preston prison visit number

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.

Contact Information

Booking a visit to preston prison.

Unlimited Prison Phone Calls Package

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HMP Preston

• PFSO Support Worker (2x 15 hrs per Week)
• ‘Keeping Children Connected’ Conference
• HMP Thorn Cross
• PFSO Support Lead (Full Sutton)
• Family Support Worker
• Support Worker (HMP Buckley Hall)
• Family Service Lead (HMP Buckley Hall)
• Support Worker (HMP Full Sutton)
• HMP Haverigg
• Visitor Centre Support Worker
• Family Engagement Worker
• Women’s Support Worker
• Family Engagement Worker (HMP Fosse Way)
• Family Service Manager
• Play Worker – Preston
• Tea Bar Refreshments Worker
• Visit Centre Worker
• Bid Manager
• Visit Centre / Play Worker – HMP Garth
• Visit Centre – HMP Preston
• Visit Centre Support & Play Worker
• Visit Centre Support & Play Worker (HMP Lancaster Farms)
• Tea Bar Worker – Wakefield
• Play Worker – Fosse way
• Wellbeing Family Service Lead
• Lead Family Engagement Worker – HMP Manchester
• Lead Family Engagement
• Visit Centre / Play Worker – HMP Risley
• Visit Centre / Play Area Worker – HMP Manchester
• Women’s Support Centre Lead
• Visit Centre – HMP Fosse way
• Tea Bar Worker – HMP Fosseway
• Visit Centre / Play Worker – HMP Preston
• HMP Fosse Way
• Play Worker (HMP Fosse way)
• Visit Centre / Play Worker (HMP Wymott)
• Visit Centre – HMP Lancaster Farms
• Visit Centre/Refreshment Worker – HMP Lancaster Farms

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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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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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

Related posts

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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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Preston Prison

Tel: 01772 444550  –  2 Ribbleton Lane, Preston, Lancashire PR1 5AB

HMP Preston is located in the city itself and was originally built in the Victorian era, on a site occupied since the late 1700s. It’s a category B local prison, accepting young adults and adult males alike from the courts serving Lancashire and Cumbria. The establishment has a capacity of 750 and first became a local prison in 1990. If you plan to visit HMP Preston and want to find out how to get there, simply refer to the map on this page.

Tel: 01772 444550

Operational capacity: 750

2 Ribbleton Lane, Preston, Lancashire PR1 5AB

Prison Phone have been saving inmates at HMP Preston money on their calls from the prison to any UK mobile phone since 2013.

We do this by allocating a dedicated and secure local number to your mobile phone, this means when the inmate at Preston prison calls the new local number we have provided they will be charged at just the local landline rate (around 10p per minute) rather than the standard mobile rate (which is around 40p per minute).

This in turn helps to stretch the inmates PINS phone credit further and reduces the amount you need to send in for them to top up!

Send me Preston prison details via FREE SMS

Mobile number:

Here’s some facts about Preston Prison

HMP Preston is a category B men’s prison in Preston, Lancashire. There has been a prison on the site since 1790. The current building has capacity to hold 750 men.

The prison consists of wings A-D, F & G. A1 is the separation and care unit. A2 is the first night centre/substance misuse and stabilisation unit. A3, 4 & 5 hold the general population. B – vulnerable prisoner unit. C1 us the induction unit and first night centre. C2 the resettlement unit. C3 & 4 hold general population, as does D wing. F is the risk-assessed workers’ unit accommodating prison orderlies. G wing is the substance misuse recovery unit.

A prison worker , John Burch, was arrested in June 2016 for couriering prohibited items – like drugs, alcohol and mobile phones into HMP Preston.

To view the latest HMIP inspection report, click here .

Visiting hours are 14:00 – 16:00 Monday to Sunday.

A ‘predatory’ rapist was arrested, and jailed for twelve years.

The prison was used by the military from 1939 to 1948, before returning to civilian use.

Stephen French , ex-martial arts champion, was attacked with a snooker ball while on remand over rape charges.

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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HMP Preston

•    Community News
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Key Contact Details

HMP Preston is run by HMPS as part of the North West Region. It serves the courts of Lancashire and Cumbria and has a capacity of 680. The #1 governor is Daniel Cooper who has been in charge since May 2022.

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Prison - Preston Community Engagement Centre

HMP Preston

2 Ribbleton Lane

How to get support

01772 444930

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Archived: HMP Preston

Preston Prison, Ribbleton Lane, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 5AB (01924) 311400

Provided and run by: Spectrum Community Health C.I.C.

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HMP Preston

Preston Prison Ribbleton Lane Preston Lancashire PR1 5AB

(01924) 311400

https://www.spectrumhealth.org.uk

Inside Preston Prison: Rat-infested wings, poor living conditions and 'heavy-handed staff'

The most recent inspection of HMP Preston praised the new Governor of the structure for his "determination to address some negative outcomes for prisoners"

• 17:28, 18 SEP 2023

The latest news from across Preston

We have more newsletters

Inmates at Preston Prison face poor living conditions and are forced to share cells designed for one person while the jail has a large rat population.

Charlie Taylor, chief inspector at HM Inspectorate of Prisons for England and Wales, visited the prison in March this year. Although the inspectors found their visit to be "overall positive" they noted several issues including the availability of drugs and prison officers being violent towards inmates.

The report also highlights the prison's rat infestation while prisoners were living in shared cells where the toilets were inadequately screened. New prisoners were not allowed out of their cells for sufficient time and inmates were not able to book family visits due to issues with a new system.

READ MORE: 'You chose to be a monster' - woman's brave words to man who raped her in her own home as child slept in next room

The report, which was published in June, stated: "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 handed and disrespectful manner. We saw evidence of force being used inappropriately against prisoners, along with foul and abusive language.

"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."

The inspectors witnessed footage of violence being used inappropriately to restrain prisoners. They noted: "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.

"Pain-inducing methods were used inappropriately on prisoners who were compliant, and control and restraint techniques were poorly applied in one case. We saw incidents in which the prisoner was told not to speak during the restraint and when they did, staff responded by using more force than necessary. We also heard staff using foul and offensive language aimed at the prisoners which was unacceptable behaviour."

The inspectors did praise new governor Daniel Cooper, who started in May 2022, and who they said had introduced "a fresh vision and a determination to address some negative outcomes for prisoners".

They said: "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."

The report found that of the 680 prisoners housed at Preston at the time of their visit 220 were receiving support for substance abuse. Almost a third of prisoners said they did not feel safe and in the previous 12 months there had been 250 assaults.

• Most Recent

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• Crime, justice and law
• Prisons and probation

Wymott Prison

Wymott is a prison for men near Leyland, Lancashire, including men convicted of a sex offence.

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

Book and plan your visit to Wymott

To visit someone in Wymott you must:

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

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

There may be a limit to the number of visits a person can have. You can check this with Wymott.

Contact Wymott 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 Wymott
• somewhere to stay overnight

How to book family and friends visits

You can book your visit online or by telephone.

Booking line: 01772 442 234 Monday to Friday: 9am to 3pm Find out about call charges

Visiting times:

• Monday: 2:15pm to 3:45pm
• Tuesday: 2:15pm to 3:45pm
• Wednesday: 2:15pm to 3:45pm
• Thursday: 2:15pm to 3:45pm
• Friday: No Visits
• Saturday: 9am to 11am 
• Sunday:  9am to 11am

Visiting times are 1 hour slots and are subject to change. Visitors will be notified of any changes.

How to book legal and professional visits

You can only book by email to [email protected] .

• Tuesday and Thursdays: 9am to 11am

Getting to Wymott

Find Wymott on a map

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

The closest railway station is Leyland which is about 6 miles away from the prison. Taxis are available at the station, call 01772 424 242. The nearest minor station is Croston which is around 1 to 2 miles away, but there are limited facilities and there may not be any taxi’s, call 01772 600 489.

To plan your journey by public transport:

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

By Car from M6 (junction 28): Turn left, follow mini-roundabout, go straight across and follow road to traffic lights. Turn left, go through next set of lights, follow road round to right (leisure centre on left). At end, turn left and then immediately right. Follow road to end (mini-roundabout) and turn right. At next mini-roundabout, go straight across. Bear left into Slater Lane and go straight across at the traffic lights. Follow the road to the end and turn left. Garth is approximately one mile on the right (follow signs).

There is a free visitors car park and there is also a disabled visitors car park.

Entering Wymott

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.

Visitors must adhere to the prison dress code that applies, further details can be requested on your first visit.

There are strict controls on what you can take into Wymott. You will have to leave most of the things you have with you in a locker in the visitors’ centre or in your car - this includes pushchairs and car seats.

Call the booking line if you have any questions about visiting.

There is a visitor’s centre located between HMP Wymott and HMP Garth. Visitors must book in here first. You can leave items like mobile phones, cigarettes, food and drink etc. in lockers here while you have your visit. Visitors are required to produce Photographic ID and proof of address before being admitted to the prison and you will be searched by prison staff.

Please make sure you arrive at the visitors centre well before the time of your visit so that all the paperwork/formalities are completed.

There are strict controls on what you can take into Wymott. 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

There is a family-friendly visitors centre at Wymott which provides information and support to visitors. There will be no refreshments available during your visit and the chidren’s play area will not be available to use. The toilets are available.

The visitors centre is located between HMP Wymott and HMP Garth and all visitors are still required to book in here first. Free parking is available in the visitor’s car park.

Visitors Centre Opening Times:

• Monday to Friday: 12:30pm to 4:30pm
• Saturday and Sunday: 8:30am to 11:30am and 12:30pm to 4:30pm

Family days

HMP Wymott run regular family days throughout the year. Details on how these visits run can be found by contacting: [email protected] .

Keep in touch with someone at Wymott

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

Secure video calls

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

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

How to book a secure video call

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

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

Read more about how it works

Phone calls

Prisoners do not have phones in their cells so they will always have to call you. They have to buy phone credits to do this.

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 Wymott using the Email a Prisoner service .

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

You can write at any time.

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

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

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

People in Wymott are given a list of approved items that can be sent to them as gifts. Contact Wymott for more information on what’s allowed.

Any parcels or books that family and friends wish to send in, must have prior approval from Wymott before sending items into the prison.

Make sure to include the person’s name and prisoner number on the parcel.

All parcels will be opened and checked by officers.

Friends and families of prisoners are permitted to send books directly to their loved ones, or can order books from approved retailers, which can source and send the books on to prisoners.   For the full list of approved retailers, you can read the HMPPS Incentives Policy, Annex F .

To send a book to a prisoner at HMP Wymott, the prisoner will submit an application form to the Operations team, this will then be approved and the prisoner will be informed. The prisoner will then inform their loved ones that the book can be sent in.

By waiting for the reply this will ensure that the staff at the gate have prior knowledge of any parcels being sent resulting in them being accepted.

Please note staff on the gate need to have prior knowledge of items being sent.

Prisoners can order books directly from the approved suppliers as outlined in Annex F.

Life at Wymott

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

Security and safeguarding

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

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

Arrival and first night

When a prisoner first arrives at Wymott, 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.

Induction and first night interview is conducted on arrival at Wymott. All prisoners are screened by healthcare professionals and provided with an induction pack.

Each person who arrives at Wymott 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 1,100 prisoners are housed at Wymott across 11 units. Six of those units are reserved for men convicted of a sex offence.

Facilities include a sports hall, exercise equipment, weight room, assault course and outdoor sports field. There is a full programme of activities for all fitness levels.

Wymott has a diverse, multi-faith chaplaincy team providing support to all prisoners.

Education and work

HMP Wymott and Novus work in partnership to offer skills and qualifications to enable prisoners to gain employment and have a positive role in society. Employability and vocational training is accessible alongside functional English and Maths pass to level 2.

Prisoners have access to a broad range of vocational training, including engineering, welding, painting and decorating, bricklaying, joinery, industrial cleaning, fork lift truck driving, horticulture and catering. Each course can lead to an official qualification.

They can take classroom courses in subjects such as literacy and numeracy, IT, art and design, cookery, accountancy and history.

Wymott also runs a number of accredited offending behaviour programme courses.

VPs (vulnerable prisoners) can work at Wymott in occupations such as tailoring, laundry, welding, waste management, printing, retail, catering and horticulture.

Organisations Wymott works with

Wymott includes special facilities for elderly prisoners and those with disabilities provided in partnership with Age Concern.

Support for family and friends

Find out about advice and helplines for family and friends .

Support at Wymott

Family services at Wymott are provided by POPS .

Lancashire Violence Reduction Network are working with us and our regional group of prisons on a trauma informed approach to supporting children with a parent in prison in Lancashire.

To contact our Family and Significant Others lead email: [email protected] .

Concerns, problems and complaints

In an emergency.

Call 01772 442 000 if you think a prisoner is at immediate risk of harm. Ask for the Orderly Officer and explain that your concern is an emergency.

Problems and complaints

If you have any other problem contact Wymott .

Contact Wymott

Governor: Steve Pearson

Telephone: 01772 442 000 Fax: 01772 442 001 Find out about call charges

Follow Wymott on Twitter/X

You can get in touch with our social media team by email to [email protected]

HMP Wymott Ulnes Walton Lane Leyland Preston Lancashire PR26 8LW

Updated visiting information

Updated visiting guidance based on 1 April COVID rule changes

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

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

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

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

Clarification on the rules for sending in books, under the 'Gifts and parcels' section

New visiting times and booking information added.

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

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

Visits update

Updated visiting information in line with new local restriction tiers.

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

Updated visiting restrictions

Updated information about secure video calls.

Updated video call info

added survey link

First published.

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