Social visits are held at different times, depending on which site the prisoner is held.
For Reception site – (wings A, B, C, E, M and Ketts unit)
- Tuesday – 9:30am to 11:30am
- Wednesday – 14:00 to 16:00
- Thursday – 9:30am to 11:30am
- Saturday – 14:15 to 16:15
- Sunday – 9:30am to 11:30
For Local Discharge Unit/HCC – (wings F, G, Healthcare and L wing)
- Tuesday – 14:15 to 16:15
- Thursday – 14:15 to 16:15
- Saturday – 9:30am to 11:30am
- Sunday – 14:15 to 16:15
All social (domestic) visitors can pre-book their visit by phoning the Visits Booking line., 01603 708795 Visits must be booked by 4pm the day before the visit or by 4pm on Friday for visits on Saturday and Sunday. Visits cannot be booked more than 7 days in advance. The booking line is open Mon – Fri: 08:30 – 12:30 & 13:30 – 16:00
You can also book online, visit: www.gov.uk/prison-visits. All you need is the name and date of birth of the person you are visiting and their prisoner number . You can choose up to 3 possible dates and times. Prison booking staff will check what’s available and confirm your visit by email. If you’ve made an online visit booking request and haven’t received a confirmation email within 1-3 working days, email [email protected]. Up to three adults and their children are allowed in any one visit.
HMP Norwich, like most prisons don’t allow late entry to the visits hall, so you must arrive no later than 10:45 (for morning visits) or 15:00 (for afternoon visits). Arrival outside of these times may result in your visit being cancelled; you will then need to rebook.
If the prisoner you would like to visit has recently arrived at HMP Norwich, direct from court, he may be entitled to a RECEPTION VISIT (remand and sentenced prisoners). Booking Line staff will be able to confirm any entitlement. This does not apply to prisoners transferred in or who have had their licences revoked.
Visitors have to be able to provide acceptable identification. The prison will accept:
- Passport (including foreign passports and expired passports where the photograph is still recognisable)
- EC identity card
- Driving licence
- Benefits book
- Senior citizen’s public transport photo pass
- Employer’s ID card (must show the name of the visitor, the employer, plus a photograph/signature which can be compared with the visitor’s appearance/signature)
- Student ID card (must show the name of the visitor, the educational establishment, plus a photograph/signature which can be compared with the visitor’s appearance/signature)
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
- Employer’s pass or ID or student ID card (those not acceptable on previous list)
- Young person’s ‘proof of age’ card
- National Students’ Union or trade union membership card
- Rent book
- Foreign identity or residents’ card (other than EC ID)
- Expired documents from the above lists that appear satisfactory in other ways
- ID card from a recognised prison visitors’ organisation (e.g. New Bridge)
- Citizen Card
The prison staff may, at their discretion, accept any other forms of identification, singly or in combination, that clearly identify the visitor in a satisfactory way but check with the prison before the visit so you, and the prisoner, are not disappointed.
You are not allowed to take any property into the visits room, and these need storing in lockers provided *£1 deposit for the key. The only items of property allowed into Visits rooms are:
- locker keys;
- a maximum of £15.00 per group of visitors (in coins only, no paper money is allowed into the prison);
- identification for all adults;
- baby’s bottle or cup;
- essential medicines.
The prison has a Visitors’ Centre for use by families and friends visiting those in our care. This facility is run by the Ormiston Children & Families Trust, a large charity supporting children, young people and families from the East of England. Call 01603 702301 or visit www.ormiston.org/norwichprison for more details. To help families with children they offer crèche facilities within the Visitors’ Centre, catering for children from 0 – 8 years old. This service is OFSTED-registered and is free of charge. It offers fun, safe and secure indoor and outdoor play areas staffed by qualified childcare workers and volunteers. Pushchairs are not allowed through on visits, they can be left at the Visitors’ Centre
On arrival at HMP Norwich go directly to the Visitors’ Centre to book in. Staff from the Ormiston Trust will take the name of the person you have come to see, check your ID, and make sure that you have the correct Visiting Order (if you require one to visit). To ensure that you do not miss your visit you will be given a number, which will be called when it is time for you to visit.
Family Visits
The Prison run special visits for children. These are an opportunity for families to spend ‘quality’ time together – the emphasis being on the dad, step-dad or granddad interacting with their children. These visits take place in a separate room, specially equipped for families with children of all ages. The the priosner can apply for these vists on a specila Children’s Visit Application form. All prisoners are will be subject to an additional security check and only one adult can accompany the child/children. This scheme is restricted to prisoners having at least one child, stepchild or grandchild aged 17 years and below.
Getting there
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HMP & YOI Norwich is situated on the eastern outskirts of Norwich, in Norfolk, about a 20 mins wlak from Norwich station.
- Bus: The No. 19, 20, 24 and 24a buses from Riverside Road goes past HMP & YOI Norwich. Ask for Knox Road (or simply ask for the prison).
- Train: Take a train to Norwich Station (from London services are via Liverpool Street). (timetable here)From Norwich Station it takes approximately 20 minutes to walk to the prison. At the main junction outside the station follow Riverside Road (keep river on your left). At the roundabout turn right up Ketts’ Hill onto Plumstead Road. Please note: this is up a steep hill. Turn left into Barrack Road. The prison and Visitors’ Centre are situated at the end of the road.
- Car: From A11, join A47 (Southern bypass around Norwich) and follow signs for Great Yarmouth. Take the slip road signposted A1042 (Norwich N & E & Thorpe St. Andrew). Go straight over roundabout and under railway bridge. At mini roundabout turn tight. Take left-hand slip road by traffic lights (Sainsbury’s should be on your right-hand side) signposted Cromer, Norwich Airport (A140). Follow road up hill to roundabout. Take the 2nd exit, Plumstead Road (B1140), signposted “HM Prison”. Turn right into Barrack Road. HMP & YOI Norwich, and the Visitors’ Centre, is situated at the end of the road. Limited parking is available on site.