visits in dovegate

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• Crime, justice and law
• Prisons and probation

Dovegate Prison

Dovegate is a privately run male prison in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire.

Dovegate prison is now offering visits for family, friends and significant others.

You can also contact the Prisoners’ Families Helpline on 0808 808 2003. You will not be able to book a visit using this number.

Dovegate is managed by Serco.

For details on when and how to arrange visits, understand how the prison is run and how to get in contact, visit Dovegate Prison .

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

Updated physical contact guidance

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.

Updated visiting information in line with new local restriction tiers.

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

Updated: Dovegate prison visiting information in line with coronavirus restrictions.

Prisons visits update

First published.

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Hmp dovegate.

• Inside Time Reports
• 13th December 2014
• Male Cat. B , Prison Visit , West Midlands

Prison information

Address: HMP DOVEGATE Moreton Lane, Marchington Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, ST14 8XR Switchboard: 01283 829400 Managed by: HMPPS Region: Staffordshire Category: Link to: https://www.serco.com/uk/sector-expertise/justice/hmp-dovegate

Description

HMP Dovegate is a Category B adult male facility near Uttoxeter, Staffordshire. Serco cares for up to 1060 male adult prisoners over the age of 21 serving a range of sentences including trial, remand, those awaiting sentence and convicted men serving long and short term sentences.

Visit Booking: Online

Use this online service to book a social visit to a prisoner in England or Wales you need the:

• prisoner number
• prisoner’s date of birth
• dates of birth for all visitors coming with you

The prisoner must add you to their visitor list before you can book a visit.

You’ll get an email confirming your visit. It takes 1 to 3 days.

ID: Every visit

Children’s Visits:

Acceptable forms of ID

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Hmp dovegate – therapeutic community (tc), rewarding dungeon, prisons: the good, the bad and the ugly, 89 staff dismissed for relationships, prisons stop photocopying mail, question in the house, un-christian cards, something missing or outdated.

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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3 thoughts on “ hmp dovegate ”.

please help us fight this injustice ipp is very wrong to take away a man or womans right to know when they are to be free most have done their time but still dont know when or if they can go home some day this surely is against their human rights give us as mothers and parteners some hope [pp was abolished yet our loved ones are forgotton we need to know when they are freed please help us fight this injustice in the law

I have been calling and been trying to email, the email is not going through.I want to know where is postal belonging to my brother, this is my right, there are not giving the answere. If the money is still there I need confirmation on email. So alternatively we can prossse the money to him in HIS current prison in Oakwood.

I am feeling frustrated as I have been trying to confirm a visit my son, the prisoner, booked having tried the website three times I have had no response despite asking for confirmation or otherwise of the visit. I have also ‘phoned thru out the day to be told the office is close, the queue is full and to try later and still had no response. My son will be disappointed not to have a visit and I cannot inform him. Is this common at Dovegate

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HM Prison Dovegate

Table of Contents

HM Prison Dovegate is a Category B private men’s prison located near Uttoxeter in Staffordshire, England. The prison first opened in 2001 and is operated by Serco Group under a 25-year private finance initiative (PFI) contract with the Ministry of Justice. With a capacity of over 1,100 inmates, Dovegate holds convicted adult male prisoners serving sentences of 4 years or more with at least 18 months left to serve. The prison has faced controversies and criticisms over issues like self-harm rates, conditions and lack of access to education. However, Dovegate aims to provide training and rehabilitation programs to prepare prisoners for successful reintegration after release.

History and Background

His Majesty’s Prison Dovegate was constructed under a Private Finance Initiative contract between the UK Government and Serco Group. Serco was awarded a 25-year “Design, Build and Manage” contract to finance, design, construct and operate the prison. Construction began in 1999 on a greenfield site near the village of Marchington, close to Uttoxeter. The prison officially opened in July 2001 with an initial capacity of about 860 inmates.

In 2009, a new accommodation block called “Dovegate Therapeutic Community” was built, increasing capacity by 200 places. Further facilities were also added, allowing Dovegate to hold convicted prisoners as well as up to 130 remand (pre-trial) prisoners from local Stoke and Newcastle-under-Lyme courts.

Location and Capacity

HM Prison Dovegate is located off the A50 between Uttoxeter and Derby, near Marchington village. The prison’s official address is Prison Road, Marchington, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire ST14 8LN. Geographically, the coordinates are 52.8713°N 1.7809°W.

The current operational capacity of Dovegate is 1,160 adult male inmates. The main prison houses 860 prisoners, while the Therapeutic Community unit has 200 places. Dovegate is a Category B prison, meaning it holds prisoners who do not need maximum security but are unlikely to try to escape.

Security Category and Prisoner Profile

As a Category B prison, Dovegate houses male prisoners who do not require maximum security but for whom escape needs to be made very difficult. Prisoners tend to be serving sentences of 4 years or more, with at least 18 months left to serve. They may have committed violent or non-violent crimes but are not considered particularly high risk or dangerous.

The majority of prisoners are adult men aged 21 and over. About 10% are under 21 years old and held separately on dedicated young offender wings. Very few prisoners are over the age of 65. Most identify as White British, with a minority of Black, Asian and minority ethnic prisoners.

Facilities and Regime

Facilities at HMP Dovegate include educational classrooms, a library, gymnasium, sports hall, multi-faith room, workshops, healthcare facility and kitchens. There are also recreation areas, playing fields, a visitor center and shop. The prison aims to provide purposeful activity and training opportunities to benefit prisoners.

Accommodation and Housing Units

Prisoner accommodation comprises 7 main residential units or “wings” holding up to 130 inmates each. There is also a Care & Separation Unit and Healthcare Centre. Wings have a mix of single and double cells with shared showers and toilet facilities. Cells contain a bed, toilet, washbasin, cabinet and TV. Some cells have phones. The Therapeutic Community has its own dedicated housing.

Education and Vocational Training

The prison’s Education Department delivers literacy, numeracy, IT, ESOL and employability skills training. There is also distance learning, with some inmates studying Open University courses. Vocational workshops include welding, industrial cleaning, laundry, recycling, gardening and painting & decorating. Apprenticeships are available in areas like barbering, industrial cleaning and business administration.

Healthcare and Wellbeing

Dovegate has an inpatient Healthcare Centre staffed by doctors, nurses and other professionals 24/7. Primary care, mental health services and social care are provided. There is also a gymnasium, sports hall and playing fields to promote physical health. Support is available for addiction and substance misuse issues.

Faith and Pastoral Care

A multi-faith room caters for religious observance and prayer. Chaplaincy includes Church of England, Roman Catholic, Muslim and other faith leaders. Pastoral care and counselling is offered to all prisoners regardless of religion. Special diets are available for religious, cultural, ethical and medical needs.

Visits and Family Contact

Visits take place daily in the main visits hall and private family rooms. Special children’s visits allow extended contact in a child-friendly environment. Secure video calling is also available. Additional family support is provided by trained staff and charities. Maintaining family ties is seen as crucial for rehabilitation.

Controversies and Criticisms

As a private prison, Dovegate has faced scrutiny and some controversies around standards, access to services and privatization.

Self-Harm and Suicide Rates

Dovegate has seen high rates of self-harm and suicide relative to other jails. In 2018, there were over 1400 reported incidents of self-harm. Campaigners say inadequate staffing and mental health support are contributing factors.

Overcrowding and Poor Conditions

With high occupancy rates, critics say Dovegate struggles with overcrowding and maintaining decent physical conditions. In 2015, inspectors found damaged cells, broken windows and shortages of clean clothes and bedding.

Lack of Access to Education

HM Inspectorate and charities have noted inconsistent access to basic education as well as delays in prisoner assessments to identify learning needs. This hinders rehabilitation efforts.

Private vs Public Debate

Some criticize the privatized model, saying profits are prioritized over rehabilitation. But others argue private jails like Dovegate enable the justice system to provide adequate prison places.

Inspections and Scrutiny

As part of the contract, Dovegate is subject to regular scrutiny and inspection by bodies like HM Inspectorate of Prisons. While issues are found on inspections, the prison generally achieves acceptable performance ratings under its targets. The operators say they strive to implement improvements recommended by inspectors.

While not without its difficulties and critics, HM Prison Dovegate continues to play an important role in the UK justice system. Going forward, improving safety, conditions and purposeful activity for prisoners will be key priorities. Effective rehabilitation programs and partnerships with public and voluntary agencies can help Dovegate achieve its aims of reducing reoffending and protecting the public.

What type of prison is Dovegate?

Dovegate is a Category B men’s private prison, holding convicted prisoners serving 4+ year sentences with at least 18 months left to serve.

Who owns and operates Dovegate Prison?

Dovegate is owned by the government but operated by Serco Group under a 25-year PFI contract awarded in 1999. Serco is responsible for finance, design, construction and operation.

How many inmates does Dovegate hold?

The current capacity is around 1,160 prisoners. The main prison houses 860 inmates, while the Therapeutic Community unit has 200 places.

What facilities are provided at the prison?

Facilities include housing units, classrooms, workshops, a library, gym, healthcare facility, kitchens, visits center, multi-faith room, and sports/recreation areas.

What rehabilitation and training programs are offered?

Prisoners can access education courses, vocational training in trades, ESOL classes, apprenticeships and Open University courses to gain skills.

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HMP Dovegate, General Information

Dovegate opened in 2001. In September 2009, new accommodation was opened to increase capacity, with half the 260 spaces dedicated to local prisoner places. It is run by Serco. It is split into 2 units, the main prison housing 960 and the Therapeutic Community having a capacity of 200. The #1 governor is Andy Johnson, who has been in charge since December 2022.

A therapeutic community (TC) is where people choose to live together, support each other, challenge others and be challenged on all aspects of their offending. It aims to alter people’s way of thinking, enabling them to change their lives for the better. The TCs were run democratically, which meant that where possible all members of the community are involved in making decisions that affected the community. Prisoners were encouraged to playan active role in the community and a variety of roles and representative jobs were available. Communities were learning experiences and everything was designed to have therapeutic value and provide men with an opportunity to develop within a safe environment.

The prison is part of the West Midlands Region.

The accommodation in the main prison is:

• A wing General wing
• B wing General wing
• C wing General wing
• D wing General wing
• E wing General wing
• F wing General wing
• G wing General wing
• H wing General wing
• J wing General wing
• K wing Cellular confinement and accommodation for prisoners aged 50+
• L wing General wing
• M wing Integrated drug treatment system (IDTS) wing
• N wing Remand prisoners
• P wing Vulnerable prisoner unit

The Therapeutic Community is houses in 6 two-storey residential units: four hold 40 men and two hold 20. All cells are single occupancy with en-suite facilities.

Return to HMP Dovegate

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29 thoughts on “hmp dovegate, general information”.

How much money can I send to a prisoner a week, that’s on remand?

There are 2 answers to the question! You can send as much as you like ( common sense prevailing of course!) but the money will not all be made availabe for the prisoner to spend immediately. Money will be “transferrred” from the priosner’s holding account to the “private account” at various rates, depending on which prison your friend is in; so if for example you send £50, this could be made available for 5 weeks at £10 a week. If the prisoner is “working” in the prison their wages get added to the private account each week, ie if they are “paid” £20, they would get £20+£10=£30 added to their private account each week which they can spend.

My son has 19months left at dovegate he was a class c prisoner at previous 2 establishment but got dumped here when coming from court just as 1st lockdown came , hes done everything by book here yet they still seem to be victimising him ,.just had call he was down block last night as they saying he incited a fight ,he is admitting he didn’t know a thing ,then today gets told he got to be moved 5 of them to C wing or spend 14days block he went back to get his stuff to find tv,stereo n a box he made me smashed by officers, and told by officer to stop getting me calling priest but he appears the one that actually listens to us n prisoners without judging . Im angry

Hi, It would be worthwhile contacting the IMB at Dovegate, they are independent of the prison and will be able to investigate on your behalf if appropriate.

Be happy your son is in such an excellent prison. Try try Stoke heath in 1996 or hmp moorland in 2000. You lad is happy as Larry. Trust me, if he is moaning about dovegate then I reckon he might have learned his lesson. Imagine starting on basic and not being able to get off. Jail used to be like the police station with a gladiator school but now its a cakewalk.

MY partners been remanded in custody until Nov 22nd wen his plea hearing takes place. Iv not been told where/ how he is nor his prisoner number. Iv contacted the pc in charge of his case but she says its out of her jurisdiction and with the courts now, how can I find out?

Hi, Your first port of call should be his lawyers who will know where he was sent. If they can’t help contact the courts and they will be able to tell. If the courts won’t help you may be able to work it out, i.e. Nottingham Courts send remand prisoners (usually) to Nottingham Prison. If that fails try [email protected] , and that will find him, but its not nearly as quick a solution. Once you know where he is ring the prison reception and they may tell you his prison #, but its a bit pot luck as they may defer to data protection, ‘elf and safety, privacy etc etc! Remember that as a remand prisoner he is entitle to almost limitless visits, he will have been told this during his interview in reception at the prison, but stress make people forget things

Hi a friend of mine went into prison this Thursday I’m just wondering how long it takes to get your prison number

The issuing of prison number will have occurred almost immediately as part of his induction process> Your friend would have been photographed by the reception officers for his identity card and the number will be shown on that. If he has been to prison before, he will retain his “old” number.

My son will most likely start his sentence with you on P wing. He has never been to prison before. Please can you tell me what he can bring in with him ie electric shaver, radio headphones clothes etc Regards

Hi, Firstly please note that we have no connection with HMPS, we are an independent organisation just trying to give people unbiased and factual information.

The stark reality is that as a new prisoner your son will probably be instructed to wear prison issue clothing, and any clothing/items he brings in with him will be placed in stored property and he will ony be allowed access to these as he progresses thru the IEP ( incentive earned privelige) system. Any cash he has with him will be paid into his “private account” and drip fed weekly into his “spends account” so he can buy luxuries like phone credit,stamp or a decent toothbrush. The most important thing is to ensure he has written down the phone #’s and addresses of family/friends so that he can stay in contact. Nowadays all this information is stored on our phones so we don’t need to remember them, that doesn’t work in prison. There are various organisiations which allow you to email your son while he is in prison, and you can set up a phone link so he can call you without burning up his limited ( and expensive) phone credit. Details are available on the web site.

Above information is somewhat out of date and incorrect now.

G wing was made a General wing in July 2014.

H wing was made a General wing in September 2018.

P wing was made the Vulnerable Prisoners wing since September 2018.

Hi, Firstly please note that we have no connection with HMPS, we are an independent organisation just trying to give people unbiased and factual information. We appreciate the information, and we have updated the we site accordingly

Thanks again, and if you see anything else out of date (or just plain wrong!) please let us know

I believe at present (to the best of my knowledge):

G wing is a Long-term wing.

J wing is a Lifers wing.

L wing is a General wing (2 years and under, unemployed).

M wing is Integrated drug treatment system (IDTS) / Remand / Mental Health prisoners.

N wing is First Night Wing / Inductions / Remand.

Thank you for the information. We have contacted Dovegate for an update on who is housed in each wing

My son serving in hmp dovegate we rang to inform them to tell him his nanna had died ,it took 2days for them to tell him we arranged via them for him to watch her funeral service yesterday they had all info assured us it would happen, hes rang yesterday totally angry bitter as they cocked up FAILED TO get him to see it. I’ve wrote complaint and need who to send to as I will show them.up. like lads not told 10min free daily calls whilst banged up covid19.

Firstly please note that we have no connection with HMPS, we are an independent organisation just trying to give people unbiased and factual information. i am sorry for your loss. You could send your letter of compliant to the #1 governor, John Hewitson, or Sarah Tiffin if your son is in the Therapeutic Community unit. The address is available on our web site

How much money can a prisoner spend a week ?

It depends on how much money they have! Each prisoner has 2 accounts, “Private” and “Spends” Money you send into the prisoner will gp straight into his Private Account, and will be transfered weekly into his Spends Account. The amount transferred will depend on their status, Basic regime prisoners may only get £5 a week transfered, Super Enhanced £25 a week. Any money the prisoner earns from their prison “job” goes into their spends account weekly. When its in the Spends account the prisoner can spend all in 1 go if they like, either on phone credit, canteen or on catalogue shopping. The prison officers do monitor what is spent, so a diminuitave 5ft2″ prisoner ordering size 13 trainers will raise question as to whether the prisoner is buying on behalf of another (not allowed) or is being bullied/threatened etc

Who do I need to contact at hmp dovegate my son rang and left a message today It seems from his voice that he was under the influence of some drug Someone was telling him to put the phone down officer I presume and some other people were laughing As my son is in prison for drug related crime and also has mental health issues I worried as I didn’t expect him to be able to get drugs in prison and the time he spent in there would give him chance to get clean

Maureen, We are an independent web site, with no connection with Dovegate.

Regretably, I fear your concerns may be well founded as it is quite easy to get drugs while in prison. The staff do their utmost to shut off the supply routes but product is still brought in by those newly committed, visitors, drones and “throw-overs” and, on rare occassions, by corrupt prison employees. Dovegate do have “drug free wings” where all the inmates are, or are striving, to be drug free, and considerable help will be made available to your son to assist in breaking the habit, but the willpower to quit has to be his alone.

To allay your concerns call the prison, the main switchboard number is on the web site, and ask to speak to either the Duty Governor/Director or the Orderly Officer. They should be able to tell you what procedures are in place to address the problem.

Hi I had a call 2 weeks ago of a female prison officer and said my boyfriend xxxxx xxxxx would be contacting me shortly but haven’t heard anything of him and I’m really concerned could you please ask him to get in touch with me thanks, my mobile number 07984xxxxxx.

DoingTime has no contact with HMP Dovegate, we are an independent web site.

You could try calling the prison direct (the phone number is on our web site), but I suspect you will be told “we are not his secretarial service, if he wants to ring you he will ring you”. You may get as sympathetic officer, but I wouldn’t be holding my breathe. The quickest way to make contact with him is via email. Go to https://doingtime.co.uk/how-prisons-work/life-behind-the-wall-doingtime/post-and-phone/ and follow the links to the external company which provides this service, or rely on good old fashioned snail mail.

Sorry we can’t be more helpful

I’ve had the same last week and heard nothing back. Just wondering if you did call and they gave you any info or if it was just a waste of time

Is there a wing for young Adults with autism. My son will need a lot of Surport .

Susan, DoingTime is an independent web-site, with no formal connection with the prison service, but as far as we are aware there is no specific wing at Dovegate (or at any other prison) specifically for people on the autistic spectrum. If you are concerned I would suggest you contact HMP Dovegate direct, their number is 01283 829400. Dovegate does have a Therapeutic Community unit, so unlike some old fashioned prisons they are likely to, at worst, at least understand your concerns. Andy

I am worried my son as caught TB from somebody that was in contact with him at a nother prison before dovegate this person has been diagnosed with TB and the public health team from Hmp Hewell had rung the Hereford county hospital to inform them this and asked if my son could have a screening iv told the hospital my son is at Hmp dovegate and she as sent an email to tell them this I have told the health team about this at dovegate my son is showing some of the symptoms that she mentioned I am very concerned about this what is the prisons procedure to deal with this . As I’m worried for my sons health .

Sorry for the delay in replying, we wanted to check out a few things so as to be able to give you some real information.

Firstly, DoingTime has no connection with the prison service, we are an independent web site just trying to help people!

Clearly you have already told HMP Dovegate’s medical team , and I assume you have also told your son so that he is aware of the situation. It would be worthwhile following this up with a letter to them, so the message doesn’t just get lost. There is not a lot more you can do; HMP Dovegate probably wont tell you any details of medical checks they have carried out on your son ( patient confidentiality etc). The only person who can effectively push for treatment/screening is your son; make sure he has all the pertinent facts so he can brief HMP Dovegate’s doctors.

However, its not all negative news! The prison service has faults, but the reality is that it is easier to get a doctors appointment in prison than for most people on the outside, and if there is a potential problem they will react quickly.

Hope its “just a scare” and your son is ok

Could I please arrange a visit to Michael xxxxxx (on remand at P wing (I believe)).He is being held on alleged Arson charge.I used to visit Michael,as a support worker,and have written a letter to him recently.As a consequence I received a phone call,from a female officer Ms xxxx (?),on my answer phone.The message was a week ago.Could I pass on my home telephone number,which gives a much better reception Tell Michael he can contact me on this number in the evening.Many thanks John Rxxxx Tel:01782 xxxxxx Mob: 0783 xxx xxxx

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Dovegate Prison Information

• Accommodation: The prison consists of 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: Dovegate Prison offers educational programs to help inmates improve their literacy, numeracy, and other skills. Vocational training opportunities are provided to enhance employment prospects upon release.
• Workshops and Employment: Inmates have access to workshops where they can engage in various activities such as woodworking, metalwork, and other vocational programs. These activities aim to develop skills and potential employment options within the prison.
• Healthcare: Dovegate Prison has an on-site healthcare unit staffed with medical professionals who offer primary healthcare services to prisoners. Mental health support and substance abuse programs are also available.
• Sports and Physical Activities: The prison promotes physical fitness and well-being by providing access to sports facilities and organized activities. These activities aim to develop teamwork, discipline, and positive lifestyle choices.
• Family Contact: The prison recognizes the importance of maintaining family relationships and offers opportunities for visits and contact with family members, subject to specific guidelines and regulations.
• Chaplaincy Services: Dovegate Prison has chaplains representing different faiths who offer religious support and guidance to prisoners.

Contact Information

Booking a visit to dovegate prison.

Unlimited Prison Phone Calls Package

• Mon: 13:45 – 16:45
• Wed: 09:00 – 12:00 (VP unit) & 13:45 – 16:45
• Thu: 13:45 – 16:45 (VP unit)
• Fri: 13:45 – 16:45
• Sat: 09:00 – 12:00 & 13:00 – 17:00
• Sun: 09:00 – 12:00 & 13:00 – 17:00

Dovegate Prison

Tel: 01283 829400  –  Uttoxeter, Staffordshire ST14 8XR

HMP Dovegate first opened in 2001. Since then, it has been privately managed by Serco and currently has the capacity to hold 1060 prisoners. It is a category B establishment , housing adult male prisoners, and holds those serving a sentence of 4 years or more, with at least 18 months remaining. The education department on the prison offers full and part time courses for up to 126 prisoners. If you’re visiting HMP Dovegate, you can get directions using the map on this page.

Tel: 01283 829400

Operational capacity: 1060 as of February 2013

Uttoxeter, Staffordshire ST14 8XR

The Prison Phone service has been running since 2013 and since that time has helped many of the inmates at Dovegate prison to stay in touch with their friends and family aiding in their rehabilitation.

To find out how Prison Phone are reducing the cost of calls from the HMP Dovegate pay phones to any UK mobile phone just take a look at the short video we have put together.

Send me Dovegate prison details via FREE SMS

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Here’s some facts about Dovegate Prison

HMP Dovegate is a category B privately managed prison which holds up to 1060 male prisoners. Opened in 2001, the prison has managed by Serco since then. It is located in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire.

According to the most recent inspection report , the prison has three living blocks. House block 1 is made up of A – E General wings. House block 2 contains F and J general wings, and G general wing for long-term prisoners , H vulnerable prisoner unit and K cellular confinement and accommodation for prisoners aged 50 and over. House block 3 contains L and P general wings, M integrated drug treatment system (IDTS) wing and N remand prisoners and first night centre.

A prisoner was believed to be describing his stay in prison like a holiday on Facebook

Visiting hours are between 1300-1630 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri) 1330-1645 (Sat),  0930-1230 &    1330-1645 (Sun) for the main prison. For the rest of the prison, visit www.hmpdovegate.co.uk

HMP Dovegate has a therapeutic community for repeat serious offenders. This is the only privately run therapeutic community in the country.

Haroon Ahmed escaped HMP Dovegate after committing violent robbery .

The prison was significantly expanded in 2009.

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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Prisons · Staffordshire

Overcrowding.

Certified Normal Accommodation (CNA): 1060

Population: 1149

Dovegate is a Serco-run category B private prison near Uttoxeter. The site hosts a separate Therapeutic Community separated from the main prison by an internal fence.

Read Dovegate’s latest inspection report here.

About this information

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

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

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

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

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

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

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• / HMP Dovegate - settled, well-run and safer

HMP Dovegate - settled, well-run and safer

HMP Dovegate, near Uttoxeter in Staffordshire, was found to have made some notable progress over the last two years, becoming a safer prison.

Inspectors visited the training and local parts of the prison in September and October 2019. Its specialist therapeutic centre is inspected separately.

Peter Clarke, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, said: “In comparison to our inspection in 2017, we are pleased to report that this inspection found some notable improvements. Outcomes in safety and rehabilitation and release planning, like respect, were now reasonably good, although they remained insufficiently good in purposeful activity.”

Dovegate was safer than in 2017. More prisoners said they felt safe on their first night than inspectors usually find in similar prisons, with other evidence suggesting this positive sense of safety continued throughout their stay.

“Work was in place to address violence, although more needed to be done to ensure it was sufficiently impactful, as the number of violent incidents, some of them serious, continued to fluctuate,” Mr Clarke said. After reaching a peak in 2018, violence had fallen in the months before the inspection. Much of the violence was linked to drugs and debt.

Prisoners felt reasonably incentivised to behave and engage with the prison and the number of formal disciplinary adjudications had halved since the last inspection. Staff use of force had similarly fallen. However, despite a comprehensive strategy to tackle illicit drugs, they remained a key concern. “We were told that since we last inspected there had been two deaths linked to the use of illicit substances and a further three self-inflicted deaths,” Mr Clarke said. The level of self-harm, in contrast, was relatively low.

Supervision was generally good and staff-prisoner relationships constructive, and the prison was clean and well maintained. Access to amenities and kit was good. About a quarter of prisoners were locked in cell during the working day although this was the case predominantly in the local part of the prison, with the proportion falling to 16% on the training wings. There were enough activity places for most prisoners.

Support for prisoners to maintain family ties was encouraging, with enhanced family visits arrangements. Family support and parenting courses were also available. The prison held many “high risk of harm” prisoners serving long sentences. Inspectors assessed that its public protection arrangements, including planning for release, were robust and offending behaviour work was well managed. A regular multidisciplinary meeting to discuss high-risk release cases was good practice.

Support for the considerable number of prisoners being released needed to be better, however, with meaningful reviews of resettlement needs and plans prior to departure currently lacking and many individuals being released without a settled address.

Despite this, Mr Clarke said:

“We found the prison settled. Prisoners were confident and engaged, and staff were knowledgeable. The Director and his team were ensuring the prison was well run and we had every confidence that the establishment would continue to improve.”

Phil Copple, HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) Director General for Prisons, said:

“It is encouraging that this report has found good progress at Dovegate in many areas, with levels of violence falling in recent months. Searches have been stepped up to tackle drug use and prisoners are being well prepared for release. There is still work to be done, but I am pleased inspectors have the confidence in Serco and their staff to deliver further improvements.”

– END –

Notes to editors 1. A copy of the full report, published on 13 February 2020, can be found on the HM Inspectorate of Prisons website at: www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmiprisons/inspections

2. HM Inspectorate of Prisons is an independent inspectorate, inspecting places of detention to report on conditions and treatment, and promote positive outcomes for those detained and the public.

3. Located near Uttoxeter in Staffordshire and built in 2001, HMP Dovegate, a privately-run prison operated by SERCO, is a modern and complex institution that comprises a self-contained therapeutic community (TC), a separate training prison for category B prisoners and a small local prison function. It holds up to 960 adult men. This inspection concerned only the training and local prison functions at the establishment as the TC is inspected separately. Dovegate opened in 2001. In September 2009, new accommodation opened to increase capacity, with half the 260 new spaces dedicated to local prisoners. The prison holds adult prisoners over the age of 21 serving a range of sentences including trial, remand, those awaiting sentence and convicted men serving short and long-term sentences.

4. HM Inspectorate of Prisons assesses adult prisons against four ‘healthy prison tests’ – safety, respect, purposeful activity and rehabilitation and release planning. There are four assessments – good (4), reasonably good (3), not sufficiently good (2) and poor (1). In 2017, Dovegate scored 2-3-2-2. In 2019 it scored 3-3-2-3.

5. Notable features from this inspection: Dovegate was an unusual category B training prison as it held a number of prisoners on remand and serving very short sentences; 70% of the population were serving sentences of 10 years or more and nearly a third were serving indeterminate sentences; three-quarters of the population were assessed as presenting either a high or very high risk of serious harm to others and half were convicted of violence as their main offence; 17% of those responding to our survey reported that they had an alcohol problem when they arrived at Dovegate compared to 9% in other category B training prisons; 73% of prisoners were under 40 years old; and 10% of prisoners were foreign nationals.

6. This unannounced inspection took place between 30 September and 11 October 2019.

7. Please contact John Steele at HM Inspectorate of Prisons on 07880 787452, or at [email protected], if you would like more information.

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Our locations

We provide quality healthcare to patients residing in the below secure environments.

HMP Altcourse

Switchboard:  0151 522 2000

Safer Custody Helpline

Prisoners’ Families Helpline: 0808 808 2003

If you are enquiring to confirm if a friend or relative is within our custody then please email  [email protected] .

Visiting the prison

Booking a visit – domestic visits (family and 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 three days in advance.

Prisoners can book up to three adult visitors per session and three 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.

More information

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 at 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 working days (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 six 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
• 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 fingerprints taken. 

Booking a visit – legal/officials only

Our dedicated booking line is staffed: Monday to Friday between 8.30am-4.30pm.

Official visitors can book by phone or via email:

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 0151 522 2196 or 0151 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.

HMP & YOI Askham Grange

Switchboard:  0190 477 2000

Worried or concerned about a loved one?

If you have concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a woman at HMP & YOI Askham Grange , call the safer custody hotline on  0190 477 2026 .

How to keep in touch:

If you have a loved one in HMP & YOI Askham Grange you can email them via  email a prisoner .

Visiting information:

Visiting HMP & YOI Askham Grange or need to know how to book a visit? You can find out visiting information  here .

You can also email the families team at HMP Askham Grange directly here:  [email protected] .

More information:

For more information, support and advice on all aspects of the justice system, you can contact the Prisoners’ Families Helpline on  0808 808 2003  (9am – 8pm Monday to Friday and 10am – 3pm at the weekend).

Children Heard and Seen supports children, young people and their families, who are impacted by parental imprisonment. If you would like to find out more about their services, you can contact them here:  [email protected] .

HMP Belmarsh

Switchboard:  020 8331 4400

If you have concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a prisoner in Belmarsh, call the safer custody hotline and leave a message. Someone will call you back within 24 hours.

Telephone: 0208 331 4890 Monday to Friday, 8am-4pm, weekends from 8am-12noon.

In an emergency, call 0208 331 4781 or 0208 331 4866 .

[email protected]

All visitors, aged 16 or older must prove their identity before entering the prison. All visitors will need to be given a pat-down search, including children. On your first visit, you will have your photo taken. You may have your fingerprints taken and an eye scan. You may also be sniffed by security dogs.

Belmarsh has a strict dress code policy, which means visitors should wear smart, family-friendly clothes (no ripped clothing, no vests, no low-cut tops, no shorts, no short dresses, no sports team clothing, no watches, only minimal jewellery, no offensive slogans and no headwear, other than that worn for religious reasons).

Refreshments are available during your visit.

There are strict controls on what you can take into Belmarsh. You will have to leave most of the things you have with you in a locker (you will need a £1 coin) 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 run by the  Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT) .

Visitors should arrive to the visitors centre to book in for a visit. There is a tea bar in the visitor’s centre outside the prison and a full tea bar inside the main visits hall.

There is also a small play area in the visits centre and a larger staffed creche area in side the main visits hall.

Prisoners’ property can be handed in on a visit by application.

PACT Telephone: 0208 317 3888 Email:  [email protected]

Family days

Belmarsh is running one family day session per month.

More Information

You can  book your visit online , by email to  [email protected]  or by telephone

You can also register to use the  secure video calls  service.

Telephone booking line: 0208 331 4760 or 020 8331 4750 The booking line is open Monday to Friday, 9:30am-3pm Find out about call charges

You can arrive up to one hour before the time of your visit to go through security and check in.

Parking is limited so please arrive with plenty of time to park or use local transport.

All visits must be booked in advance. Only those visitors whose details have been listed on the Prisoner’s Authorisation Contact List (as provided by the prisoner) and those who are named on the booking will be allowed entry into the prison.

Prison staff cannot add visitor(s) to a Prisoner’s Authorisation Contact List without the consent/authorisation of a Prisoner.

Visiting times:

• Tuesday to Thursday: 9:15am-10:45am, 2:15pm-3:45pm
• Friday: 9:15am-10:45am
• Saturday: 9:30am-11:30am, 2:15pm-4:15pm
• Sunday: 2:15pm-4:15pm

HMP & YOI Brinsford

Switchboard:  0190 253 3450

If you are worried about a resident at HMP & YOI Brinsford , you can call the 24-hour safer custody helpline on  0190 253 3565 .

If you have a loved one in HMYOI Brinsford you can email them via  email a prisoner .

Visiting HMYOI Brinsford or need to know how to book a visit? You can find out visiting information  here .

Barnardo’s runs the visitor’s centre at Brinsford. Trained, experienced staff are available during visit sessions to help families. They will also give people information about the range of support services available in the local community.

The team includes a dedicated family engagement worker and a child support worker who have specific roles. These roles include child activity and community support, as well as help for prisoners in repairing difficult or damaged family relationships. You can call the visits centre on  0138 441 1722  for more information.

HMP Brixton

Switchboard:  0208 588 6000

If you have concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a man in HMP Brixton , call the safer custody hotline. Leave as much information as possible about the resident and your concerns, as well as your contact details. You may not receive a callback but the resident may be asked to contact you if appropriate. Telephone:  0208 588 6156 .

If you have a loved one in HMP Brixton you can email them via  email a prisoner .

Visiting HMP Brixton or need to know how to book a visit? You can find out visiting information  here .

You can also contact the Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT) Family Workers at HMP Brixton directly by emailing  [email protected] .

HMP Bullingdon

Switchboard:  0186 935 3100

If you have concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a man in HMP Bullingdon , call the safer custody hotline on 01869 356893. Leave as much information as possible about the resident and your concerns, as well as your contact details. You may not receive a callback but the resident may be asked to contact you if appropriate.

If you have a loved one in HMP Bullingdon you can email them via  email a prisoner .

Visiting HMP Bullingdon or need to know how to book a visit? You can find out visiting information here: https://www.prisonadvice.org.uk/hmp-bullingdon

You can also email the family services team at HMP Bullingdon directly by emailing [email protected].

Children Heard and Seen support children, young people and their families, who are impacted by parental imprisonment. If you would like to find out more about their services, you can contact them here:  [email protected] .

Switchboard:  0160 332 6000

If you have concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a man in HMP Bure , call the safer custody hotline on  0160 332 6012 . The phone line is monitored 24 hours a day and all calls are treated as confidential.

If you have a a loved one in HMP Bure you can email them via  email a prisoner .

Visiting HMP Bure or need to know how to book a visit? You can find out visiting information  here .

HMP & YOI Doncaster

Switchboard:  0808 808 2003

In an emergency, or if you are concerned about a man’s safety, health or wellbeing in HMP & YOI Doncaster please contact the prison on  01302 760870  and ask to speak to the Orderly Officer stating your concern is an emergency. You can also visit w ww.prisonersfamilies.org/hmp-doncaster and submit a safer custody form.

If you have a loved one in HMP & YOI Doncaster you can email them via  email a prisoner .

HMP Dovegate

Switchboard:  0128 382 9400

If you are concerned about a prisoner’s safety, health or well-being please contact the prison on  0128 382 9400  at any time. This number is manned 24 hours a day.

If you have a loved one in HMP Dovegate you can email them via  email a prisoner .

HMP & YOI Drake Hall

Switchboard:  0178 577 4100

If you have safety, health or well-being concerns about a woman in HMP & YOI Drake Hall please call the Safer Custody team on  0178 577 4217 .

You can also email the team at HMP Drake Hall directly by emailing  [email protected] .

If you have a loved one in HMP & YOI Drake Hall you can email them via  email a prisoner .

Visiting HMP & YOI Drake Hall or need to know more information about how to book a visit? You can find the most up-to-date visit information  here .

You can also email the family services team at HMP Drake Hall directly by emailing  [email protected] .

HMP Featherstone

Switchboard:  0190 270 3000

If you are concerned about the safety or wellbeing of a man in HMP Featherstone , contact the safer custody team. Please leave a message with their name, prison number and details of your concerns, also leave your name, contact number and relationship with them.

Email:  [email protected]

Safer custody hotline:  0190 270 3081

If you have a loved one in HMP Featherstone you can email them via  email a prisoner .

Visiting HMP Featherstone or need to know more information about how to book a visit? You can find the most up-to-date visits information  here .

Switchboard:  0190 366 3000

If you have concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a man in HMP Ford , call the anti-drugs and safer custody hotline on  0800 389 2246 . Please leave a message with their name, prison number and details of your concerns, also leave your name, contact number and relationship with them.

If you have a loved one in HMP Ford you can email them via  email a prisoner .

Visiting HMP Ford or need to know more information about how to book a visit? You can find the most up-to-date visit information  here .

You can contact the Family Services Manager directly on  0797 063 8276  or  [email protected] .

Gatwick IRC

Switchboard:  01293 566 500

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]  (to arrange visits) [email protected]  (to request medical records)

Visiting hours are 2pm-5.30pm and 6pm-9pm every day. Last admission is at 8.30pm.

You must book at least one day in advance, between 8am and 9pm.

• You must bring the following:
• passport or travel document
• driving licence (paper and photo sections)

Or you can bring two of the following:

• birth or marriage certificate
• rail or bus pass with photo
• employer’s ID or student card with photo
• young person’s proof of age card
• trade union membership card
• older person’s bus pass
• benefits book
• application registration card (ARC)

There’s a free bus service from Atlantic House to Brook House with a stop at  Tinsley House . The pick-up point is in front of Atlantic House, just outside Gatwick South Terminal. You can ask about bus times or how to arrange a pick-up when you book your visit.

There’s a free on-site car park. If you use a satnav, use the street name Perimeter Road South, not the postcode.

HMP Grendon

Switchboard:  0129 644 5000

If you have concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a man in HMP Grendon , call the safer custody hotline (24 hours) on  0129 644 5026 .

If you have a loved one in HMP Grendon you can email them via  email a prisoner .

Visiting HMP Grendon or need to know more information about how to book a visit? You can find the most up-to-date visits information  here .

For visiting enquiries, please ring  0129 644 5243 .

HMP & YOI Hatfield

Switchboard:  0140 574 6500

If you have concerns about the safety or wellbeing of someone in HMP & YOI Hatfield , call the 24-hour safer custody hotline on  0140 575 6509 .

If you have a loved one in HMP & YOI Hatfield you can email them via  email a prisoner .

Visiting HMP & YOI Hatfield or need to know more information about how to book a visit? You can find the most up-to-date visit information  here .

You can also email the families team at HMP & YOI Hatfield directly by emailing  [email protected] .

Heathrow IRC

Switchboard:  020 8607 5200

If you have any safeguarding concerns for residents in our care, please contact the Safer Community hotline on 020 8607 5303 .

Email:  [email protected]  (to arrange legal visits – for legal professionals only) Email:  [email protected]  (to arrange a social visit) Email:  [email protected]  (to request medical records)

Visiting hours are 2pm-9pm every day. Last admission is at 8.30pm.

• You must book your visit in advance.
• photo ID (passport or driving licence)
• utility bill showing your name and address

As per Home Office requirements, all visitors over the age of 18 must present the following ID prior to entry :

One of the following:

• A passport (current or if expired within 5 years of expiry date). This can include foreign passports and travel documents recognised by HM Government
• European Community identity card
• Photographic driving licence
• Or two of the following:
• Birth certificate
• Marriage certificate
• Rail or bus pass with photograph
• Employer’s ID card or NUS student card
• Young person’s proof of age card
• Trade union membership card
• Senior citizen travel pass issued by a local authority
• Home Office ARC card (asylum support application registration card)
• Benefits book

There is a refreshment kiosk in the hall and visitors may bring £10 in change to purchase drinks and snacks.

Please bring a £1 coin to use one of the lockers provided, this will be reimbursed to visitors when they depart the centre.

HMP Highpoint

Switchboard:  0144 074 3100

Contact the Safer Custody hotline on  0144 074 3004  with any immediate concerns about a resident. This line is checked twice a day, you can leave a message and it will be dealt with promptly.

If you have a loved one in HMP Highpoint you can email them via  email a prisoner .

Visiting HMP Highpoint or need to know more information about how to book a visit? You can find the most up-to-date visit information  here .

Ormiston deliver visitor services at HMP Highpoint. You can contact them on  0147 372 4517  or  [email protected] .

HMP Huntercombe

Switchboard:  0149 164 3100

If you have concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a man in HMP Huntercombe contact the safer custody hotline on  0149 164 3225 . Leave as much information as possible and a telephone number for staff to call you back. You can also email  [email protected] .

If you have a loved one in HMP Huntercombe you can email them via  email a prisoner .

Visiting HMP Huntercombe or need to know more information about how to book a visit? You can find the most up-to-date visits information  here .

You can email the family services team at HMP Huntercombe directly by emailing  [email protected] .

HMP & YOI Hollesley Bay

Switchboard:  0139 441 2400

If you have concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a man in HMP & YOI Hollesley Bay you can contact the Safer Custody team on  0139 441 2462 .

If you have a loved one in HMP & YOI Hollesley Bay you can email them via  email a prisoner .

Visiting HMP & YOI Hollesley Bay or need to know more information about how to book a visit? You can find the most up-to-date visit information  here .

Ormiston delivers visitor services at HMP & YOI Hollesley Bay. You can contact them at  0147 3724517  or  [email protected] .

HMP Isle of Wight

Switchboard:  0198 363 4000

If you have concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a man in HMP Isle of Wight , call the safer custody hotline on  0800 496 1125 . The mailbox is checked regularly each day. Please leave as much information as possible and a telephone number for staff to call you back.

If you have a loved one in HMP Isle of Wight you can email them via  email a prisoner .

Visiting HMP Isle of Wight or need to know more information about how to book a visit? You can find the most up-to-date visits information  here .

You can also call the family services team directly on  0198 386 5657 .

Switchboard:  0113 203 2600

If you have concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a man in HMP Leeds call the safer custody hotline on  0113 203 2629 . Leave your name, your telephone number, the prisoner’s name and prisoner number, and a brief description of the problem. Someone will call you back within 24 hours.

If you have a loved one in HMP Leeds you can email them via  email a prisoner .

Visiting HMP Leeds or need to know more information about how to book a visit? You can find the most up-to-date visit information  here .

You can also email the families team directly on:  [email protected] .

Switchboard:  0127 378 5100

Families of residents in HMP Lewes can use the safer custody hotline to report bullying or concerns about self-harm or suicide. It is staffed during office hours. At other times there is an answerphone which is checked and followed up every day.

Please leave your name, the resident’s name, a return contact number and brief details about your concern and a member of staff will call you back. The safer custody hotline number is  0127 378 5392 . You can also email:  [email protected] .

If you have a loved one in HMP Lewes you can email them via  email a prisoner .

Visiting HMP Lewes or need to know more information about how to book a visit? You can find the most up-to-date visit information  here .

Spurgeons staff at HMP Lewes have a Facebook support page and private Facebook support group for families, please contact the team to find out how you can join. You can call them on  0797 063 8276  or email  [email protected] .

HMP Lindholme

Switchboard:  0130 252 4700

If you have concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a man in HMP Lindholme , call the safer custody hotline on  0130 252 4731 .

You may be asked to leave a message. If so, include your name, telephone number and why you’re calling, as well as the name and prisoner number of the man you’re worried about. Somebody should call you back within 24 hours.

If you have a loved one in HMP Lindholme you can email them via  email a prisoner .

Visiting HMP Lindholme or need to know more information about how to book a visit? You can find the most up-to-date visit information  here .

You can also email the families team at HMP Lindholme directly by emailing  [email protected] .

HMP Long Lartin

Switchboard:  0138 629 5100

If you have concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a man in HMP Long Lartin , call the safer custody hotline on  0800 496 1455 .

Leave your name, telephone number, the reason for your call and the name and prisoner number of the man you are worried about. You should be called back within 24 hours.

If you have a loved one in HMP Long Lartin you can email them via  email a prisoner .

Visiting HMP Long Lartin or need to know more information about how to book a visit? You can find the most up-to-date visit information  here .

The Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT) offer help and support to families and friends with someone in HMP Long Lartin. You can contact them here  [email protected] .

HMP & YOI Moorland

Switchboard:  0130 252 3000

If you have concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a man in HMP & YOI Moorland call the safer custody hotline on  0800 496 1364 .

Leave your name, the reason for your call and the name of your loved one and their prisoner number. You will be called back in 24 hours. An emergency number will always be given.

If you have a loved one in HMP & YOI Moorland you can email them via  email a prisoner .

Visiting HMP & YOI Moorland or need to know more information about how to book a visit? You can find the most up-to-date visit information  here .

You can also email the families team at HMP & YOI Moorland directly by emailing  [email protected] .

HMP & YOI New Hall

Switchboard:  0192 480 3000

If you are concerned about the safety or wellbeing of a woman in HMP & YOI New Hall call the safer custody line on  0192 484 0723 . You will be asked to leave a recorded message that staff will listen to. Please give the full name of the prisoner you are concerned about and include your contact number if possible.

If you have a loved one in HMP & YOI New Hall you can email them via  email a prisoner .

Visiting HMP & YOI New Hall or need to know more information about how to book a visit? You can find the most up-to-date visit information  here .

HMP Oakwood

Switchboard:  0190 279 9700

If you have concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a man in HMP Oakwood call the safer custody hotline on  0190 279 9991 .

If you get an answering machine, please leave as much information as possible and a telephone number for staff to call you back. You will receive a response within 24 hours.

If you have a loved one in HMP Oakwood you can email them via  email a prisoner .

Visiting HMP Oakwood or need to know more information about how to book a visit? You can find the most up-to-date visit information  here .

You can email the visits team here:  [email protected]  or call the visits centre on  0121 707 1008 .

HMP Pentonville

Switchboard:  0207 023 7000

If you have concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a man in HMP Pentonville call the safer custody hotline on  0207 023 7341 .

If you get an answering machine, leave as much information as possible and a telephone number for staff to call you back. You will receive a response within 24 hours.

You can also email  [email protected] .

If you have a loved one in HMP Pentonville you can email them via  email a prisoner .

Visiting HMP Pentonville or need to know more information about how to book a visit? You can find the most up-to-date visit information  here .

You can also contact the family services via [email protected] or the visitors’ centre on  0207 700 0912 .

HMP Spring Hill

If you have concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a man in HMP Spring Hill call the safer custody hotline (24 hours) on 01296 445 026.

If you have a loved one in HMP Springhill you can email them via  email a prisoner .

Visiting HMP Spring Hill or need to know more information about how to book a visit? You can find the most up-to-date visit information  here .

For visit bookings and inquiries you can call the visitors’ centre directly on  0129 644 5243 .

HMP Stafford

Switchboard:  0178 577 3000

If you have concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a man in HMP Stafford , call the safer custody hotline on  0178 577 3127  and leave as much information as possible. All issues raised will be investigated.

If you have a loved one in HMP Stafford you can email them via  email a prisoner .

Visiting HMP Stafford or need to know more information about how to book a visit? You can find the most up-to-date visit information  here .

HMP Stocken

Switchboard:  0178 079 5100

If you have concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a man in HMP Stocken , call the safer custody hotline on  0178 079 5213  and leave as much information as possible. All issues raised will be investigated.

If you have a loved one in HMP Stocken you can email them via  email a prisoner .

Visiting HMP Stocken or need to know more information about how to book a visit? You can find the most up-to-date visit information  here .

HMP & YOI Swinfen Hall

Switchboard:  0154 348 4000

If you have concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a man in HMP & YOI Swinfen Hall call the safer custody hotline on  0154 348 4244  and leave a message with as much information as possible. Someone will call you back within 24 hours.

If you have a loved one in HMP & YOI Swinfen Hall you can email them via  email a prisoner .

Visiting HMP & YOI Swinfen Hall or need to know more information about how to book a visit? You can find the most up-to-date visit information  here .

HMP Thameside

Switchboard:  020 8317 9777

If you are concerned about the safety, health or wellbeing of a prisoner, please contact us in the following ways:

• Email:  [email protected]
• Safer Custody hotline voicemail box: 020 8317 5593
• Email:  [email protected]

Please be aware these three accounts are only accessed at irregular intervals between the hours of 8.30am-5pm Monday to Friday

Out of hours and weekends or for urgent issues please contact our main telephone number: 020 8317 9777 . This will allow you to be diverted to the most suitable area to manage your query.

[email protected]

ALL visitors, whether they have visited before or if it is their first time visiting, must bring a photographic ID and proof of current address with them for every visit and must be able to clearly identify themselves as the person that they are claiming to be. The proof of address must match the address submitted by the prisoner when booking the visit. If you are unable to provide this or the addresses do not match then you will not be permitted to enter.

All visitors at HMP Thameside must be appropriately dressed at all times. Failure to comply will result in you being refused entry to the establishment. The following restrictions apply to all visits of all ages. This is by no means a complete list and is reviewed regularly.

HMP Wakefield

Switchboard:  0192 461 2000

If you have concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a man in HMP Wakefield call the switchboard on  0192 461 2000  and ask to speak to the Safer Prisons department or the duty governor. In an emergency, ask for the ‘control room’. They will pass on your concerns to the orderly officer immediately.

You can also call the Safer Prisons Family Helpline on  0800 389 1108  and leave a message. It is monitored from 8am to 5pm and once after midnight.

If you have a loved one in HMP Wakefield you can email them via  email a prisoner .

Visiting HMP Wakefield or need to know more information about how to book a visit? You can find the most up-to-date visit information  here .

HMP Warren Hill

Switchboard:  0139 463 3400

Please call  0139 463 3400  (24 hours) and ask for the Safer Custody hotline to report immediate concerns you may have about a resident at HMP Warren Hill .

If you have a loved one in HMP Warren Hill you can email them via  email a prisoner .

Visiting HMP Warren Hill or need to know more information about how to book a visit? You can find the most up-to-date visit information  here .

Ormiston family services work at Warren hill and can be contacted on  0147 372 4517  or  [email protected] .

HMP Wayland

Switchboard:  01953 804100

If you have concerns about the safety, health or wellbeing of a man in HMP Wayland , call the safer custody hotline on  0195 380 4000 .

You may be asked to leave a message. Please leave as much information as possible about your concern. All issues raised will be investigated.

If you have a loved one in HMP Wayland you can email them via  email a prisoner .

Visiting HMP Wayland or need to know more information about how to book a visit? You can find the most up-to-date visit information  here .

HMP Wealstun

Switchboard:  0193 744 4400

If you have concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a man in HMP Wealstun call the safer custody (at risk) hotline on  0193 744 4774 .

Leave your name, telephone number and the reason for your call. Also, leave the name and prisoner number of your loved one. You will get a call back within 24 hours.

If you have a loved one in HMP Wealstun you can email them via  email a prisoner .

Visiting HMP Wealstun or need to know more information about how to book a visit? You can find the most up-to-date visit information  here .

You can also email the team directly on:  [email protected] .

HMP & YOI Werrington

Switchboard:  0178 246 3300

If you have concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a young person in HMP & YOI Werrington call the safeguarding line on  0178 246 3355 . There is an answerphone out of hours and it is checked regularly. Please leave your name, telephone number and the reason for your call. Also, leave the name and prisoner number of your loved one.

If you have a loved one in HMPYOI Werrington you can email them via  email a prisoner .

Visiting HMPYOI Werrington or need to know more information about how to book a visit? You can find the most up-to-date visit information  here .

HMP Whatton

Switchboard:  0194 980 3200

HMP Whatton has a safer custody hotline to call or email if you are worried about the health or safety of a resident. Please call  0194 980 3484  and leave your name, telephone number and the reason for your call. Also, leave the name and prisoner number of your loved one. You can also email  [email protected] .

If you have a loved one in HMP Whatton you can email them via  email a prisoner .

Visiting HMP Whatton or need to know more information about how to book a visit? You can find the most up-to-date visits information  here .

For further information about the visitor centre call  0194 980 3564  or email  [email protected] .

HMP & YOI Winchester

Switchboard:  0196 272 3000

If you have concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a man in HMP & YOI Winchester call the safer custody hotline on  0196 272 3320 . Please leave your name, telephone number and the reason for your call. Also, leave the name and prisoner number of your loved one.

If you have a loved one in HMP & YOI Winchester you can email them via  email a prisoner .

Visiting HMP Winchester or need to know more information about how to book a visit? You can find the most up-to-date visits information  here .

HMP Wormwood Scrubs

Switchboard:  0208 588 3200

If you are worried about your loved one while they are a resident at HMP Wormwood Scrubs you can contact the Safer Custody team on  0208 588 3216 . You may be asked to leave a voicemail. Please make sure you include:

• The reason that you are calling.
• The name of your family member/friend (and their prison number if you know it).
• Your telephone number (so that the prison can call you back).

Please wait at least 24 hours for a call back before contacting the prison again.

If you have a loved one in HMP Wormwood Scrubs you can email them via  email a prisoner .

Visiting HMP Wormwood Scrubs or need to know more information about how to book a visit? You can find the most up-to-date visit information  here .

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The Good Book of Prisons

What's good in prisons across England & Wales

The prisoners described a ‘good jail’ and the ‘safest’ any of them had been to. They praised peers & mentors including peer-led induction, a ‘first timers’ support network, ‘very effective’ VR reps (who formally mediate), the PAL advice line, ‘excellent’ healthcare champions, and Listeners for those with self-harm & mental health issues. Phones and Kiosks were highly valued, food was ‘good’ and visits were ‘brilliant’ (including availability of hot food, family visits, and chance to play with their children in the open air). They also rated prisoner consultation, including regular meetings with wing and senior managers.

The Officers said prisoner relations were ‘good’ and ‘informal’ (with first names used). They praised communications & consultation, inc the ‘highly visible’ Director’s ‘open door policy’, consultation breakfasts with staff (in their birthday month) and regular full staff briefings. They valued a strong culture of giving credit where due, which ‘shows you’re appreciated’, including managers regularly thanking staff, ‘thank yous’ in the weekly newsletter, and more formal staff recognition (Employee/Team of the month, and certificates of achievement). They also rated twice-yearly staff parties, and annual family day when friends and family can tour the jail and see where they work.

The managers highlighted a safe prison and ‘a culture of respect’ towards prisoners. Induction, VR reps, healthcare champions, family support (including family reps on wings & Storybook Dads), and phones & kiosks, were all positives , as was the ‘excellent’ resettlement work by the CRC, the ‘fantastic’ Recycling Lives charity, and the highly praised TC. Managers also valued an ‘open’, visible and supportive No. 1, and the ‘can do attitude’, and strong camaraderie & teamwork, among staff. They also rated staff communications and consultation, staff recognition, family days and social events for staff, and ‘family friendly’ shift patterns.

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Investigation after man dies in Staffordshire prison

Calls are being made for a 'full and thorough' investigation into the death at HMP Dovegate, near Uttoxeter

• 11:51, 23 DEC 2017
• Updated 11:13, 27 DEC 2017

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An investigation is underway after a prisoner died at one of the region’s biggest jails.

The inmate at HMP Dovegate, near Uttoxeter , was pronounced dead yesterday afternoon (December 22).

Serco, which runs the prison, confirmed the man’s death this morning (December 23) but has not yet released details of his age or name.

A post-mortem will now be carried out to establish why he died before a report is prepared for the coroner ahead of an inquest being opened.

It is understood prison staff had tried to save the man but their attempts were unsuccessful.

In a statement, John Hewitson, Serco director at HMP Dovegate, said: “Sadly despite the best efforts of our staff, a prisoner died on Friday afternoon.

“As with any death at a prison there will be a coroner’s inquest in due course.”

Conservative MP Andrew Griffiths, whose constituency covers Uttoxeter, today called for a ‘full and thorough’ investigation into the sudden death.

He told The Sentinel: “Any death in custody is an extremely serious matter and I trust that the authorities will conduct a full and thorough investigation to find out what caused this tragic event to happen.”

A spokesman for the Howard League for Penal Reform, a charity which campaigns for improvements to conditions inside prisons, said: “Every death in custody is a tragedy. Whenever a prisoner dies it is particularly important that an investigation is carried out in a timely manner and we trust that this will be the case here.”

The Ministry of Justice confirmed it was aware of the death but declined to comment further.

HMP Dovegate currently has around 850 inmates. At its last inspection in the summer, the prison was criticised for its high levels of violence, self-harm and drug use.

However, the facility, which houses most of Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire’s criminals, was praised for its programmes to help offenders quit substance abuse, good living conditions, and for the respect shown by staff.

Bosses at the prison insisted they were acting on the recommendations following the publication of the report in October.

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