book a prison visit at chelmsford

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Hmp-yoi chelmsford.

• Inside Time Reports
• 13th December 2014
• East of England , Male Local , Male YOI , Prison Visit

Prison information

Address: 200 Springfield Road Chelmsford Essex CM2 6LQ Switchboard: 01245 552000 Managed by: HMPPS Region: Hertfordshire, Essex and Sussex Category:  Male Cat. B and YOI Link to: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/chelmsford-prison

Description

Chelmsford is a category ‘B’ local and Young Offender Institution

Visit Booking: Online

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 Children’s Visits:  Children or Family Day once a month

Acceptable forms of ID

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HMP WINCHESTER

One thought on “ hmp-yoi chelmsford ”.

Following remarks on sex offenders. My son suffers from severe brain injury and epilepsy and has made slight offences since his accident. Should be in rehab not in prison. When he had a seizure the nurse him two paracetomol. My son needs specialist care. Agree with the remark about different levels of offending. Let the judicial system get updated on this as they take no notice of my sons brain injury.

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Chelmsford Prison Information

• Accommodation: The prison consists of multiple residential wings with individual cells for inmates. The cells are equipped with basic amenities, including beds, personal storage, and sanitation facilities.
• Healthcare: Chelmsford Prison has an on-site healthcare unit staffed with medical professionals who offer primary healthcare services to prisoners. Mental health support and substance abuse programs are also available.
• Education and Vocational Training: The prison offers educational programs to help inmates improve their literacy, numeracy, and other skills. Vocational training opportunities are provided to enhance employment prospects upon release.
• Workshops and Employment: Inmates have access to workshops where they can engage in various activities such as woodworking, metalwork, and other vocational programs. These activities aim to develop skills and potential employment options within the prison.
• Chaplaincy Services: Chelmsford Prison has chaplains representing different faiths who offer religious support and guidance to prisoners.
• Visitation: Family and friends of inmates are allowed to visit within specified visiting hours. The prison has established guidelines and procedures to ensure a safe and secure visiting environment.

Contact Information

Booking a visit to chelmsford prison.

Unlimited Prison Phone Calls Package

Chelsmford prison information.

• Monday to Thursday: midday to 4:15pm
• Saturday: 8am to 11.15am, midday to 4:15pm
• Sunday: midday to 4:15pm
• driving licence photo ID card
• citizenship photo card
• European Community identity card
• immigration/HM Customs photo card
• Birth or marriage certificate
• Recent utility bill (within last three months)
• Recent bank statement (within last three months)
• Paper driving licence
• Young person’s proof of age card
• Trade Union or National Students Union membership card
• Foreign identity or residents card, Medical card (not E111 photo card).
• be on that person’s visitor list
• book your visit 3 weeks in advance
• have the required ID with you when you go

Online Prison Visits Booking System

This free online prison visits request system for England and Wales runs along side the prison's own systems and will provide a quicker and easier way of booking visits in the future.

It can be used for public sector male, female and young offender establishments at category B and below (not the private or high security estate). Friends, families and others wishing to make a booking will need to fill in a number of details about the prisoner including their prisoner number, which they can obtain from the prisoner and the dates of birth of each of the visitors.

Applicants will get an email within 3 days confirming their visit time and date.

See gov.uk's prison visits page below for more information.

Our Partner

Prisoners’ Family Services

Positive family relationships are associated with reduced risk of reoffending. Lord Farmer Review 2017

Visiting a relative in prison can be extremely traumatic and confusing, especially for a child or young person.

This can involve a whole range of mixed emotions including sadness, fear, anxiety, anger, shame and embarrassment. These feelings are all very common and understandable, but can sometimes be difficult to cope with without expert support, advice and guidance.

As well as providing a reassuring welcome at our visitors’ centres, we offer a range of services for families.

Please note: Families and friends of prisoners who need advice or who have any questions can contact any of our visitor centre staff via email using the links below.

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

Visitors Centre, HMP Bure, Jaguar Drive, Badersfield, Norfolk, NR10 5GB

01603 326252

Email: [email protected]

Visiting Times

Please Note; HMP Visiting Times are subject to change, sometimes at short notice. Please refer to  https://www.gov.uk/prison-visits   or contact our visitor centre if unsure

Getting here

By bus:  A subsidised bus service is provided from the bus and train stations in Norwich to get you to HMP Bure. Please telephone 01603 326252 to book a seat.

By train:  The closest train station is Norwich, which is 14 miles from Bure Prison. From the train station, travel can be arranged to the station by bus (see above), or taxi.

By car : Use postcode NR10 5JL in your sat nav. This will take you to the end of the prison drive, where you will see signs to HMP Bure.

Parking is available at the prison, including spaces for Blue Badge holders.

Disabled access

The visitors centre is wheelchair accessible.

If you are concerned about someone in HMP Bure you can contact the Safer Custody Team on the number below.

01603 326012

HMP Chelmsford

For the latest information on the booking in process for visits please see here ..

The Ormiston Families team is based in a bright and welcoming visitors’ centre just outside the perimeter walls of the prison. We provide support, information and a personal welcome to help visitors access the available services.

How do I book a visit to HMP Chelmsford’s Visitors’ Centre?

All visitors to HMP Chelmsford must book their visit in advance. Visits can be booked online  here .

Visiting Centre Opening times

• Monday – Thursday: 12:30 – 16:15
• Saturday: 12:30 – 16:15
• Sunday: 12:30 – 16:15

Visits gate opens 13:30 – 14:00.

• Monday – Thursday: 14:15 – 15:45
• Saturday: 14:15 – 15:45
• Sunday: 14:15 – 15:45

You cannot arrive later than 14:15 on afternoon visits as you will NOT be permitted entry.

Remember to bring ID with you!

How do I get to HMP Chelmsford Visitors’ Centre?

Visitors’ Centre HMP Chelmsford 200 Springfield Road Chelmsford CM2 6LQ

You can get to HMP Chelmsford’s Visitors’ Centre by car or public transport.

There is disabled access to the centre and the prison. Please inform staff of any additional needs prior to arrival. You can contact the visitors’ centre on 01245 552452 or [email protected] .

By car There are two disabled parking bays available outside the prison entrance for visitors. These can only be used by visitors who have an official Blue Badge disabled parking permit.

For other visitors, the nearest public car park is Riverside Ice and Leisure on Victoria Road, a five-minute walk from the prison.

By public transport

Train : Direct trains from Liverpool Street arrive at Chelmsford train station. There are taxis at the station or it is a 15-minute walk.

Walk : 15-minute walk from the railway station, follow the signposts.

Bus : you can catch a number 54 or 56 to and from the prison to Chelmsford railway station.

Local taxis : Fairway 01245 355 555   Happicabs 01245 443 443   Taxi Bus 01245 350 350.

Frequently asked questions about visiting HMP Chelmsford Visitors’ Centre

What am I allowed to bring with me on visits? You will need to bring ID. Acceptable forms of ID for adults are : passport, driving licence, EC ID card, senior citizen public transport pass or citizen card.

Please see list of acceptable forms of identification here.

The prison does not accept letters as a form of ID including police, benefits, solicitor, etc. Student ID cards are also not an acceptable form of ID.

You are allowed to bring £20 per Adult (without Children) and £30 per adult (with children) IN COINS ONLY you can change money at the tea bar in the visitors centre.

Visitors Dress Code: All visitors must be appropriately dressed, the visits hall is a family friendly environment. It is not acceptable for visitors to show excessive flesh. There is to be no ripped clothing (ripped jeans). Skirts/dresses/shorts should be just above the knee or longer (no miniskirts or very short shorts). Upper garments should not be low cut and have no thin straps, males not to wear vest tops. No football tops/sports kits. No hooded tops or camouflaged clothing. Please note that you can only wear wedding or engagement rings and small studs inside the prison.

Please note:

• If you do not meet the dress code you will be refused entry.
• If you do not produce ID you will be refused entry.
• Anything else you bring with you will have to be stored in your locker until you leave.

What happens when I arrive at the Visitors’ Centre?

When you arrive at HMP Chelmsford, you will need to check in with our staff in the visitors’ centre, which is at the end of the main car park. Here you will be greeted by one of our volunteers, who will explain the procedure. Visitor centre staff will check your ID and sign you in for your visit.

Once checked in you can wait in the visitors’ centre until your number is called. Then you can make your way to the gate area.

All mobile phones and unauthorised items must be left in the visitors’ centre. There are secure lockers available for this with a £1 deposit.

Once inside the gate area, you will be asked again if you are carrying any unauthorised items. Before you are allowed through, a member of staff will search you. A sniffer dog will be there too. Once they know that you have not got anything unauthorised with you, you can enter the visits hall. You must then report to the Prison Officer at the desk.

What’s it like inside the visits hall?

Everyone is very friendly and helpful. There is a snacks bar providing hot and cold drinks and a variety of snacks and sweets. There is also a children’s play area, where activities are provided and the children can dip in and out of the area – but no food is allowed Although the area is staffed by volunteers, parents are responsible for their children at all times.

What if I feel worried about a prisoner?

Prison Service’ and Ormiston Families’ staff understand that prison can be a very difficult time, for both prisoners and their families. If you have any concerns about a prisoner at HMP Chelmsford, feel free to contact the Safer Custody team on 01245 552297. This is a confidential answer machine helpline for prisoners’ families and friends to make the prison aware of any concerns regarding bullying, intimidation, suicide or self-harm. When leaving a message be sure to give the name and prison number of the person you are concerned about. These messages are checked daily.  Please note:  if your concerns are urgent, please speak to staff in the visitor’s centre or call the main switchboard on 01245 552 000.

Our services

• Children’s visits – special visits for fathers/step fathers or brothers (for young offenders who lived at home before going into prison) to spend valuable time playing and talking to their children (or brothers and sisters in the case of young offenders). One adult per family can accompany the children. Children must be 16 years old and under. The prisoner needs to apply for these visits.
• Family days – Are special visits for enhanced prisoners, these are designed for the whole family to help maintain family ties and sustain good relationships, the prisoner needs to apply for these visits.
• Play area – an area for children to play in whilst on their visit.

Concerns for a prisoner’s social care needs

If you have any concerns around the social care needs of someone in HMP Chelmsford, referrals can be made to Full Circle at [email protected] . A prisoner may be eligible for care act support if they have a physical disability, mental health need or a learning disability which means they need support with any of the following tasks; they need help getting washed, dressed, out of bed or using the toilet, they need help eating or collecting meals, or they are unable to get around the prison or in and out of their cell.

HMP Whitemoor

The Ormiston Families team is based at HMP Whitemoor Visitors’ Centre. We provide support, information and a personal welcome to help visitors access available services.

How do I book a visit to HMP Whitemoor Visitors’ Centre?

All visitors to HMP Whitemoor must book their visit in advance. Visits can be booked online here  or by calling 01354 602 800. This booking line is open 10:00 – 11:00 and 14:00 – 15:00 Monday to Friday.

Visiting times

• Social visits (A, B & C wings) Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday: 14:00 – 16:00
• Social visits (Fens Unit) Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday: 14:00 – 16:00
• Social visits (F wing) Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday: 14:00 – 16:00

The visitors’ centre opens from 12:15.

Remember to bring ID!

How do I get to HMP Whitemoor Visitors’ Centre?

Visitors’ Centre HMP Whitemoor Longhill Road March Cambridgeshire PE15 0PR

You can get to the visitors’ centre by car or public transport.

You can contact the visitors’ centre on 01354 602 478 or [email protected] .

By car The visitors’ car park is situated opposite the main entrance.

Train : March railway station is approximately 1½ miles from Whitemoor. The nearest mainline station is Peterborough, with frequent connections to March. Taxis are available from March railway station.

Bus : The main bus station at Peterborough has frequent connections to March. Unfortunately, no buses stop at the prison and it is not on a bus route for drop off. Once you arrive by bus into March town centre then you would need to get a taxi to get to the prison.

Frequently asked questions about visiting HMP Whitemoor Visitors’ Centre

What am I allowed to bring with me on visits?

You will need to bring ID. Acceptable forms of ID for adults are : passport, driving licence, EC ID card, senior citizen public transport pass or citizen card.

If you cannot provide one of the above then you will need TWO different items from the following list:

• Birth/marriage certificate (showing current name)
• Bank statement (dated within the last three months)
• Young person’s proof of age card
• Utility bills (dates within the last six months)
• Medical card
• Paper driving licence.

Visitors who are under 18 years old need to bring either a birth certificate, red health book or a passport for ID.

• Anything else you bring with you will have to be stored in your locker until you leave (a £1 deposit is needed for the locker key).

When you arrive at HMP Whitemoor, you will need to check in with Ormiston Families’ staff in the visitors’ centre.  We will give you a friendly welcome and talk you through what to expect.

Once checked in you will be called after 1.15 to enrolments where they will check ID and take a thumbprint and a photo if it is your first visit or your appearance has changed. When the prison are ready you will be sent over in small groups for the searching process. All mobile phones and unauthorised articles must be left in our secure lockers.

Once inside the gate area, you will be asked again if you are carrying any unauthorised items. Before you are allowed through, a member of staff will search you. Once they know that you have not got anything unauthorised with you, you will be allowed across to the visits hall and given a table number. Sniffer dogs will also be present outside the visits hall.

Everyone is very friendly and helpful. There is a snack bar providing hot and cold drinks and a variety of snacks and sweets. There is also a play area for the children.

Please remember that your children are your responsibility at all times inside the prison and the visitors centre.

Ormiston Families’ staff understand that prison can be a very difficult time, for both prisoners and their families. If you have any concerns about a prisoner at HMP Whitemoor, feel free to contact the Safer Custody team on 0800 496 2849 or speak to a member of staff at the visitors’ centre.

• Family visits – available on the first Saturday of every month with activities provided by play workers.
• Family liaison – information, guidance and support on a wide range of matters affecting prisoners’ families.

HMP Hollesley Bay

The Ormiston Families team is based at HMP Hollesley Bay. We provide support, information and a personal welcome to help visitors access available services.

How do I book a visit?

All visitors to HMP Hollesley Bay must book their visit in advance. Visits can be booked online here , or by calling the visits booking line on 01394 412 400.

• Saturday: 14:00 -15:45
• Sunday: 14:00 -15:45

How do I get to HMP Hollesley Bay Visitors’ Centre?

Visitors’ Centre HMP Hollesley Bay Hollesley Bay Colony Rectory Road, Hollesley Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 3JW

You can get to HMP Hollesley Bay’s Visitors’ Centre by car, bus or train.

Train : Ipswich is the nearest main line station. It is 17 miles from Hollesley Bay. You can catch connecting trains to Melton Station or Woodbridge Station from Ipswich.

Bus : Ipswich is the nearest main line station. It is 17 miles from Hollesley Bay. You can catch

Frequently asked questions about visiting HMP Hollesley Bay Visitors’ Centre

How should I dress for visits to the Visitors’ Centre?

Please do not wear football, team or blue striped shirts. Females should not wear revealing clothing or entrance may be denied. Ripped jeans are also banned.

When you arrive at HMP Hollesley Bay, you will need to check in with Ormiston Families’ staff in the visitors’ centre.  We will give you a friendly welcome and talk you through what to expect.

Once checked in you will be given a coloured number card. When that number is called, you can swap the coloured card for a white card and make your way to the prison. All mobile phones and unauthorised items must be left in our secure lockers.

Once inside the prison there are stairs to the visits hall. A stair lift is available for people who cannot use the stairs, but needs to be booked in advance. Before you are allowed to enter the visits hall, you will be asked again if you are carrying any unauthorised items. A member of staff will search you. A sniffer dog will be there too. Once they know that you have not got anything unauthorised with you, you will be given your table number. You can then enter the visits hall and go to the table with the number on that you have been given.

Everyone is very friendly and helpful. There is a snack bar providing hot and cold drinks and a variety of hot food, snacks and sweets. There is also a play area where children can spend time with Ormiston Families’ play workers. Activities are provided and the children can dip in and out of the area – but no food is allowed.

Prison Service’ and Ormiston Families’ staff understand that prison can be a very difficult time, for both prisoners and their families. If you have any concerns about a prisoner at HMP Littlehey, feel free to contact the Safer Custody team on 01234 373000 or speak to a member of staff at the visitors’ centre.

• Children’s visits- special visits for children on Wednesday mornings from 1:.00 until 12:00. These are booked by the prisoner and are for his children/grandchildren/ stepchildren under 16 years of age.
• Stories With Dad – prisoner dads can apply to record a story on to disc for their child(ren). This is open to dads, stepdads and granddads.
• Parenting courses- for dads or stepdads in prison.
• Craft box activity – for dads to send home a craft item in a box to his children.
• Family liaison- information, guidance and support on a wide range of matters affecting prisoners’ families.

HMP Norwich

Visitors Centre, HMP Norwich, Knox Road, Norwich, NR1 4LU

01603 702301

Email: [email protected]

Please Note; HMP Visiting Times are subject to change, sometimes at short notice. Please refer to  https://www.gov.uk/prison-visits  or contact our visitor centre if unsure.

There is a cut off time for visitors at which point no visitor will be allowed to enter the prison. All visitors must have been searched and sat down in the hall by 10:30am in the mornings and by 2:30pm in the afternoons. Therefore, it is important to arrive at the Visitors Centre in good time for your visit and at the very latest 15 minutes after the visit start time.

The Visitors Centre opens one hour before every visit.

Booking Your Visit

You can visit someone either face-to-face or virtually via the Prison Video App.

All visits must be booked in advance.

Bookings can be made in one of three ways:

• Call the Booking Line on 01603 708790
• Email the Booking Line on [email protected]
• Visit gov.uk/prison-visits to select the dates you wish to visit (face-to-face only).

The Booking Line is open:

Tuesday-Thursday      10:00–11:00          14:00–15:00

Fridays                        14:00–15:00.

All residents of HMP Norwich are allowed to receive three physical visits per calendar month. Enhanced prisoners are entitled to four physical visits per calendar month.

In addition, visitors can book more than one video visit per month, but only one at a time.

For all visits, whether virtual or in person, all visitors must be on the residents contact list.

Important Information about Booking Online (face-to-face only):

You will initially receive an acknowledgement email, however, you will be sent a further e-mail confirmation with the date and time of your visit.  Please allow at least 3 working days for this confirmation.  Do not assume your visit has been booked until you receive it and please be able to show the confirmation email when you arrive for your visit.

Take note if anyone has been UNAPPROVED to visit. Unapproved visitors will not be allowed in for a visit.

Getting Here

By bus:  The No. 23/23a and 24/24a buses run regularly between the prison and Norwich bus station, Norwich train station and the city centre. Ask for the prison or Knox road.

By train:  Regular trains to and from London Liverpool Street, Ipswich, Cambridge, Great Yarmouth, Sheringham and Lowestoft. From the train station, it takes approximately 20 minutes to walk to the prison. The walk is uphill. Alternatively, you can take a bus or taxi from the train station.

By car:  From the A11, join the A47 towards Great Yarmouth. Take the exit marked A1042 towards Norwich N & E & Thorpe St Andrew. The prison is signposted from inner ring road and is situated off Plumstead Road.

Free parking is available at the prison. Please park in designated areas only.

Identification

All visitors aged 16 years old or over must bring identification on every visit. Photographs of identification cannot be accepted.

If you cannot meet the requirements for identification, authorisation may be sought to a Governor in advance of the visit. Any decision made will be considered on an individual basis. If you have any questions about ID, please contact the Visitors Centre on 01603 702301 or [email protected]

Refreshments

Ormiston Families deliver the refreshments for visits on behalf of HMP Norwich. Visitors order the refreshments for their visit at the Visitors Centre before their visit. Please note that there is a limit of £20 per visit and we can only accept cash at the Visitors Centre. We have no facility to accept payment by card.

HMP Norwich has a family-friendly dress code for visitors to help promote a safe and decent environment for everyone. Please note that part of that dress code involves no ripped clothing including ripped jeans, no smart watches, no short skirts without leggings and no hoodies. Visitors can wear coats and jackets through the search areas however all visitors will be obliged to hang their coats outside the visits halls so please dress appropriately for that as the temperature in the visits hall cannot be guaranteed.

Please see the attached document for the dress code in full.

If you have any questions about dress code, please contact the Visitors Centre on 01603 702301 or [email protected]

Children’s Visits

Ormiston Families run special Children’s Visits at HMP Norwich that take place in a specially designed play room. These visits are additional to the monthly visit entitlement.

Baby Bonding Visits

These visits allow families a chance to spend some precious, quality time with their new baby within the first three months of baby’s birth.

Family Days

Family Days take place at HMP Norwich in school holidays. They allow families more time together to play games and take part in activities.

StoryBook Dads

There is the opportunity for dads to make a recording of themselves reading their child’s favourite book. The child receives the DVD of their dad which they can watch again and again.

Please ask a member of Ormiston Families staff for more details about Children’s Visits, Baby Bonding Visits, Family Days and StoryBook Dads. Alternatively you can call 01603 702301 or email [email protected]

Safer Custody

If you are concerned about someone in HMP Norwich you can contact the Safer Custody Team on 01603 706387 or email [email protected]

HMP Wayland

Visitors Centre, HMP Wayland, Griston, Thetford, Norfolk, IP25 6RL

01953 804152

Email: [email protected]

By train:  The nearest railway station is Thetford. From the station you will need to take a taxi to reach the prison, this can be booked at the station.

By car : The prison is off the A1075, around 3 miles from the south of Watton, and is signposted. The M11 and A11 trunk roads are the main routes which provide the best connection with most parts of the country. Leave the A11 at Thetford and take the A1075 towards Watton.

Flexi Bus : This can be booked from the station to Wayland (& return journey) on 0300 123 1145. It leaves Thetford station at 1.00pm & leaves Wayland to return at 4.15pm, the cost is £2.00 each way.

Free parking is available at the prison, including space for Blue Badge holders.

If you are concerned about someone in HMP Wayland you can contact the Safer Custody Team on the number below.

01953 804 000

HMP Warren Hill

The Ormiston Families team is based at HMP Warren Hill. We provide support, information and a personal welcome to help visitors access available services.

How do I book a visit to HMP Warren Hill Visitors’ Centre?

All visitors to HMP Warren Hill must book their visit in advance. Visits can be booked online here or by calling 01394 633 633. This booking line is open Monday – Thursday 09:00 – 12:00.

• Friday-Sunday: 14:00 – 16:00

How do I get to HMP Warren Hill Visitors’ Centre?

HMP Warren Hill Grove Road Hollesley Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 3BD

HMP Warren Hill main phone line :  01394 633 400

Train : Ipswich is the nearest main line station. It is 17 miles from Warren Hill. Catch connecting trains to Melton Station from Ipswich.

Bus : bus routes are very limited and there is no service on a Sunday.

Frequently asked questions about visiting HMP Warren Hill Visitors’ Centre

Please see list of acceptable forms of identification here. .

When you arrive you will need to check in with staff at the visitors’ centre. We will give you a friendly welcome and talk you through what to expect.

Once checked in, you will be given a coloured number card and when called, you can swap that card for a white card and make your way to the gate area. All mobile phones and unauthorised items must be left in our secure lockers.

Once inside the gate area you will be asked again if you are carrying any unauthorised items. Before you are allowed through, a member of staff will search you. A sniffer dog will be there too. Once they know that you have not got anything unauthorised with you, you will be given your table number. You  can then enter the visits hall and go to the table with the number on that you have been given.

Everyone is very friendly and helpful. There is a snack bar providing hot and cold drinks and a variety of snacks and sweets.

There is also a play area where children can spend time with Ormiston Families’ play workers. Activities are provided and the children can dip in and out of the area – but no food is allowed.

Ormiston Families’ staff understand that prison can be a very difficult time, for both prisoners and their families. If you have any concerns about a prisoner at HMP Warren Hill, feel free to contact the Safer Custody team on 01394 633426 or speak to a member of staff at the visitors’ centre or in the visits hall.

HMP Highpoint

The Ormiston Families team is based at HMP Highpoint. We provide support, information and a personal welcome to help visitors access available services.

How do I book a visit to HMP Highpoint Visitors’ Centre?

All visitors to HMP Highpoint must book their visit in advance. Visits can be booked online here or by calling 01440 743134.

• Monday: 14:00 – 16:00
• Friday: 14:30 – 16:30
• Saturday: 14:00-16:00
• Sunday: 09:00 – 11:00 and 14:00 – 16:00

How do I get to HMP Highpoint Visitors’ Centre?

HMP Highpoint (South) South4 HMP Highpoint, Stradishall Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 9YG

There is disabled access to the centre and the prison. Please inform staff of any additional needs prior to arrival. You can contact the visitors’ centre on 01440 743272.

Train : the nearest railway station is in Newmarket. Connecting Communities  can assist with travel to HMP Highpoint, collecting you from Newmarket railway station. The service operates Monday to Saturday but must be pre-booked. Booking line open Monday to Friday 08:00 until 16:00.  Call 01638 664304.

Frequently asked questions about visiting HMP Highpoint Visitors’ Centre

When you arrive at HMP Highpoint, you will need to check in with Ormiston Families’ staff in the visitors’ centre.  We will give you a friendly welcome and talk you through what to expect.

Once checked in you will be given a number card and ask to wait until you are called.  When you are called, you will come to the desk with your ID then be issued with a locker key.

Once inside the gate area,  you will be asked again if you are carrying any unauthorised items. Before you are allowed through, a member of staff will search you. A sniffer dog will be there too. Once they know that you have not got anything unauthorised with you, you will be given your table number. You  can then enter the visits hall and go to the table with the number on that you have been given.

Ormiston Families’ staff understand that prison can be a very difficult time, for both prisoners and their families. If you have any concerns about a prisoner at HMP Highpoint, feel free to contact the Safer Custody team on 0144 074 3004 or speak to a member of staff at the visitors’ centre or in the visits hall.

• All day family visits – we hold all day family visits once a month on a Wednesday. A list of the current dates is available in the visitors’ centre. These visits are booked by the prisoners.
• Children’s visits- once a month on a Tuesday for HMP Highpoint South.
• Stories With Dad – prisoner dads can apply to record a story on to disc for their child(ren). This is open to dads, step-dads and granddads. They are recorded on the North site and sent out for your children to enjoy at home.
• Family liaison– information, guidance and support on a wide range of matters affecting prisoners’ families offered to prisoners.
• Play area – Ormiston Families staff a fully equipped play area on the South site, which is open for every visit for your children to play.

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Register of Charities - The Charity Commission CHELMSFORD PRISON VISITORS CENTRE

Activities - how the charity spends its money.

For visitors to prisoners in Chelmsford Prison: Provides a safe and secure waiting area, offering light refreshments, a play area for children and storage lockers for valuables Ensures visitors are aware of prison rules Checks that visitors have correct personal identification and are biometrically screened Provides volunteers who can help calm and inform anxious visitors

Income and expenditure

Data for financial year ending 31 March 2010

Fundraising

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The Good Book of Prisons

What's good in prisons across England & Wales

SOs & CMs said the resilience of the staff team ‘shone through’, and praised the staff group for being cohesive and mutually supportive. They also praised staffs’ skills at de-escalating challenging situations. Staff-prisoner relationships were described as ‘good’. They also described a good working relationship with the local CRC, who were praised for ensuring sentence plans were on time. The Dep also commended staff-prisoner relationships, and noted the good facilities including the gym, football pitch, and workshops. There were positive words, too, for the fact that staff ‘wanted to learn’, and for Chelmsford’s ‘welcoming’ reception, and the ‘good first impression’ it gave.

The Officers and OSGs also noted the cohesiveness of staff. They praised SOs & CMs as ‘approachable’ and ‘supportive’, and for their role in ‘bringing the team together’. They felt that the commitment and flexibility of managers and staff had helped maintain a regime in challenging times. They said staff-prisoner relations were ‘good’ and said staff were ‘very approachable’. They praised the Keywork scheme which was being introduced and felt it had helped improve relationships and safety.

The prisoners described a strong sense of safety in the jail, and said that violence levels were ‘quite low’ when compared to other jails. They highlighted staff-prisoner relationships as ‘good’, and said staff were ‘helpful’. They valued the range of mentors and peer support workers, including Listeners, and the wing rep scheme which they felt was well supported by staff and management. They had high praise for the ‘great’ gym and sporting facilities, including the football field. They were also positive about in-cell phones, as well as the personal development courses, and the courses tailored to short-term prisoners’ needs – and they too felt Keywork was having a significant positive impact.

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Butler Trust

www.butlertrust.org.uk

[email protected]

020 8688 6062

Chelmsford Prison

Tel: 01245 552000  –  200 Springfield Road, Chelmsford, Essex CM2 6LQ

HMP Chelmsford started life as a county jail back in 1830. It is now a category B prison, holding both adult males and young offenders. Two new blocks were constructed in 1996 to try to address the problem of over-crowding, and in 2013, it was announced that certain older parts of the prison would be closed. Now, the prison has the capacity to hold 745 inmates. If you’d like to find out how to get to HMP Chelmsford.

Tel: 01245 552000

Operational capacity: 745

200 Springfield Road, Chelmsford, Essex CM2 6LQ

Prison Phone packages reduce the cost of calls from HMP Chelmsford by around 75% helping inmates stretch their PINS phone credit further.

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Here’s some facts about Chelmsford Prison

HMP Chelmsford is a category B men’s prison and young offenders institution in Chelmsford, Essex. Opened in 1830, the prison holds up to 745 mainly adult males.

According to the IMB , bullying, violence and self-harm have increased at the prison due to staff shortages.

The prison has recently been adding dogs to the security protocol, to increase security measures after a large upscaling in violence.

Children of imprisoned fathers in HMP/YOI Chelmsford benefit from a unique library plan which hands out world book day books.

The older part of the establishment has four wings, A, B, C and D, running off a central hub. The segregation unit is on A wing and vulnerable prisoners have separate accommodation on D wing. The newer part of the prison has a 12-bed, 24-hour health care unit (known as the extra care unit). E wing provides the integrated drug treatment system. F wing is the first night and induction unit and G wing holds a mixed population, including older prisoners.

To view the latest inspection report, click here .

Visiting hours are between 14:15 – 16:00 (Mon-Thu), 9:30 – 11:00 & 14:30 – 15:45 (Sat), and 14:30 – 15:45 (Sun).

In 1999, the Chief Inspector of Prisons found HMP Chelmsford to be unacceptably dirty, and also revealed that officers were failing to respond to cell alarms. A year later, a further report said conditions were ‘poor and cramped’.

The Sex Pistols played outside Chelmsford Prison on the 30th July 1976.

Alfred Hinds was arrested, sent here, and escaped less than a year later .

Prison Phone offers phone tariffs that reduce the costs of calls from this prison by up to 75%! This enables prisoners to get the support and love that they are missing from home, while reducing costs for the inmate. Find out more below.

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• Crime, justice and the law
• Prisons and probation

Staying in touch with someone in prison

Visiting someone in prison.

You can make an online request to visit someone in prison in most cases.

You can only visit a prisoner if they’ve added you to their visitor list. The prison will contact you once you’re on this list.

Get help with the cost of visiting someone

You might be able to get help paying for a prison visit , for example travel costs, if you’re receiving certain benefits.

How often you can visit someone in prison

A convicted prisoner is usually allowed at least two 1-hour visits every 4 weeks.

A prisoner on remand (waiting for their trial) is allowed three 1-hour visits a week.

You can find out more about the exact rules on visits on the prison information page of the prison you’re visiting.

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General Details, HMP & YOI Chelmsford

HMP/YOI Chelmsford was built in the 1830s as a county gaol, close to the centre of Chelmsford. Two new residential units were opened in 1996 (E and F wings) to relieve overcrowding, and a third unit (G wing) was opened in 2006. It serves courts in Essex, taking men whose homes are mainly in the Essex area. It holds those who are sentenced, on remand or on trial. It holds adults, some young adults and also foreign national prisoners.

Accommodation

The oldest part of the establishment houses four wings, A, B, C and D, off a central hub with E F and G being opened more recently.

• A wing,  includes the segregation unit
• B wing, induction & general population
• C wing, general population
• D wing, general population
• E wing, the integrated drug treatment unit
• F wing, general population
• G wing, houses vulnerable &  enhanced prisoners

The newer part of the prison has a 12-bed, 24-hour health care unit;

Return to Chelmsford

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We can introduce you to  experienced  lawyers can help you with parole,  probation,  immigration, adjudications, visits and any other complaints  and disputes you have with the Prison Service.

The solicitors are all experts on how the Prison Service/Criminal Law  system works and will be able to provide to you the necessary advice and support to ensure you or your loved ones are treated fairly. These lawyers are "small enough to care about you, but big enough to fight for you"

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Prisons · Essex

Overcrowding.

Certified Normal Accommodation (CNA): 518

Population: 703

Chelmsford is a category B local prison and Young Offenders Institution in Essex. It opened as a county gaol in 1830 and took on many functions before adopting its current dual role in 1987.

Read Chelmsford’s latest inspection report here.

About this information

Certified Normal Accommodation (CNA) is the prison service’s own measure of how many prisoners can be held in decent and safe accommodation. Any occupancy above CNA means that the prison in question is overcrowded.

Prisons in England and Wales fall into four separate security categories. Some prisons can operate under more than one category.

Category A : Category A prisons are high security prisons, holding those individuals considered the most threatening to the public should they escape. Category A prisons should not be overcrowded, given the high levels of security required.

Category B: Category B prisons, or local prisons, are the largest category of prison. They tend to hold un-sentenced prisoners, prisoners on remand awaiting trial, short-sentenced prisoners or those newly sentenced and awaiting transfer to another prison category. Category B prisons tend to be the most overcrowded, with a constantly churning population.

Category C: Category C prisons are sometimes called ‘training prisons’. They are meant to offer education and training to prisoners and the vast majority of prisoners on longer sentences will spend time in Category C accommodation. Historically not overcrowded, we now see more and more Category C prisons running overcrowded regimes.

Category D: Category D prisons offer open conditions and house those who can be reasonably trusted not to try to escape. Prisoners in Category D prisons will be given Release On Temporary Licence (ROTL) to work in the community or go on home leave, usually returning to the prison in the early evening. The majority of Category D prisoners will be towards the end of their sentence, and their period in open conditions is preparing them for their eventual release. Category D prisons tend not to be overcrowded.

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• overcrowding
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Photos show glimpse inside Chelmsford prison where criminals are kept under some of the tightest security

Former football stars Tony Adams and Ian Wright have both spent time at HMP Chelmsford

• 04:00, 1 APR 2023

Thousands of people will have walked past HMP Chelmsford in the heart of the city centre but, fortunately, only a small minority end up spending time inside. The all-male prison hosts hundreds of people inside and for many people there is a sense of mystery behind what life is truly like behind it's large brick walls and gates.

HMP Chelmsford, on Springfield Road in the city, is Essex's only prison and is classified as a Category B site, the second highest level. This means it will house prisoners that are taken directly from court in the local area (sentenced or on remand), and can also act as a training prison for holding long-term and high-security prisoners.

The site has become relatively well-known in the local area, however. Former Arsenal footballers Ian Wright and Tony Adams are both notable ex-inmates, whilst the popular film Porridge was also filmed at Chelmsford prison .

READ MORE: Face masks, DVD players and other items that HMP Chelmsford prisoners can buy with prison-earned cash

More recently, though, HMP Chelmsford has come under scrutiny with inspectors finding that some inmates were "locked up 22 hours a day" whilst health care appointments could sometimes be cancelled due to staff shortages.

In the most recent inspection, the number of recorded self-harm incidents had increased by 80 (9%) during the previous 12 months compared to the last inspection. Earlier this week the inquest into the death of an inmate who was found unresponsive in their cell was opened at Essex Coroner's Court.

In 2018, meanwhile, an inmate climbed onto the roof of a prison building and began to wave and shout at passers-by. It was a stand-off which lasted around 24 hours. Around 750 men live at the prison according to the Ministry of Justice.

Scroll down to see pictures from the EssexLive archives from inside HMP Chelmsford.

Prisoner Kevin White, from Essex, spends time in his cell at HMP Chelmsford in January 2005

Inmates have access to gym facilities whilst in HMP Chelmsford

As well as an equipped gym, inmates also have access to a library

Outside the gym building is the football pitch where parts of the film Porridge was filmed

A guard patrols the boundary fencing at HMP Chelmsford

A typical two-man cell inside Chelmsford Prison

An inmate in 2013 who had access to a TV in their cell, a privilege to only a few prisoners

Chelmsford Prison looked far more differently back in the 1880s than it does today

An aerial view on HMP Chelmsford as the area looked back in 2014

The Healthcare Centre at HMP Chelmsford

Rob Davies OBE, Governor at HMP Chelmsford between 2007 and 2013, stood in the prison court yard

Prisoners have access to a phone to contact loved ones

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