to book a visit

Which prison are they in, preparing for a visit, will i get searched, what happens during the visit, complaints about visits, financial assistance for visits.

You will need to book a visit for the person you’re going to see making sure you have their name, prison number and date of birth, this can be done through the Gov.uk website — https://www.gov.uk/prison-visits

You can also book visits by calling the prison directly.

If you are having difficulty booking a visit you can telephone the Prisoners’ Families Helpline  on 0808 808 2003 who will be able to give you advice about booking a visit. You will need to give them information about how long you have spent on the phone trying to book a visit.

If you don’t know where the person you want to visit is, you can email Prisoner Location Service who may be able to location your loved one — subject to conditions.

You should check that you know where you are going. You may want to arrive early, as there will be security to go through.

You will also need a photographic ID i.e. passport or driver’s licence for when you arrive at the prison.

You’ll be allowed to take some money with you to purchase some food and drinks from the prisons shop during the visit for you and the person you’re visiting. You can contact the prison to confirm the maximum amount you’re allowed to take to the visiting area.

You should be aware that you will not be able to hand property directly to the prison. If you would like to hand something in for the person you’re visiting, it would be useful to call the prison to ask if this is allowed to avoid disappointment.

Yes, your bags and pockets will be searched. You may also be given a rub down search and asked to open your mouth. All searches should be carried out in a polite and respectful way.

You will be allocated seats and you normally have to remain seated.

You can usually embrace at the beginning and end of the visit.

Officers will be present and may listen to your conversation.

You cannot usually smoke in the visits hall.

The rules for visiting should be clearly displayed in the prison. The visit can be refused or cut short if you break any of the prison visit rules. If you are a threat to prison security or are causing concern to other visitors, you may also find the visit is cut short or you are offered a closed visit.

Further information on visits this can be found below:

PSI 16/2011 Managing prison visits

Management of security at visits Policy Framework

Visitors should be treated professionally and with respect. If you feel you have been discriminated against or treated discourteously, you can write to the governor of the prison. The governor is expected to reply to you within 28 days. There is no formal complaints procedure for people visiting a prison.

More information on how to make a complaint and who to complain to should be displayed in the visits area of each prison.

You may be able to get help with the costs of visiting someone in prison. If you are a close relative, partner or the only visitor and have a low income, you should contact the Assisted Prison Visits Unit to see if you qualify for help.

More information and contact details can be found at https://www.gov.uk/help-with-prison-visits

Do you know the latest ID requirements for prison visits?

Updated 1 Mar 2024

In April 2021, His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) introduced changes to the type of identification (ID) that you will need to provide when you visit a loved one in prison. These changes have been made to help make prison visits safer and more secure for everyone. The changes apply to adult visitors over the age of 16 years.

As in-person prison visits start to reopen, we explain what you need to know about the updated ID requirements. 

You can also download the official HMPPS poster to give you an overview of the changes.

What are the new ID rules?

You will still need to bring one or more forms of identification with you to all your prison visits.

If you have photographic identification (ID with your name and picture on - for example, a passport or driving licence), then you will only need to show this one form of ID. 

If you do not have photographic identification, you will need to show two different forms of ID before you are allowed to visit. 

What type of photographic ID can I use?

You can use any one of the following documents:

• Your  passport
• An identity card from a European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) country.
• A UK  photocard driving licence
• EU or EEA driving licences
• A Northern Ireland Electoral identity card
• A United States passport card
• A proof of age card recognised under the  Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS)  with a unique reference number
• A UK biometric residence permit (BRP)

What if I don't have photographic ID? Can I use something else?

If you aren't able to provide one of the ID documents listed above, you will need to provide  two  different forms of ID.

One of these forms of ID must be:

• A Home Office travel document (convention travel document, stateless person's document, one-way document or a certificate of travel).
• An older person's bus pass.
• A  Freedom Pass .
• A proof of age card recognised under the Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS)  without a unique reference number.

In addition to one of the above documents, you will also need to provide one of the items from the following list:

• Your birth or adoption certificate.
• An education certificate from a regulated and recognised educational institution (such as an NVQ, SQA, GCSE, A Level or degree certificate)
• A rental or purchase agreement for a residential property (signed and dated)
• Your marriage or civil partnership certificate
• A bank, building society or credit union current account card (which has your name on it)

Any combination of the above documents should be accepted, but you will need one from the first list and one from the second list.

Example 1: You could provide your Freedom Pass and your marriage certificate. 

Example 2: You could provide your proof of age card and your building society current account card.

I have two documents from the first list, can I use both of those instead?

Unfortunately not. You must have one document from the first list and one document from the second list. If you cannot provide both of these forms of ID, then you may be refused entry to the prison.

What if I do not have the right ID? What if I don't have any ID?

All visitors to a prison, including legal visitors, need to provide one or more forms of identification before they will be allowed into the prison. 

In exceptional circumstances, if you do not have access to any of the ID listed above, you can ask permission to attend a visit in advance from the duty Governor at the prison. You will need to provide a reason why you do not have the appropriate ID. Each case will be reviewed individually.  

If you need ID urgently, you could consider  applying for a Citizen Card . An urgent application takes 1-2 working days and costs £35. Standard applications cost £18 and take up to 21 days to process.

Find out more

You can contact the  Prisoners’ Families Helpline for information, support and guidance about any aspect of the criminal justice system:

• Call 0808 808 2003 (9am - 8pm Monday to Friday and 10am - 3pm on weekends and bank holidays, exc. Christmas and Boxing Day)
• Email [email protected]
• Visit www.prisonersfamilies.org

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Guide to Booking Your First Prison Visit

Visiting a loved one in prison can be an emotionally-wrought experience, especially if this is your first time. It’s normal to feel nervous. Here is a comprehensive guide designed to help ease your concerns and answer your questions about booking your first prison visit in the UK:

The Basic Rules

Every prison in the UK has their own set of rules for visits. Generally, you are allowed a certain number of visits in a specified period.

Booking a Visit

You can’t just show up at the prison; you have to book your visitation in advance. The usual method for booking a visit is through the government’s official Prison Visits Booking website. You need to provide the prisoner’s name and prisoner number, and you would also have to provide your own personal details like your full name, contact number, and date of birth.

Visiting Order (VO)

Before visiting a prison, you need to receive a Visiting Order from the prisoner that you plan to visit. This rule, however, may vary depending on the prison’s individual visitation rules.

Identification

When you visit a prison, you’re required to provide a certain level of identification. This typically involves your passport or driving license and utility bills showing your current address. If you don’t provide the right ID, you may not be allowed to visit.

What You Can Bring

The rules about what you can bring into a prison are rigorous. You’re not expected to bring anything in, but if you do, it’s likely to be thoroughly searched.

Searching Process

When you enter a prison, you’ll be searched. This is an essential part of maintaining the safety and security of everyone involved.

• Physical Search: This involves a metal detector and possibly a pat down.
• Biometric Tests: These include fingerprint scans. Your biometric data gets destroyed after your visit.
• Drug Detection Dogs: You may also be screened by drug detection dogs.

What You Can Expect

During your time in the prison, you can expect to see your loved one in a communal area. Visits are typically supervised, though they try to give you some privacy. There might also be a limit to the physical contact you’re allowed with the prisoner.

Remember, prison visits are all about keeping connected with your loved one and offering them moral support. The rules might seem overwhelmingly strict, but they’re there to protect all parties involved. If you’ve got specific concerns or questions, do seek advice from the prison you’re planning to visit or a support network like the Prison Advice and Care Trust.

What is the cheapest way to call from Prison?

Is it cheaper to call a landline from prison.

As a new prisoner you are entitled to a visit as soon as you are sent to prison. In most prisons it is the job of the visitor to arrange this, and all prison have designated phone numbers through which this initial visit is set up. Prison set their own visiting times, and will usually be 2 or 3 weekday afternoons and Saturday and Sunday afternoons, look at the pages on your establishment to see when they are.

After this initial visit you will be entitled to 2 per month (called VOs), which rises by an additional 2 if you have enhanced status. (called PVOs). If you do not use all the visits in the month the VOs are carried over to the next month but the PVOs are lost. Some prisons give extra visits, refer to the individual prison pages for details

Visits are for a set time, usually 1 hour, but increase in length as you move up from Standard to Enhanced status. The visits take place in the visits hall of the prison, some of these halls are well decorated with provision of children’s play area, visitors café etc, and other are far more austere and unwelcoming. Your visitor, after booking the visit, will be given a time to attend the prison. It is worth getting to the prison in good time as it can be a lengthy process for a visitor to be processed through the system. You, as the prisoner, will be given a small paper slip which will usually be posted under your cell door, telling you when the visit is.

At the correct time you will be escorted, along with any other prisoners who have visits to the visitor’s area. ere you will be searched and then placed in a holding area unto summoned into the actual visit hall. It is likely that you will be given a brightly colour bib to wear as identification. When in the hall you will be given a chair/space number where you are expected to sit during the period of the visit. Your visitor will then be let into the hall and will join you on the other side of the table. You can give them a welcoming kiss but if there is too much physical contact the visit will be ended immediately and there could be restrictions on future visits. The visitor can buy you tea/coffee for the catering stand within reception but you can’t leave your seat and go with them to the counter.

All during the visit you will be watched by a number of prison officers. This is not intrusive, and they can’t overhear your conversation, but they are watching for suspicions behaviour or signs of undue tension. If the officers are unhappy about your, or your visitors behaviour they can end the visit at any time.

At the end of the visit your visitor will leave and you will then be subjected to another search, which could be a full strip search or may just be an airport style pat down, and you will be escorted back to you wing.

Your visitor’s are also subjected to searches both coming and going out of the visits hall. Many prison’s have drug dogs and these may be used and depending upon the circumstances your visitor may be given a full search. In any event the visitor will have to be able to prove their identity before the visit (passport, driving licence etc), and they are not allowed to take electronic equipment or mobile phones into the prison. They can bring in clothes and other items for you to be handed to you, but these rules differ from prison to prison.

Visits for your legal team are handled slightly differently. You will be informed of the visits in the same way but they are actually held in smaller private rooms. You are not subjected to the same level of scrutiny as when in family visits but you are monitored. There is no practical limit on the number of legal visits you have.

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Visit someone in prison

Visit the Scottish Prison Service website for information on visiting someone in prison, including:

• visiting times
• prison facilities, for example to check accessibility if you're disabled

You can also find out what will happen on the day you visit .

Help with prison visit costs

If you visit a family member, partner or someone who doesn't get other visitors you might be able to get help with prison visit costs.

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Are conjugal visits allowed in the UK? Prison rules explained

The generally recognised basis for permitting such visits in modern times is to preserve family bonds

• 14:01, 6 NOV 2018

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A conjugal visit is a scheduled period in which an inmate of a prison or jail is permitted to spend several hours or days in private with a visitor, usually their legal spouse.

The generally recognised basis for permitting such visits in modern times is to preserve family bonds and increase the chances of success for a prisoner's eventual return to life after release from prison.

They also provide an incentive to inmates to comply with the various day-to-day rules and regulations of the prison.

Neither the English , Welsh , Scottish , nor Northern Irish prison systems allow conjugal visits.

However, home visits, with a greater emphasis on building other links with the outside world to which the prisoner will be returned, are allowed.

These home visits are usually only granted to prisoners who have a few weeks to a few months remaining of a long sentence.

Furthermore, home visits are more likely to be granted if the prisoner is deemed to have a low risk of absconding (i.e. prisoners being held in open prisons have a better chance of being granted home visits than prisoner being held in closed conditions).

In the UK pressure exists to grant family visits and there is speculation that the law will face a serious challenge.

But a spokesperson for the Howard League for Penal Reform said the idea was "not particularly helpful".

She said: "Rather than having a wife or girlfriend come for the explicit purpose of having sex what you need is family days, in which sex can be a part.

"What's important is to preserve family ties during a prison term."

• Most Recent

Can my loved ones visit me in prison? Task

Your loved ones can visit you when  you’re  in prison.   This includes your partner and close family members.   

Your visitors will need to be over the age of 18 unless they are accompanied by an adult. The prison governor may allow people aged 16–18 years old to visit unaccompanied by an adult, as long as they have parental consent.  

If you have committed a sexual or violent crime, visitors under the age of 18 are not allowed.  

Prison has different rules for:  

• When and how often you can have visitors  
• The number of visitors allowed at the same time  

Your loved one s  will only be allowed to visit if  you’ve  added them to your visitor list , known as the visiting order or VO . The prison will contact your loved ones once they’re  on the list.   

How often can my loved ones visit?

Prison privileges  

When  you’re  in prison, you get different levels of benefits based on  how well you  behav e . This can include the  number of visits you can have.  

If your visitor lives a long way from the prison, they may be able to make their visit longer, but less often.   

Remand prisoner  

If you are waiting for your trial, or on remand, you are allowed three ,   one -hour visits a week.  

Convicted  prisoner  

If you are a convicted prisoner, you are allowed at least two ,   one -hour visits every  four  weeks.   

How many people can visit me at one time?

Usually a maximum of three adults  are allowed to  visit at any one time.   

The number of children can vary from prison to prison, but a child is classed as an adult for seating purposes at 10–12 years old.   

What happens during a visit?

This depends on your privileges or benefits  and your  overall well-being .  Visits can be used to reward good behaviour or to help with your well-being.  

Your privileges or benefits  may also  be affected by the  behaviour of your visitors .   

I f a visitor has tried to smuggle banned items in to the prison , you may be put on closed visits  for a length of time . This means there is a  glass  barrier between you and your visitors , and you’re not allowed any physical contact.   

However, y ou may also be allowed special visits.  This could mean you have the chance to do activities like sharing a meal together.   

Find out more about how to book a visit, the  available   facilities  and what happens on the day here

How do I book a visit?

Visits to most prisons can be booked online.  

If this service is not available, your loved one must  contact the prison to find out more .  

Help with the costs of visiting

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Israel-Hamas war latest: Three Israeli hostages killed during rescue operation, Hamas says

Israel's hostage rescue operation in Gaza yesterday has killed 274 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Hamas has also claimed three Israeli hostages were killed during the operation, which saw four captives freed and returned to their families.

Sunday 9 June 2024 16:32, UK

• Israel-Hamas war

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• Number of Palestinians killed during Israeli operation 'rises to 274'
• Four hostages rescued - what you need to know
• Three hostages killed during Israel's rescue operation - Hamas
• Paramedic describes 'horror movie' scenes after strikes
• 'Shame on you' - Israeli minister hits back at EU official
• Who are the rescued hostages?
• Analysis:  Hostages rescue will be cathartic for Israelis - but Netanyahu is under pressure and infuriating the US
• Live reporting by Jess Sharp and (earlier)  Josephine Franks  

The uncle of rescued hostage Almog Meir Jan has spoken to reporters today following his nephew's return. 

Aviram Meir praised Israeli forces for their efforts in bringing him home. 

"Yesterday, we had a very big surprise that Almog arrived in an incredible operation that the Israel Defence Forces did," he added. 

Almog was one of four hostages rescued from the Nuseirat area of Gaza. 

The Hamas-run health ministry has said 274 Palestinians were killed during the operation. 

The Israel Defence Forces has released some more details about yesterday's hostage rescue.  

During the mission, which has been named the Arnon Operation, the battalion combat paratrooper patrol led the hostages from vehicles while under fire, it said. 

The air force, fighters from the Sheldag unit and the navy also coordinated airstrikes and the use of fire throughout the mission, it added. 

The operation was named after Commander Arnon Zamora who was killed while trying to rescue the captives. 

"The fighters of Unit 669 and the Sheldag unit fought for the life of the late Commander Arnon Zamora from the moment of the collision until arriving at the hospital, where he died from his wounds," the IDF said. 

Three hostages were killed during Israel's rescue operation yesterday, the armed wing of Hamas has said. 

In a post on Telegram, the militant group said one of the captives killed held American citizenship. 

"We inform you that against these, your army killed three prisoners in the same camp, one of whom holds American citizenship," Hamas said. 

The group also shared a video warning other captives will not be released until Palestinian prisoners held in Israel are released. 

Four hostages were rescued during Israel's operation.

Three of the four hostages freed by Israeli forces yesterday spent the last month in captivity together, one of their uncles has said. 

Speaking after his nephew, Almog Meir Jan, returned home, Aviram Meir said the trio, made up of Almog, Andrey Kozlov and Shlomi Ziv, had made a "wonderful team". 

"They got in touch together and they supported each other and they are very good friends now," he said. 

"I thank them for the support." 

He said he was pleased to see 21-year-old Almog wasn't thin because it meant Hamas had allowed him to eat during his eight months of captivity. 

"We met a guy which we love, and we know is safe and sound.

"He's been in the Hamas captivity for the last eight months and we think that he's okay. We'll see it in the next few days, but he's okay."

The rescue of four Israeli hostages yesterday was the largest rescue operation since the war started. 

The first hostage, an IDF soldier, was rescued on 30 October. 

Then in February, two hostages taken from Kibbutz Nir Yizhak in the 7 October attacks were rescued from captivity in Rafah.

A total of seven hostages have been freed in IDF operations. 

Of the 250 hostages abducted on 7 October, about half were released in a week-long ceasefire in November. 

About 120 hostages remain in Gaza, with 43 pronounced dead. 

Survivors include about 15 women, two children under five and two men in their 80s.

A doctor working at the hospital closest to yesterday's strikes on Nuseirat refugee camp has described treating children in extreme shock. 

The Hamas-run government says 274 Palestinians were killed during the hostage rescue operation; the IDF acknowledges up to 100 deaths. 

Karin Huster from Doctors Without Borders, an international charity working in the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, said: "We had the gamut of war wounds, trauma wounds, from amputations to eviscerations to trauma, to TBIs [traumatic brain injuries], fractures, and obviously, big burns.

"Kids completely grey or white from the shock, burnt, screaming for their parents. 

"Many of them are not screaming because they are in shock."

The UK's Ministry of Defence has denied claims by Yemen's Houthis that a British destroyer was targeted with missiles.

The Houthis claim HMS Diamond was attacked in the Red Sea. 

In a statement, the rebel group said a strike on the ship was "accurate" but did not say whether it had caused damage.

The MoD has dismissed the reports, saying that the claims are false.

Two commercial vessels - identified as the Norderney and Tavvishi - were also said to have been targeted by the Houthis in the same attack. 

The group claimed a fire had broken out on the first ship as a result of the attack.

Medical staff at Sheba Hospital are helping the rescued hostages rebuild "the infrastructure of their life", according to a medic who works there. 

"A lot of them have lost friends and family," Dr Itai Pessach said.

"Things happened in these eight months that they weren't here."

He said none of the four hostages have serious physical injuries but it is likely to be days before they can be discharged.

The four rescued hostages are Noa Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov and Shlomi Ziv.

Israel has extended its controversial ban on Al Jazeera by 45 days after the cabinet agreed its broadcasts posed a threat to security.

The network's satellite and cable broadcasts and access to its websites will remain blocked, Israel's communications ministry said. 

Israeli authorities raided a Jerusalem hotel room used by Al Jazeera as its office on 5 May and said they were shutting the operation down for the duration of the Gaza war. 

A Tel Aviv court last week upheld an initial 35-day ban on Al Jazeera operations in Israel, imposed by the government on national security grounds, which ended on yesterday. 

During a Sunday blessing, the Pope has called for aid to reach Gaza.

"I encourage the international community to act urgently, with all means, to come to the aid of the people of Gaza, worn out by the war," he said.

"Humanitarian aid must be allowed to reach those in need, and no one can impede it."

He then backed proposals for a ceasefire, urging both Israel and Hamas to accept it "immediately for the sake of the Palestinians and Israelis".

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