legal visit hmp preston

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• Crime, justice and law
• Prisons and probation

Preston Prison

Preston Prison is a men’s prison in Preston, Lancashire.

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

Book and plan your visit to Preston prison

To visit someone in Preston Prison you must book your visit in advance and have the required ID with you when you go.

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

The number of visits a prisoner can have varies. You can check this with Preston Prison.

Contact Preston Prison 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 Preston Prison
• somewhere to stay overnight

How to book family and friends visits

You can book your visit online or by telephone.

Telephone booking line: 0330 058 8224 Find out about call charges

The booking line is open:

• Monday, Wednesday and Friday: midday to 5pm
• Tuesday and Thursday: 9am to 5pm

Visiting times

• Monday to Sunday: 2pm to 3pm and 3:30pm to 4:30pm

How to book legal and professional visits

You can book a legal or professional visit by emailing [email protected]

You can also book a visit by calling: 0330 058 8224 Find out about call charges

The line is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Legal visit times:

• Monday to Friday AM: 9am to 10am and 10:30am to 11:30am
• Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday pm 2pm to 3pm and 3:30pm to 4:30pm

Getting to Preston Prison

Find Preston Prison on a map

Preston Prison is about a mile from Preston station and half a mile from the bus station.

To plan your journey by public transport:

• use National Rail Enquiries
• use Traveline for local bus times

There is no visitor parking at the prison. Visitors need to find their own parking.

Entering Preston Prison

All visitors, aged 16 or older must prove their identity before entering the prison. 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.

Preston Prison has a strict dress code policy which means visitors should dress sensibly. You may be turned away if you are wearing items like see through, revealing clothing or crop tops which reveal the stomach, low cut tops, uniforms (except children in school uniform or police officers on a legal visit), chains which resemble key chains, football slogan clothing, headwear of any sort (unless appropriate headwear worn for religious purposes), sunglasses, fluorescent tops, ripped or damaged clothing, hooded tops, steel toe cap footwear, football boots or similar footwear, flip-flops, sliders or heelies, clothing bearing slogans that are deemed racist, insulting or derogatory, o jackets or open fronted tops, this includes cardigans and full front zippered tops, clothing that represents a gang or gang affiliation.

Each adult visitor is allowed to take in a maximum of £20 in cash to buy food and drink from the snack bar in the visiting hall.

There are strict controls on what you can take into Preston Prison. You will have to leave most of the things you have with you in a locker or with security. This includes pushchairs and car seats.

You will be told the rules by an officer at the start of your visit. If you break the rules, your visit could be cancelled and you could be banned from visiting again.

Visiting facilities

Refreshments are available, the children’s play area is open and we have children’s play boxes for at the tables.

Family days

Family days have recommenced. Information can be obtained via Partners Of Prisoners (POPs).

Keep in touch with someone at Preston Prison

There are several ways you can keep in touch with a prisoner during their time at Preston Prison.

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

You can request a secure video call with someone in this prison via the Prison Video app.

You will receive a notification when your request has been accepted.

Read more about how it works ###Phone calls

All prisoners now have access to in-cell telephony.

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 Preston Prison using the Email a Prisoner service .

You are also able to attach photos and receive replies from the prisoner.

You can write at any time.

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

If you do not know their prison number, contact Preston Prison .

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

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 .

Make sure to include the person’s name and prison number on the order. They will be opened and checked by officers.

It’s not possible to send any other items or property by post and such parcels will be returned. You can send prisoners money instead which they can use to buy items through a catalogue system.

Life at Preston Prison

Preston Prison is committed to reducing reoffending by providing prisoners with a structured and educational environment and preparing them for release.

Security and safeguarding

Every prisoner at Preston prison 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 .

Preston Prison also trains prisoners to be ‘listeners’ for those who need support during difficult times.

Arrival and first night

When a prisoner first arrives at Preston Prison, 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.

They will get to speak to someone again on their second night so they have another chance to ask questions.

Each prisoner arriving at Preston prison gets an induction that lasts about a week. They will 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

Over 700 prisoners live at Preston Prison in a mixture of single and shared cells.

There are 3 gym areas offering a range of activities for prisoners of all physical abilities. They also have access to a well-stocked library.

Education and work

All prisoners have access to classroom learning provided by The Manchester College . Subjects include maths, English, IT, graphic design, digital imaging, media/radio production, painting and decorating and art. Support is available for students with dyslexia.

Preston also works in partnership with Novus to provide training for National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs).

There are professional courses in industrial cleaning, health and safety, manual handling and first aid.

There are personal and social development courses on topics such as substance misuse and recovery, victim awareness and restorative justice (where offenders may meet the victims of their crime).

Prisoners can also work throughout the prison in the laundry, maintenance, textiles workshop, cleaning orderly services and other areas.

Temporary release

Some Preston Prison prisoners may qualify for release on temporary licence. This can be used to gain work experience in the local community and prepare for release. Prisoners can apply for this within the prison.

Organisations Preston Prison works with

Preston Prison runs a 2-week resettlement course to prepare prisoners for release. This is done in partnership with organisations including Shelter, Jobcentre Plus and the National Careers Service.

Support for family and friends

Find out about advice and helplines for family and friends .

Support at Preston Prison

A family liaison officer is available to offer help and advice to visitors before and after visits. They are based in the Redwood Cafe within the Landmark Building across the road from Preston Prison.

Concerns, problems and complaints

In an emergency.

Call 01772 444 550 if you think a prisoner is at immediate risk of harm. Ask for the Orderly Officer and explain that your concern is an emergency.

If you wish to have a voicemail service where you will receive a call back, please call 01772 444874. This number is for family and friends should you have any safety concerns.

Problems and complaints

If you have any other problem contact Preston Prison .

Contact Preston Prison

Governor: Dan Cooper

Telephone (24 hours): 01772 444 550 Fax: 01772 444 566 Find out about call charges

HMP Preston 2 Ribbleton Lane Preston Lancashire PR1 5AB

Updated Governor

Updated visiting times for family and friends visits

Updated visiting guidance based on 1 April COVID rule changes

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

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

Updated physical contact guidance

New visiting times and booking information added.

Additional guidance about new COVID-19 variant in the Bolton and Blackburn areas.

visits updated

Updated visit info

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

Updated visting times in line with new covid regulations

Updated visiting information in line with coronavirus restrictions.

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

updated survey link

Prison visits update.

Updated confidential line info

First published.

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Hmp preston.

• Inside Time Reports
• 13th December 2014
• Male Local , Male YOI , North West , Prison Visit

Prison information

Address:  2 Ribbleton Lane Preston Lancashire PR1 5AB

Switchboard: 01772 444550 Managed by: HMPS Region: Central Category:  Male Local Link to:  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/preston-prison

Description

Preston is a category B local prison. It accepts all adult male prisoners from Crown Courts and Magistrates Courts serving Lancashire and Cumbria. Also known as HMPS/YOI as it holds prisoners from 18 years old.

Preston Prison is a men’s prison in Preston, Lancashire.

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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13 thoughts on “ hmp preston ”.

My brother has arrived at hmp Preston and I was told that he could only have 3 tops 3 bottoms no trainers dressing gown towels or anything I find this hard to believe and would just like to updated what I can hand him in ASAP thanks

hi, we really don’t know how this works. how do we get socks and undies in to them and a couple of books? do we take them on the visiting day and leave them?

Just a quick enquiry I’ve 3 children all under the age of 16 only I’d they have when do visit is a birth certificate for each child will that be all the children need please

Hi my partner is in Preston jail and I have no photo id I have tenency agreement electric letter doctors sick not providing name and full address court letters I really want to see him as I feel very anxious I haven’t got time to get photo id as he’s only in now for 7 weeks to some people this mite not be long but to me it feels like forever x

Editorial Comment: The full list of acceptable ID and alternatives can be found on our website at: https://insidetime.org/download/Information/for_prisoners%E2%80%99_families/Acceptable-Identification-for-prison-visits.pdf

Hi as I’ll be visiting just wondering what I’d will be accepted as it would be my first visit and not sure thanks

Just in case anyone is wondering, as I couldn’t find much info from a visitors first-hand experience and its a bit scary not knowing what to expect.

The visitors centre is further around to the left of the prison. You check in with your ID with the officer behind the counter and take a numbered ticket. You are asked to leave your belongings in a locker (you’ll need a £1 coin) before going through two secure doors to the waiting area. I went on a Saturday and arrived 45min early, as advised. The waiting room was already almost full. There are toilets there and books and toys for kids. The other visitors when I went were very friendly, just nice normal families and a few other people who were visiting for the first time and nervous like myself. Around 2pm they start calling groups of 4 through to the security checks (this is why you need the numbered ticket). They can be strict on clothing rules so make sure you read the information given beforehand and don’t turn up in anything revealing (that goes for guys too), ripped, or hoodies. You’ll be asked to put your money (up to £20 in coins for the tuck shop), and locker key in a tray to go through the scanner while you walk through another scanner much like they have in airports. On the day I visited there was a sniffer dog, who was taken to each individual in turn, before we each got a pat down check. Once past security you go up some stairs to the visiting hall where the inmate you’re visiting will be waiting at a table. It can be overwhelming trying to look through so many people but my boyfriend stood up to wave me over. We were allowed to embrace and have a kiss before sitting down on opposite sides of the table. You can buy a range of snacks – sandwiches, crisps, soda, cake, chocolate bars etc from the tuck shop. It was roughly £1 an item but spend the full £20 you’re allowed if you can because these are a big treat for the inmates. The queue can get long though so go up early or wait until it dies down or you’ll waste valuable visit time. I should add we weren’t allowed to bring anything, even letters or books for the prisoners, and the treats purchased in the shop had to be eaten then and there, they couldn’t take them back in. On my visit we were allowed to hold hands and give a little kiss from time to time but there are officers patrolling up and down between the tables so don’t overstep the mark. When time is up (for us it was 3:45) all the visitors are asked to stand and leave. There can be a bit of a jam getting everyone out through the secure doors so allow plenty of time for yourself if you have public transport to catch.

Overall it’s not scary, the other visitors are friendly, as are the prison officers. It might be difficult seeing your loved one in there but its better than not seeing them at all!

that is really helpful as i don’t know what to expect, take or not take etc. thank you.

Thank you so much for taking the time and effort to write this review. I’ve not been able to visit my loved one get due to covid and have been apprehensive but your email has really helped me know what to expect.

Neither of the phone numbers given above for booking visits actually connects. The prison gives these numbers out too and when I complain about the fact that they don’t connect I am merely told that they should without action being taken. How would I progress this through the prison service without putting the person that I am visiting at risk. Spending 30 seconds waiting for the recording on the main switchboard to finish only to find that upon transfer, the line (which can’t be dialled directly) is engaged. It makes me exasperated with the system so what effect this (any many other things) are having on my partner is just unthinkable.

I want book a visit to see my partner and iv no photo I’d can I use bank card and it says rent book I have tendency agreement as rent books have stopped now and it says benefits book they no longer exist so why they still in website I have a benefit letter can I use these plz

Can you visit a prisoner on christmas day ?

My husband has been told he can no longer visit our son without photographic id altbough he produced birth certificate and tax letters …why does web site say these are acceptable at hmp preston.

Editorial response: Your husband does not need photographic ID. PSI 2011-020 states:

If the visitor is unable to produce one of the above, staff may accept combinations of two or more of the following: birth/marriage certificate; cheque book or credit/debit card (counts as one: do not accept as two); employer’s pass or ID or student ID card not acceptable under 4vi above; young person’s ‘proof of age’ card; trade union or National Students’ Union membership card; rent book; foreign identity or residents’ card (other than EC ID cards acceptable in their own right); expired documents from the above lists that appear satisfactory in other ways ; and o ID card from a recognised prison visitors’ organisation (e.g. New Bridge); the name on the card may differ from that on the VO, but provided the visitor has other identification to back up the ID card, and provided staff have no reason to doubt their bona fides, then this will form acceptable identification, and Citizen Card.

This is a Mandatory Instruction and must be complied with by the prison

I need to cancel a visit to Anthony Bunn and cannot find anywhere on the site to do this, Anthony has moved to Ryehill and I was due to visit him this coming Sunday with my husband

Editorial Comment: This site is not connected to the Prison Service and you can neither book nor cancel visits here. To cancel a visit you should telephone the prison. Anthony’s new prison should be able to accept the booked visit – try giving them a ring.

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Please visit POPS’ Facebook page for HMP Preston  for all the latest information and updates.

HMP Preston is a category B local prison situated in Preston, North West England.

POPS delivers the Visitor Centre Services at HMP Preston providing a warm welcome and advice and support for all visitors on a range of issues including travel, debt and housing. We also provide one to one support around the visiting process and prison procedures.

Visitors are able to join the family forum group where they can bring up any issues or contribute ideas to make the visitor experience more relaxed and friendly.

Recent Updates

• Warm Spaces 2024

Useful documents

Before your visit make sure you download and read the following documents:

• 10 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW This includes information on how to book a visit at HMP Preston, travel directions, and other essential information. 
• Dress Code for Visitors
• Prisoner Debt and Money
• Rising Cost of Living Helpsheet – Preston
• Prison Life Videos

Important Contact Information

Booking Line: 0330 058 8224  Families Support Lead:  07471 037 207 (available Monday-Friday, 09:30-17:00) Prison Switchboard:   01772 444 550 POPS’ Family Lead:  [email protected]

Visitor Centre Opening Times

Redwood Church Cafe opposite the prison is open Monday – Friday. Visitors can arrive from 12.30pm where POPS’ team are on hand to support families until 1pm.

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 01925 805 242  and ask to speak to ‘Safer Custody’/ ‘orderly officer’.

Alternatively, you can submit concerns via the online Safer Custody portal on the Prisoners’ Families Helpline website (link below).

Last updated 28/03/24.

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Tel : 0800 048 5684

TRACENET LEGAL SERVICES

Serving process hmp, hmp legal visits & serving process.

Home > Process Serving > Legal Visits Process Server

If you require documents to be served upon individuals currently serving within the Her Majesty's Prison, it is very important that you instruct a professional process server with experience in undertaking Legal Visits . 

At Tracenet Legal Services we are regularly instructed to serve legal process upon individuals who are serving within the  HMP Service  and/or Police Custody. In these circumstances, a legal visit is required in order to attend the Prison and to meet with the individual as a Legal Visitor. 

Although attending a legal visit is straightforward, quite often these visits can take a considerable time, especially when there are issues at the prison that may delay the appointment time or the process server in leaving. On average, the process of attending a legal visit will range between 1 and 1.5 hours. This would include the time required to clear security and vetting procedures. 

It is also worth noting that prison visits become booked very quickly and so to avoid problems with service, we recommend contacting your process server as soon as you know about the requirement to serve the papers.

Also, the legal visits office may not be aware of the individual's release date or possibly that they may have been transferred before the appointment time, so it is always worth being prepared for these situations at the time of instructing a Process Server .

Finally, it is also important to understand that an Individual can refuse to attend the arranged legal visit. If that were to happen it would not be possible to continue with a personal service at that time and further arrangements would need to be made. 

If you require papers to be served upon a serving inmate in England and Wales, please contact us so that we can advise as to the likely time frame and fee for service.

We would require that you have the individual's full name, current prison, prison number, or date of birth before we would be able to continue. 

You can call us to discuss further on 0800 048 5684 or email us here > :

Details of Prison Contact Numbers :

South West Region

HMYOI Ashfield * N/A (0117) 303 8000 Shortwood Road, Pucklechurch, BRISTOL, BS16 9QJ HMP Bristol 7221 (0117) 372 3100 19 Cambridge Road, BRISTOL, BS7 8PS HMP Channings Wood 7020 (01803) 814600 Denbury, NEWTON ABBOT, Devon, TQ12 6DW HMP Dartmoor 7027 (01822) 322000 Princetown, YELVERTON, Devon, PL20 6RR HMP Eastwood Park 7220 (01454) 382100 Falfield, WOTTON-UNDER-EDGE, Gloucestershire, GL12 8DB HMP Erlestoke N/A (01380) 814250 DEVIZES, Wiltshire, SN10 5TU HMP/YOI Exeter 7039 (01392) 415650 New North Road, EXETER, Devon, EX4 4EX HMP Guys Marsh 7051 (01747) 856400 SHAFTESBURY, Dorset, SP7 0AH HMP Leyhill 7071 (01454) 264000 Wooton-Under-Edge, Gloucestershire, GL12 8BT HMYOI Portland 7087 (01305) 715600 104 The Grove, Easton, PORTLAND, Dorset, DT5 1DL HMP The Verne 7208 (01305) 825000 The Verne, PORTLAND, Dorset, DT5 1EQ East of England Region

HMP Bedford 7004 (01234) 373000 St. Loyes Street, BEDFORD, MK40 1HG HMP Bure 7297 (01603) 326000 Jaguar Drive, Scottow, Norwich, Norfolk, NR10 5GB HMP/YOI Chelmsford 7022 (01245) 552000 200 Springfield Road, CHELMSFORD, Essex, CM2 6LQ HMP Highpoint 7250 (01440) 743100 Stradishall, NEWMARKET, Suffolk, CB8 9YG HMP & YOI Hollesley Bay 7058 (01394) 412400 WOODBRIDGE, Suffolk, IP12 3JW HMP Littlehey 7071 (01480) 333000 Perry, HUNTINGDON, Cambridgeshire, PE28 0SR HMP Peterborough * N/A (01733) 217500 Saville Road, Westwood, Peterborough, PE3 7PD HMP & YOI Norwich 7081 (01603) 708600 Knox Road, NORWICH, Norfolk, NR1 4LU HMP The Mount 7207 (01442) 836300 Molyneaux Avenue, Bovingdon, HEMEL HEMPSTEAD, Hertforshire, HP3 0NZ HMYOI Warren Hill 7289 (01394) 633400 Hollesley, WOODBRIDGE, Suffolk, IP12 3JW HMP Wayland 7252 (01953) 804100 Griston, THETFORD, Norfolk, IP25 6RL HMP Whitemoor 7227 (01354) 602350 Longhill Road, MARCH, Cambridgeshire, PE15 0PR East Midlands Region

HM Foston Hall 7045 (01283) 584300 Foston, Derbyshire, DE65 5DN HMP Gartree 7048 (01858) 426600 Gallow Field Road, MARKET HARBOROUGH, Leicestershire, LE16 7RP HMYOI & RC Glen Parva 7231 (0116) 228 4100 Tigers Road, Wigston, LEICESTER, LE8 4TN HMP Leicester 7068 (0116) 2283000 116 Welford Road, LEICESTER, LE2 7AJ HMP Lincoln 7070 (01522) 663000 Greetwell Road, LINCOLN, LN2 4BD HMP Long Lartin 7073 (01386) 295100 South Littleton, EVESHAM, Worcestershire, WR11 8TZ HMP Lowdham Grange * N/A (0115) 966 9200 Old Epperstone Road, Lowdham, Nottingham, NG14 7DA IRC Morton Hall N/A (01522) 666700 Swinderby, LINCOLN, LN6 9PT HMP North Sea Camp 7079 (01205) 769300 Freiston, BOSTON, Lincolnshire, PE22 0QX HMP Nottingham 7082 (0115) 872 4000 Perry Road, Sherwood, NOTTINGHAM, NG5 3AG HMP Onley 7083 (01788) 523400 Willoughby, RUGBY, Warwickshire, CV23 8AP HMP Ranby 7094 (01777) 862000 RETFORD, Nottinghamshire, DN22 8EU HMP Rye Hill * N/A (01788) 523300 Willoughby, RUGBY, Warwickshire, CV23 8SZ HMP Stocken 7234 (01780) 795100 Stocken Hall Road, STRETTON, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 7RD HMP Sudbury 7204 (01283) 584000 Ashbourne, DERBYSHIRE, DE6 5HW HMP Whatton 7225 (01949) 803200 New Lane, Whatton, Nottingham, NG13 9FQ West Midlands Region

HMP Birmingham * N/A (0121) 345 2500 Winson Green Road, BIRMINGHAM, B18 4AS HMP/YOI Brinsford 7011 (01902) 533450 New Road, Featherstone, WOLVERHAMPTON, WV10 7PY HMP/YOI Drake Hall 7232 (01785) 774100 ECCLESHALL, Staffordshire, ST21 6LQ HMP Dovegate * N/A (01283) 829400 Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, ST14 8XR HMP Featherstone 7040 (01902) 703000 New Road, Featherstone, Wolverhampton, WV10 7PU HMP Hewell 7293 (01527) 785000 Hewell Lane, REDDITCH, Worcestershire, B97 6QS HMP Oakwood * N/A (01902) 799700 Oaks Drive, Featherstone, West Midlands, WV10 7QD HMP Stafford 7200 (01785) 773000 54 Gaol Road, STAFFORD, ST16 3AW HMP/YOI Stoke Heath 7202 (01630) 636000 MARKET DRAYTON, Shropshire, TF9 2JL HMYOI Swinfen Hall 7206 (01543) 484000 Swinfen, LICHFIELD, Staffordshire WS14 9QS HMP Werrington 7219 (01782) 463300 Ash Bank Road, STOKE-ON-TRENT, Staffordshire, ST9 0DX Wales Region

HMP Cardiff 7223 (02920) 923100 Knox Road, CARDIFF, CF24 0UG HMP Parc * N/A (01656) 300200 Heol Hopcyn John, BRIDGEND, Mid-Glamorgan, CF35 6AP HMP/YOI Prescoed 7247 (01291) 675000 Coed-y-Paen, Pontypool, Gwent, NP4 0TB HMP Swansea 7205 (01792) 485300 200 Oystermouth Road, SWANSEA, SA1 3SR HMP Usk 7247 (01291) 671600 47 Maryport Street, USK, Monmouthshire, NP15 1XP North East Region

HMYOI Deerbolt 7028 (01833) 633200 Bowes Road, BARNARD CASTLE, County Durham, DL12 9BG HMP Durham 7032 (0191) 332 3400 Old Elvet, DURHAM, DH1 3HU HMP Frankland 7046 (0191) 376 5000 Brasside, DURHAM, DH1 5YD HMP Holme House 7060 (01642) 744000 Holme House Road, STOCKTON-ON-TEES, Cleveland, TS18 2QU HMP Kirklevington Grange 7064 (01642) 792600 YARM, Cleveland, TS15 9PA HMP Low Newton 7074 (0191) 376 4000 Brasside, DURHAM, DH1 5YA HMP Northumberland * N/A (01670) 762300 Morpeth, Northumberland, NE65 9XG Greater London Region

HMP Belmarsh 7005 (020) 8331 4400 Western Way, Thamesmead, LONDON, SE28 0EB HMP Brixton 7012 (020) 8588 6000 P O Box 369, Jebb Avenue, LONDON, SW2 5XF HMP Bronzefield * N/A (01784) 425690 Woodthorpe Road, Ashford, Middlesex, TW15 3JZ HMP Coldingley 7024 (01483) 344300 Shaftesbury Road, Bisley, WOKING, Surrey, GU24 9EX HMP Downview 7031 (020) 8196 6300 Sutton Lane, SUTTON, Surrey, SM2 5PD HMYOI Feltham 7041 (020) 8844 5000 Bedfont Road, FELTHAM, Middlesex TW13 4ND HMP High Down 7056 (020) 7147 6300 Sutton Lane, SUTTON, Surrey, SM2 5PJ HMP & YOI Holloway 7059 (020) 7979 4400 Parkhurst Road, LONDON, N7 0NU HMP & YOI Isis 7300 (02033) 56 4000 Western Way, Thamesmead, LONDON, SE28 0NZ HMP Pentonville 7086 (020) 7023 7000 Caledonian Road, LONDON, N7 8TT HMP Send 7097 (01483) 471000 Ripley Road, Send, WOKING, Surrey, GU23 7LJ HMP Thameside * N/A (020) 8317 9777 Griffin Manor Way, Thamesmead, London, SE28 0FJ HMP Wandsworth 7214 (020) 8588 4000 PO Box 757, Heathfield Road, Wandsworth, LONDON, SW18 3HS HMP Wormwood Scrubs 7235 (020) 8588 3200 PO Box 757, Du Cane Road, LONDON, W12 0AE North West Region

Establishment VPN Telephone number Address HMP Altcourse * N/A (0151) 522 2000 Higher Lane, Fazakerley, LIVERPOOL, L9 7LH HMP Buckley Hall 7256 (01706) 514300 Buckley Road, ROCHDALE, Lancashire, OL12 9DP HMP Forest Bank * N/A (0161) 925 7000 Agecroft Road, Pendlebury, Salford, M27 8FB HMP Garth 7047 (01772) 443300 Ulnes Walton Lane, Leyland, Lancashire, PR26 8NE HMP Haverigg 7054 (01229) 713000 MILLOM, Cumbria, LA18 4NA HMYOI Hindley 7057 (01942) 663100 Gibson Street, Bickershaw, WIGAN, WN2 5TH HMP Kennet 7286 (0151) 2133000 Parkbourn, Maghull, LIVERPOOL, Merseyside, L31 1HX HMP Kirkham 7063 (01772) 675400 Freckleton Road, Kirkham, PRESTON, Lancashire, PR4 2RN HMP/YOI Lancaster Farms 7065 (01524) 563450 Stone Row Head, Off Quernmore Road, Lancaster, LA1 3QZ HMP Liverpool 7072 (0151) 530 4000 68 Hornby Road, LIVERPOOL, L9 3DF HMP Manchester N/A (0161) 8175600 Southall Street, MANCHESTER, M60 9AH HMP Preston 7089 (01772) 444550 2 Ribbleton Lane, PRESTON, Lancashire, PR1 5AB HMP Risley 7096 (01925) 733000 Warrington Road, Risley, WARRINGTON, Cheshire, WA3 6BP HMP/YOI Styal 7203 (01625) 553000 WILMSLOW, Cheshire, SK9 4HR HMYOI Thorn Cross 7281 (01925) 805100 Arley Road, Appleton Thorn, WARRINGTON, Cheshire, WA4 4RL HMP Wymott 7236 (01772) 442000 Ulnes Walton Lane, Leyland, PRESTON, PR26 8LW Kent and Sussex Region HMP Blantyre House 7007 (01580) 213200 Goudhurst, CRANBROOK, Kent, TN17 2NH HMYOI Cookham Wood 7025 (01634) 202500 Sir Evelyn Road, ROCHESTER, Kent, ME1 3LU IRC Dover 7030 (01304) 246400 The Citadel, Western Heights, DOVER, Kent, CT17 9DR HMP East Sutton Park 7035 (01622) 785000 Sutton Valence, MAIDSTONE, Kent, ME17 3DF HMP Ford 7044 (01903) 663000 ARUNDEL, West Sussex, BN18 0BX HMP Lewes 7272 (01273) 785100 1 Brighton Road, LEWES, East Sussex, BN7 1EA HMP Maidstone 7075 (01622) 775300 36 County Road, MAIDSTONE, Kent, ME14 1UZ HMYOI Rochester 7251 (01634) 803100 1 Fort Road, ROCHESTER, Kent, ME1 3QS HMP Sheppey Cluster HMP Elmley 7036 (01795) 882000 Church Road, EASTCHURCH, Sheerness, Kent, ME12 4DZ HMP Standford Hill 7201 (01795) 884500 Church Road, EASTCHURCH, Sheerness, Kent, ME12 4AA HMP Swaleside 7253 (01795) 804100 Brabazon Road, EASTCHURCH, Isle of Sheppey, Kent, ME12 4AX South Central Region HMYOI Aylesbury 7003 (01296) 444000 Bierton Road, AYLESBURY, Buckinghamshire, HP20 1EH HMP Bullingdon 7015 (01869) 353100 P O Box 50, BICESTER, Oxfordshire, OX25 1PZ HMP Grendon & Springhill 7050 (01296) 445000 Grendon Underwood, AYLESBURY, Buckinghamshire, HP18 0TL HMP Huntercombe 7062 (01491) 643100 Huntercombe Place, Nuffield, HENLEY-ON-THAMES, Oxfordshire RG9 5SB HMP IRC Haslar 7052 (02392) 604000 2 Dolphin Way, GOSPORT, Hampshire, PO12 2AW HMP Isle of Wight N/A (01983) 556 300 Clissold Road, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 5R HMP Winchester 7228 (01962) 723000 Romsey Road, WINCHESTER, Hampshire, SO22 5DF HMP Woodhill 7229 (01908) 722000 Tattenhoe Street, MILTON KEYNES, Buckinghamshire, MK4 4DA Yorkshire and Humberside Region HMP/YOI Askham Grange 7002 (01904) 772000 Askham Richard, YORK, YO23 3FT HMP Doncaster * N/A (01302) 760870 Off North Bridge Road, Marshgate, DONCASTER, South Yorkshire, DN5 8UX HMP Humber Everthorpe site 7038 (01430) 426500 1a Beck Road, BROUGH, East Yorkshire, HU15 1RB Wolds site N/A (01430) 428000 Everthorpe, BROUGH, East Yorkshire, HU15 2JZ HMP Full Sutton 7241 (01759) 475100 Full Sutton, YORK, YO41 1PS HMYOI Hatfield 7053 (01405) 746500 Thorne Road, Hatfield, DONCASTER, South Yorkshire, DN7 6EL HMP Hull 7061 (01482) 282200 Hedon Road, HULL, HU9 5LS HMP Leeds 7067 (0113) 203 2600 Gloucester Terrace, Armley, LEEDS, LS12 2TJ HMP Lindholme 7242 (01302) 524700 Bawtry Road, Hatfield Woodhouse, DONCASTER, DN7 6EE HMP Moorland 7077 (01405) 746500 Thorne Road, Hatfield, DONCASTER, South Yorkshire, DN7 6EL HMP/YOI New Hall 7078 (01924) 803000 Dial Wood, Flockton, WAKEFIELD, West Yorkshire, WF4 4XX HMP Wakefield 7093 (01924) 612000 5 Love Lane, WAKEFIELD, West Yorkshire, WF2 9AG HMP Wealstun 7216 (01937) 444400 Church Causeway, Thorp Arch, WETHERBY, Yorkshire, LS23 7AZ HMYOI Wetherby 7224 (01937) 544200 York Road, WETHERBY, West Yorkshire, LS22 5ED

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Visiting the prison

Booking a visit - domestic visits (Family & Friends)

Prisoners are responsible for booking their own visits; this is done by using an application on the Central Management System (CMS) – accessed via touchscreen computer terminals that are located on each unit in the establishment. Once a visit has been approved it is up the individual prisoner to inform his family and friends of the date and time of the visit.

The maximum time a visit can be booked is 14 days in advance and the minimum is 3 days in advance.

Prisoners can book up to 3 adult visitors per session and 3 children less than 18 Years of age. However, if the child is over 17 they will be classed as an adult.

It is the responsibility of the prisoner to book and inform friends and family of the time and date of visits.

Staff are not responsible for booking or informing family and friends of visits or cancellation of visits.

It is also the responsibility of the prisoner to inform visitors of correct identification requirements as well as other visit regulations, however visitors are encouraged to check the website for further details.

For sending correspondence / emails to your family or friend in prison, you can take advantage of the emailaprisoner.com system. Please log on to https://www.emailaprisoner.com and follow the instructions.

Domestic visitors’ identification

All visitors to closed prisons, both Adults and Children, whether visiting for social or official purposes must be required to prove their identity on Reception. (Children’s birth certificates are suitable to prove the name and date of birth).

Two separate forms of up-to-date identification will be required to gain entry to the prison, including one photographic identification and two proof of address:

• Driving Licence - Acceptable on its own if photograph and the address matches the address provided by the prisoner on CMS.
• Passport - Including foreign passports and time expired passports where the photograph is still recognisable.
• Bus Pass (elderly only) - Must have been issued by the Local Authority. Photograph must match.
• Student / Employers I.D. - Must clearly show the name of the visitor and educational establishment / employer. Photograph must match.
• Citizen Card - A Citizen Card is an official UK ID / proof of age card recognised as such by the Home Office. Obtained online. A Standard application costs £15 and takes 21 days (card posted by Royal Mail 2nd class); an Urgent application costs £30 and takes 1-2 workingdays (subject to verification; card posted by Special Delivery guaranteed Next Day by 1pm). you can find out more at www.citizencard.com. Must be official, the photograph must match.

Two Proof of address can include: (No more than 6 Months old)

• Utility bill
• Benefit book / Letter
• Council tax/tax credit award
• Household bill or statement with the address on

For other forms of ID that may be acceptable please ensure you contact the prison Visits Booking line for advice.

If a visitor is unable to produce ID as above, staff may accept combinations of two or more of the following below, but must also include two proof of addresses:

• ‘Birth/marriage certificate
• ‘Rail or bus pass with photo
• ‘Cheque book or credit/debit card (counts as one, do not accept as two)
• ‘Employer’s pass or ID or student ID card not acceptable under paragraph 2
• ‘Young person’s ‘proof of age’ card
• ‘Trade Union or National Students’ union membership card
• ‘Library card, if it has a signature that can be compared with the visitor’s signature
• ‘Rent book
• ‘Foreign identity or resident’s card (other than EC ID cards acceptable in their own right)
• ‘Expired documents from the above lists that appear satisfactory in other ways
• ‘ID Card from Prison Visitors Organisations

You may be refused entry if you do not have sufficient ID. This will be decided by the Visits Manager on duty. The Director has the discretion to accept any form of identification that clearly identifies the visitor in a satisfactory way.

Having had ID checked all visitors will have their photograph taken, fingerprints and hand stamped with UV ink.

All adults and children over 10 years of age will have their finger-prints taken.

Booking a visit - legal/officials only

Our dedicated booking line is staffed: Monday to Friday between 0830-1630 hrs.

Official visitors can book by phone or via email.

[email protected]

To book by phone call: +44(0) 151 522 2196 / +44(0) 151 522 2047

For non-confidential correspondence to your clients, you can take advantage of the emailaprisoner.com system. Please log on to https://www.emailaprisoner.com/ and follow the instructions.

Legal visitors’ identification

The forms of identification set out below are acceptable. If the visitor does not possess such identification then the forms of identification for social visitors are also acceptable. If in doubt, Visits staff may telephone the visitor’s employer (e.g. solicitors office, barrister’s chambers, probation department) to check the visitor is bona fide. Get the telephone number from the phone book or direct enquiries, not from the visitor:

• Members of either House of Parliament: Houses of Parliament ID card.
• Legal Advisers: identity card issued by firm/ chambers, or introductory letter on headed letter paper of firm/chambers.
• Police, Immigration and Customs Officers: warrant card.
• Probation Officers: probation department ID card.
• Staff from other prisons, HQ or Home Office Staff: prison service security pass or home office pass.
• Consular Officials: consular ID card.
• Other public officials: departmental or local authority pass or ID card (but only if it shows the name of the visitor and the name of the department or local authority).
• Social workers: identification cards.
• Researchers: Security Photo pass or official letter (visits must be pre-arranged) and
• NHS: photographic identification badge/card. Independent sector healthcare photographic identification badge/card.

Visitors Centre

Safe Ground is the organisation responsible for the day to day running of the Visitors Centre at HMP Altcourse where our team is working hard to create a space and a service which is welcoming, comfortable, efficient, and conducive to meaningful engagement. In time, visitors also have the opportunity to access therapeutic spaces facilitated by a specialist member of the team based on site.  Alongside our day-to-day delivery of the Visitors Centre service and family support work, Safe Ground is delivering therapeutic group work programmes to men in custody. Together, our services represent the movement of the establishment towards a model of best practice in implementing ground-breaking person-centred interventions. For more information visit  Safe Ground - Social Interest Group - Social Interest Group

Visiting times until 1 st October

Visitors will need to arrive at the visits centre at least one hour prior to the visiting time in order to be processed in time for the visit to commence.

Monday to Friday

13:30-14:30 (BOOKING - VISITORS TO BOOK IN 12.15pm)

15:15-16:15 (BOOKING - VISITORS TO BOOK IN 14:15hrs)

18:15-19:15 (BOOKING - VISITORS TO BOOK IN 17:00hrs)

09:15-10:15 (BOOKING - VISITORS TO BOOK IN 08:15hrs)

11:00-12:00 (BOOKING - VISITORS TO BOOK IN 10:00hrs)

14:00-16:00 (BOOKING - VISITORS TO BOOK IN 13:00hrs)

13:45-14:45 (BOOKING - VISITORS TO BOOK IN 12:45hrs)

15:30-16:30 (BOOKING - VISITORS TO BOOK IN 14:30hrs)

Visiting times from 2nd October

Official Visits Monday to Friday

AM Sessions

1 st Session. Solicitor Arrive at search area 08:30. Visit Time 09:00 to 10:00

2 nd Session. Solicitor Arrive at search area 10:00. Visit Time 10:30 to 11:30

PM Sessions

1 st Session. Solicitor Arrive at search area 14:00. Visit Time 14:30 to 15:30

2 nd Session. Solicitor Arrive at search area 15:30. Visit Time 16:00 to 17:00

NB Duration of each session is 1 Hour. A request for an extended 2 Hour session can be authorised subject to availability.

On arrival Legal Visitors do not need to go to the Visits Centre. Report directly to the main reception with your ID.

Social Visits Monday to Sunday

1 st Session. Visitor Arrives in VC 08:00. Visitor comes through search area 08:30. Visit Time 09:00 to 10:00.

2 nd Session. Visitor Arrives in VC 09:30. Visitor comes through search area 10:00. Visit Time 10:30 to 11:30.

1 st Session. Visitor Arrives in VC 13:30. Visitor comes through search area 14:00. Visit Time 14:30 to 15:30.

2 nd Session. Visitor Arrives in VC 15:00. Visitor comes through search area 15:30. Visit Time 16:00 to 17:00.

Purple Video Visits

Purple Visits will take place on a Saturday and Sunday only and the times are the same as the Social Visits Sessions and will be booked in the usual way.

All of the above Visiting Times will come into effect from the 2 nd October 2023.

Visits Staff retain discretion to accept any other forms of identification, singly or in combination, that clearly identify the visitor in a satisfactory way.

The following list of items must not be brought into or taken out of the prison by staff or visitors:

• Explosives and other dangerous items
• Any item of contraband such as illegal or unauthorised substances (including steroids etc)
• Any article intended for a prisoner
• Weapons of any description including imitation weapons
• Alcohol (except Communion wine brought in by Chaplaincy staff)
• Aerosols (e.g. spray deodorant / hairspray)
• Cans (e.g. drinks can)
• Metal Cutlery (beyond P4)
• Metal nail files
• Civilian Clothing (if in uniform)
• Spare uniform
• Chewing Gum
• Mobile Phones and associated parts (unless authorised under the Offender Management Act
• Pagers (unless authorised)
• Cameras (unless authorised under the Offender Management Act )
• Video Cameras (unless authorised under the Offender Management Act
• Any other sound or picture recording devices (unless authorised under the OMA)
• DVD recorder / players
• Non healthcare / prescribed drugs
• Tobacco, lighters, matches or any other smoking paraphernalia
• Large amounts of money
• Unofficial tools e.g. personal screwdrivers
• Tool repair kits

How we collect and use your data

Learn more Close

COLLECTION OF DATA

In order to facilitate your visit to one of our prisons and to ensure that we deliver appropriate levels of security and safety and prevent crime, for identification purposes we shall collect your name, date of birth, address, a biometric template of your fingerprint and a photograph. A series of reference points from a finger print are collected, allowing a unique identification pattern. We do not collect or hold actual fingerprints.

Our prisons operate CCTV and staff may wear Body Worn Video Recording Equipment. We do not collect biometric readings or photographs of children under 16, however with the use of CCTV, images may routinely be captured.

DATA SHARING

We will only share your information with a third party where there is a legal obligation to do so.

RIGHTS OF ACCESS, CORRECTION, ERASURE AND RESTRICTION

You have legal rights in connection with personal information. Under certain circumstances, by law you have the right to:

• Request access to your personal information (commonly known as a “data subject access request”). This enables you to receive a copy of the personal information we hold about you and to check that we are lawfully processing it.
• Request correction of the personal information that we hold about you. This enables you to have any incomplete or inaccurate information we hold about you corrected.
• Request erasure of your personal information. This enables you to ask us to delete or remove personal information where there is no good reason for us continuing to process it. You also have the right to ask us to delete or remove your personal information where you have exercised your right to object to processing.
• Object to processing of your personal information by us or on our behalf in certain situations.
• Request the restriction of processing of your personal information. This enables you to ask us to suspend the processing of personal information about you, for example if you want us to establish its accuracy or the reason for processing it.

DATA RETENTION

We keep personal data in accordance with our clients’ and Sodexo’s retention procedures. These retention periods depend on the nature of the information (e.g. we apply different retention periods to different type of information such as CCTV and your visitor record), and may be subject to change.

If you have any questions or concerns about how long we retain your personal data, please contact the Data Protection Officer using the details below.

FURTHER ADVICE / GUIDANCE

To exercise your rights, you can contact us by writing to us at the following address: [email protected] or email the Global Data Protection Office at the following email address: [email protected] stating your surname, first name and the reason for your request. We will most likely ask you for additional information in order to identify you and to enable us to deal with your request

You also have the right to contact the Information Commissioner’s Office and file a complaint. ( https://ico.org.uk/concerns/ )

Latest News

Ways to stay in touch... .

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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HMIP Inspection of Preston

The prison was inspected in March 2023. The full reports can be read at the Ministry of Justice web site, just follow the links below. In their latest report the inspectors said

  HMP Preston is an ageing men’s reception prison serving courts in Lancashire, that held 680 prisoners at the time of our inspection. It is not bedevilled by the same staffing pressures from which many English prisons suffer and was only 12% off its full complement of officers, although leaders were expecting to lose staff on detached duty to other prisons in the near future.

The governor, who had been in post for nearly a year, had introduced a fresh vision and a determination to address some negative outcomes for prisoners. The poor behaviour by staff members we saw in use of force footage, and which was reported to us by prisoners, was a clear demonstration of a negative staff culture that continued among some officers.

Aided by a new deputy, the governor was working to develop the capability and experience of the leadership team. He had moved his and other leaders’ offices so that they were next to the main part of the jail and staff frequently told me how much they appreciated seeing him on the wings.

Overall, the prison was reasonably safe, with violence at similar levels to the average rates for reception and resettlement prisons, and more serious incidents were rare. The ingress of illegal drugs, which were often the cause of violence, bullying and debt, continued to be a major challenge and leaders were working hard to reduce the supply. There were creative solutions in place to improve the behaviour of some violent prisoners, but others were not being given sufficient support or helped to change.

Unusually, inspectors were positive about the quality of ACCT documents (case management for prisoners at risk of suicide or self-harm), where quality assurance by leaders meant that the standard was consistently good, although there was scope for improvements in the quality of some support plans.

Living conditions for many prisoners continued to be poor; too many shared small cells designed for one with inadequately screened lavatories. The wings were kept reasonably clean but not enough to deter the prison’s large rat population. Efforts had been made to refurbish some showers and communal toilets, but significantly more investment was needed to bring conditions up to a decent standard across the site.

The head of health care was doing an outstanding job and standards had improved markedly since our last inspection, with a strong and proactive staff team working to improve outcomes for a population that had many difficulties with mental health and substance misuse. The governor had worked to develop the partnership with the health care provider and this had led to innovations such as a nurse being linked to the segregation unit to provide support for both prisoners and staff, and remand prisoners being allowed to join the excellent substance misuse unit.

Another good partnership with the education provider meant that a good proportion of prisoners were allocated to education, work or training, with suitable opportunities in place for what was a largely transient population. This meant that most prisoners were spending more time out of cell than we often seen in similar prisons, although there was still more to do to increase unlock time at weekends and for unemployed prisoners, where levels remained poor.

The biggest disappointment in this inspection was the reduced access to family visits. The prison had recently introduced a new booking system that was supposed to address some long-term difficulties, but they had not been resolved and a lack of monitoring meant that leaders had not noticed the problems that many prisoners described to me when I walked round the jail. Elsewhere, the offender management unit was doing some good reactive work when prisoners were due to move, but otherwise they had little or no interaction with their offender managers, which was compounded by the very limited amount of key work that was taking place. This failed to reduce the risk of harm they presented, particularly those convicted of sexual offences who would be released into the community from HMP Preston.

Overall, this was a positive inspection and inspectors left with a sense that there was some real momentum within the prison. I hope the findings in this report will give the governor and his team assurance that they have the right priorities, but that they also serve as a benchmark for further improvement. A little more clarity about milestones, targets and monitoring arrangements against each priority will help to drive progress. Provided there is continuity of leadership, I am confident that Preston will continue this positive journey.

Charlie Taylor HM Chief Inspector of Prisons May 2023

The inspectors proved a short list of their major findings

What needs to improve at HMP Preston

During this inspection we identified 12 key concerns, of which five should be treated as priorities. Priority concerns are those that are most important to improving outcomes for prisoners. They require immediate attention by leaders and managers.

Leaders should make sure that all concerns identified here are addressed and that progress is tracked through a plan which sets out how and when the concerns will be resolved. The plan should be provided to HMI Prisons.

Priority concerns

• Far too few prisoners said the prison induction covered everything they needed to know, and it was unnecessarily delayed. This was a concern given the number of prisoners new to custody and their high levels of need.
• Drugs were too easy to get hold of, and their use was directly linked to debt and violence.
• Prisoners said a small number of officers behaved in a heavy[1]handed and disrespectful manner. We saw evidence of force being used inappropriately against prisoners, along with foul and abusive language.
• Support to help prisoners stay in contact with their family and friends was limited, and an ongoing problem with the visits booking system had not been resolved.
• Vacancies in the offender management unit and the pre-release team persisted meaning prisoners, including those convicted of sexual offences, had too little contact with their offender manager which undermined work to address their risks and needs before release.

Key concerns

• It was difficult for prisoners to get basic queries and problems resolved promptly because key work contact was very limited, and the application system was not working well.
• Despite some improvements, living conditions were not sufficiently good in many parts of the prison.
• Patients needing specialist care waited too long to be transferred to hospital under the Mental Health Act.
• Unemployed prisoners had too little time out of cell, there was no evening association time for anyone and the regime at weekends was poor.
• Attendance at activities was too low.
• Instructors in prison industries did not receive sufficiently structured feedback to help them improve quickly enough.
• Remanded and unsentenced prisoners could not receive help with their accommodation problems, such as maintaining their tenancy or dealing with rent arears

Return to Preston

To read the full report from the inspectors, follow the links below to the Ministry of Justice web site:

• Inspection report (1 MB) ,  Report on an unannounced inspection of HMP Preston by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons (7–23 March 2023)
• HMP Preston – report (PDF) ( 478.75 kB ) , Report on a scrutiny visit to HMP Preston by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, August 2020
• HMP Preston ( 563.56 kB ) , Report on an unannounced inspection of HMP Preston (6-17 March 2017)
• HMP Preston , Unannounced inspection of HMP Preston (31 March – 11 April 2014)
• HMP Preston , Unannounced short follow-up inspection of HMP Preston (10 – 12 April 2012)
• HMP Preston , Announced inspection of HMP Preston (10-14 August 2009)
• HMP Preston , Unannounced short follow-up inspection of HMP Preston (23-25 January 2008)

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Preston Prison Information

• Accommodation: The prison provides multiple residential units with individual cells or shared accommodation for inmates. The cells are equipped with basic amenities, including beds, personal storage, and sanitation facilities.
• Education and Vocational Training: Preston Prison places a strong emphasis on education and vocational training. Inmates have access to a range of educational programs, including basic education, literacy, numeracy, and accredited courses. Vocational training opportunities are also available to develop employable skills and enhance prospects for successful reintegration into society.
• Work Opportunities: Inmates at Preston Prison have access to various work activities within the prison, such as maintenance, cleaning, kitchen, and other designated roles. These work activities aim to develop skills, instill discipline, and promote a sense of responsibility.
• Healthcare: Preston Prison has an on-site healthcare unit 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: Preston 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.

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Street Legal Racing at Moscow Unlim 500+

The Moscow Unlim 500+ is a racing event involving street legal cars that compete against each-other on a mile long road strip. As you will see in the video below the ‘creme de la creme’ of Russian owned sports cars and tricked-out rides have shown up, including even a Koenigsegg CCX. Pretty much everyone that attended the Street Legal Racing at Moscow Unlim 500+ admitted that everything was well organised and compared to other events of this kind where its all show and no go, this time it was all about action. Watch the Street Legal Racing at Moscow Unlim 500+video after the jump.

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HMP Preston scrutiny visit

Report on a scrutiny visit to HMP Preston by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons

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Peace Through Strength? When Nixon Went to Moscow

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On May 22, 1972, Richard Nixon became the first American president to visit Moscow, the capital and largest city of what was then the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. The nine-day summit came on the heels of Nixon’s more famous visit to China earlier in the year, when he and Chairman Mao reinitiated Chinese-American relations and began a long process of reintegrating the two societies’ political, cultural, and economic institutions. (Nixon, in 1959, visited Moscow as vice-president, something I’ll write about it July, so stay tuned!)

So why did Nixon, one of the most ardent anti-Communists in American politics during the late 1960s and early 1970s, go to Moscow at the height of the Cold War? How was he able to even pull it off? The counterintuitive answer is that it was because he was so hawkish. Only Nixon could go to the Soviet Union (and China earlier in 1972).

Nixon’s anti-Communist credentials were so sound that he could spend political capital making inroads with Communist enemies. His actions were viewed as safe by the American electorate because, for better or worse, the public saw Nixon as somebody who would not betray American values at the negotiating table with the Soviets. Nixon’s hawkishness provided moral cover for America’s withdrawal from Vietnam, and its peaceful overtures to the two most powerful and aggressively anti-capitalist regimes in the world (China and the USSR).

This dynamic plays out in a number of examples in the world today, too. Donald Trump comes to mind, of course, but so does Narendra Modi’s populist regime in India (relations between India and Pakistan have never been so peaceful). Xi Jinping’s China can also be viewed in this light. At home, Chairman Xi is a strident nationalist, but abroad, he and his policymakers have been vigorously building multilateral relationships with Asia, Africa, Latin America, Europe, and even the United States using that hawkishness at home as one of its diplomatic cards at the negotiating table. In the past, Otto von Bismarck’s German federation achieved peace on the European continent through strength.

Anecdotally, Republicans from California tend to be a bit more hawkish than their national counterparts. Nixon and Reagan come to mind, but so do many of California’s GOP members in the House of Representatives today. This is due, in part, to the fact that California is so far to the left that GOP operatives have to distinguish their differences with Democrats in a more pronounced manner. California’s Democrats are, for better or worse, viewed as the standard-bearers for all things left-wing today: big government, open immigration (whether legal or not), and world peace. This is a caricature, of course, since people like Nancy Pelosi and Babs Boxer have easily traceable hawkish records on policies like foreign affairs, but that’s just the nature of electoral politics in one-party states and of the narrative of our media establishment. California’s Republicans, outnumbered and always under attack, have no other option but to oppose instinctively their counterparts’ public aura. If the Democrats there are in favor of peace with communists (even if their voting record says otherwise), the Republicans have to go to their constituents and say they are against it.

Nixon was the first president to visit Moscow. FDR had visited the Soviet Union in 1945, but the conference he attended, along with Winston Churchill and Josef Stalin, was held at Yalta, a resort town in present-day Crimea. The Moscow Summit itself was rather interesting, too. Nixon signed numerous accords with the Soviet Union while there, but he did so with numerous heads of Soviet bureaucracies rather than solely with Brezhnev. What this can tell us is that the Soviet Union was far more decentralized in 1972 than many hawkish (and ideological) observers claimed.

After Stalin’s butcherous rein, Khrushchev came to power and tried to eliminate the brutal elements of Stalin’s regime while simultaneously wielding the power Stalin had held. But power thrives on fear and violence, and reformers took advantage of Khrushchev’s less brutal approach to institute a number of reforms in governance, including the dismantling of the General Secretary’s omnipotent position in the USSR’s political hierarchy. What emerged by the time Khrushchev’s successor, Brezhnev, came to govern was a much more decentralized political structure that sought to realize a true union of Soviet socialist republics. The fact that this realization still failed to replace capitalism  as a superior producer of goods, services, and human freedom should not shroud the fact that reform was achieved in the Soviet Union. Indeed, the fact that hard-fought reform in Soviet civil and political life failed to achieve any of the USSR’s economic goals is a strength when pointing out socialism’s long list of failures.

Incidentally, one of the reasons I didn’t include Gorbachev in the l ist of dictators who “gave up” power is because he wasn’t a dictator. Gorbachev inherited a political system that was decentralized and dedicated to representativeness. If anything, the executive branch of the USSR was more decentralized than its American counterpart, a fact illustrated best by Nixon having to sign accords with a number of high-ranking Soviet officials.

So what can all this history teach us about today’s world? I look at hawks and doves. Hawks may make boorish claims, and they may say stupid things, but maybe, just maybe, we should give the hawks a chance.

Brandon Christensen is a weekly columnist at RealClearHistory and a contributor to the site's Historiat blog. He's also a member of the Notes On Liberty blogging consortium and currently writes from Texas.

• 1957: Mao Zedong visits Moscow

On November 2, 1957, Chairman Mao Zedong led the Chinese delegation by a specially commissioned plane from Beijing to Moscow and attended the 40th anniversary ceremony celebrating the great October Socialist Revolution.

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• Mao Zedong went to Moscow to attend the 40th anniversary ceremony celebrating the great October Socialist Revolution.