Visits & Getting There, HMP Lewes

Visits are held daily 14:10 – 15:35, and on Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 9:30-11:00.

To book online, go to 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] or call 01273 785271 or 01273 785277.  The lines open 09:30 -12:00 & 14:00 -16:30hrs seven days a week (excluding Bank Holidays). If you are disabled let the prison know when booking the visit and where possible they will arrange for the visit to be held on a easily accessible floor. Bookings can be taken up to 14 days in advance.

If you book by e-mail, complete the Social Visits Booking Form (122KB), and follow the instruction on the form.

Convicted/sentenced prisoners get three visits a month. Remand prisoners can have three visits a week – two during the week and one at weekends

You are advised to arrive 30 minutes before the start of your visits early to allow for processing/administration.. You must bring your visiting order with you to your visit, along with your booking reference number/email confirmation and your ID. Suitable ID includes

  • passport
  • driving licence
  • benefit book
  • EC identity card
  • Senior citizen’s public transport pass issued by a local authority

or you will need 2 official documents:

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

Like at almost all prisons, you cannot bring anything on the visit for the prisoner unless he has filled out an application for it to be brought in, and the application has been approved.

Getting there

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The prison is situated in the town of Lewes, East Sussex, about ½ mile from the town centre. There is a regular bus service from Brighton. Click here for details The local station, Lewes, is on the main line between London Victoria and Brighton. Click here for details The station is about a 25 mins walk, taxis are available at the station.

By car from London take A23, M23, A27 then join A275 and prison is on left.

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