Visiting someone in prison

Visiting someone in prison can feel daunting, especially for a first visit. This guide explains how social visits usually work in prisons in England and Wales, what to do before you travel, and where to get help.

Who this guide is for

This article is mainly about social visits by family and friends. Legal and professional visits have different arrangements; see the section below.

The information is general. The prison’s own current guidance controls what happens at that prison on the day.

Before you book

The person in prison will usually need to add you to their approved visitor list before you can book. The prison will then contact you or make booking available.

You can normally request a social visit using the GOV.UK prison visits service. If the online service is not available for that prison or type of visit, contact the prison directly.

Some visits must usually be arranged directly with the prison, including:

To find the prison and its local visiting information, use GOV.UK: visiting someone in prison.

How often can someone receive visits?

Visit arrangements depend on the person’s legal status, the prison timetable, local capacity and any restrictions that apply. A person held on remand may have different arrangements from someone serving a sentence.

For adult prisons, the basic legal position is set out in the Prison Rules 1999, rule 35. For young offender institutions, see the Young Offender Institution Rules 2000, rule 10. In practice, the prison will tell the person in custody and their visitors what can be booked.

Do not rely on a previous visit pattern. Check the prison’s current information before arranging travel or childcare.

What identification do I need?

Take the identification required by the prison. The documents accepted can vary. A passport or driving licence may be accepted, but do not assume that one form of identification will always be enough.

Check the prison’s local rules before travelling. If you do not have the required identification, contact the prison in advance to ask whether another arrangement is possible. You may otherwise be refused entry. See GOV.UK guidance on identification for prison visits.

Can children visit?

Children can often visit, but the prison may apply safeguarding rules. Whether a child or young person can attend, attend without an adult, or visit a particular person will depend on the prison’s rules and any risk assessment.

Contact the prison before booking if a child is coming. Tell the prison about any particular safeguarding, disability, health or communication need.

What should I bring?

Arrive early enough to complete entry checks. Bring only the identification and belongings the prison says you may take in.

Do not bring money, food, gifts, clothing, medication, documents or other property unless the prison has confirmed that it is permitted and has explained how it must be handed in. You must not pass items directly to the person in prison.

Rules on money and refreshments vary. Some prisons may have a café or other approved way to buy refreshments; others may not. Check before travelling.

What happens when I arrive?

You and your belongings may be searched before entry. The level of searching depends on the prison’s security procedures and the circumstances.

Follow staff instructions. You may be asked to store property in a locker, pass through security equipment or take part in other entry checks. If you have a medical condition, disability, religious need or another reason why a search may be difficult, contact the prison before travelling.

You may be refused entry or a visit may be ended if prison rules are not followed.

During the visit

Social visits are supervised for safety and security. Staff may see and hear the visit. The prison can set rules about seating, movement, behaviour, property and physical contact.

Do not assume that a hug or other physical contact will be allowed. It depends on the prison, the type of visit and any safety or security arrangements. In some cases, a prison may restrict or prevent physical contact, for example by using a barrier or another supervised format.

Do not take photographs, make recordings or use a phone unless the prison has expressly permitted it. Follow the prison’s current rules about smoking or vaping.

If you need an adjustment or extra support

Contact the prison before booking or travelling if you:

Explain what support you need and ask the prison to confirm the arrangements. You may also be able to get help with the cost of a person who accompanies you because of disability.

Help with the cost of visiting

You may be able to get help with travel, food or an overnight stay if you meet the eligibility rules. Help may also be available for a child travelling with you or someone who helps you because you are disabled.

The rules and rates can change. Check the current criteria at GOV.UK: help with the cost of prison visits.

Video calls, letters and phone calls

Some prisons offer secure video calls. Availability, booking arrangements and the app used depend on the prison. All callers usually need to be on the approved visitor list, and video calls are monitored. They are not a private alternative to a legal visit.

For current information, including device and identification requirements, see GOV.UK: visit a prisoner using a video call.

You can also usually keep in touch by letter and telephone. Ordinary calls and messages may be monitored or recorded for safety and security. Do not use them for confidential legal advice.

Legal and professional visits

Legal visits are different from social visits and usually need to be arranged directly with the prison. Legal advisers should check the prison’s booking procedure, identification requirements, permitted documents and any security arrangements in advance.

A legal adviser visiting in connection with legal proceedings should be given reasonable facilities to speak with the person in prison without being overheard, although the meeting may remain within sight of prison staff. See the Prison Rules 1999, rule 38.

If a visit is refused, cancelled or does not go ahead

Ask the prison why the visit could not take place and what you need to do before booking again. A refusal may be caused by identification, booking, visitor-list, safeguarding or security requirements, or an operational problem at the prison.

Keep a record of the booking reference, the date, the name of the person you speak to and any reason given. If travel or accommodation is involved, keep receipts in case you need to pursue a booking query or make a travel cost claim.

If you are unhappy with visiting arrangements

Raise the problem first with the prison’s visits team or the local contact named on its information page. You can also write to the Governor. Keep copies of what you send and of any response.

If the person in prison has completed the prison’s internal complaints process and remains dissatisfied, they may be able to complain to the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman. A complaint about prison matters normally has to be made through the person in prison and only after the prison’s own complaints process has been completed.

If you are worried about someone’s safety

Do not wait for the next visit if you think the person may be at risk of self-harm, suicide, violence, exploitation or another immediate danger.

Give clear information: the person’s name and prison number, what has caused your concern, when it happened, and any immediate risk you know about.

Key points to remember

Official sources and further support

This guidance is for England and Wales. Prison arrangements and local contact details can change, so check the relevant prison’s official information before travelling.