HMP Nottingham, Visits and getting there

Visits are held Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday: 09:00 – 11:00 and 14:00 – 16:00

You will need a visiting order to book a visit which will be sent to you by the prisoner. You can book by phone on 0115 962 8980, booking times are Monday – Sunday 8:00am – 4:30pm

You can book by email at [email protected] . In your email you should state the details of the person you will be visiting, his number, the details of who will be visiting including all children, the dates and times of the requested visits and the Visiting Order number if you have one. A confirmation email should be sent through to you. If you do not receive a confirmation email please contact the booked visits office by phone or again by email to check. Emails should be sent no later than 2pm if booking a visit for the following day.

If you want to you can book a visit by text message,  start your message with social and send to 60777. In your text message you should state the details of the person you will be visiting, his number, the details of who will be visiting including all children, the dates and times of the requested visits and the Visiting Order number if you have one. A confirmation text message should be sent through to you. If you do not receive a confirmation text please contact the booked visits office by phone or again by email to check.

To 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] or call 0115 962 8980, lines open Monday – Sunday 8:00am – 4:30pm

The prison needs at least 24hrs notice for all bookings by whatever method you use. Visitors can also book their next visit in person at the time of visiting.

Up to 3 adults can visit at once time, plus children – for the purposes of seating, children over the age of 14 will be considered as an adult. Persons under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

The number of visits a prisoner can have depends on their status. If the prisoner is on remand the allowances per week are:

Basic         3    Length of visit        Minimum 1 hour
Standard   3    Length of visit        Minimum 1 hour
Enhanced  3    Length of visit        Minimum 1 hour

For sentenced prisoners the allowances per month are:

Basic         2    Length of visit        Minimum 1 hour
Standard   3    Length of visit        Minimum 1 hour
Enhanced  4    Length of visit        Minimum 1 hour

Visitors may take £20 in coins into the Visit Room to buy teas and coffees etc.

Family visits are available on the 3rd Monday of each month for partners and grand parents (not grandchildren). Family Visits and Book Share are additional privileged visits over and above the usual entitlement.  Visiting Orders are not required.  Applications to attend a these must come from the prisoner and be approved.

When you arrive for a visit book in at the Visitors Centre. Identification is required in the form of Photo ID – passport, driving licence etc. plus a utility bill (proof of address) dated within 3 months and the visiting order (if applicable). Biometrics ID is used for visitors and all visitors will be photographed (except children). Children also require ID in the form of a birth certificate, red book, medical card etc.

You will probably be given a search which  consists of rub down, metal detector, passive drugs dog, much the same as done at every airport. Religious head wear and other religious garments are acceptable. Babies who are brought into a prison may be given a basic or detailed search.

The booking office opens at 08:30 and 13:00.  You are advised to book in at least half an hour prior to their visit. The latest arrival times for visits at the prison gates are 10.30am for a morning visit and 15.30pm for an afternoon visit. After these times entry may be refused.

During the visit you are NOT permitted to hand in money for prisoners. Clothing and prescription glasses can be handed in at the Visitors Centre when on a visit only. All clothing must adhere to prison guidelines and cannot be accepted unless an application from the prisoner has been received and approved. Details of acceptable clothing can be obtained by contacting the visitors centre.

The visits centre is open from 08:00hrs – 16.30hrs, 7 days a week. It is run by the Prison Advice and Care Trust (pact) and the telephone number is 0115 872 4559. Toilets and refreshments facilities are available. Disabled access and baby changing facilities are also present. Wheelchairs will be searched on entry to the prison. Lockers are available for £1 (refundable).

There are facilities for children but they will not be supervised. Buggies and prams can be left within the centre and at the prison gates at the owner’s risk and are not allowed to be taken into the prison. A private room is available for breastfeeding on request.

Prison Advice and Care Trust offer support and advice to visitors. Information on Finance, Jobs, Health, Drugs and Alcohol, Accommodation etc. SureStart, CARATS,  Family Support Workers will be made available if needed . The visits centre is located at the bottom of a hill, should any assistance be required please inform a member of the PACT team.

There are facilities for children and there is supervision by volunteers. Buggies and prams can be left within the centre and at the prison gates at the owner’s risk. A private room is available for breastfeeding on request. Baby bottles are allowed but must be mixed in the visitors centre in the presence of staff. Spare nappies can be taken in a clear plastic bag.

There are obvious restrictions on what you can take into the visits room. These include mobile phones/SIM cards, tobacco, lighters, weapons, drugs (legal or illegal) and any other contraband/prohibited items; hi visibility clothing, hats, scarves and gloves.

You must adhere to the prisons policy on appropriate clothing and decency. Information can be sought from the visitors’ centre. There is full access, lift, parking and toilets are available for disabled visitors.

Getting there

If you want to plan your journey on public transport visit the travel  web site  (click here). It is an excellent way to plan your visits.

HMP Nottingham is located in the city of Nottingham in the county of Nottinghamshire. If travelling by bus from Trinity Square take a number 19 bus, from Victoria shopping centre take the number 15, 16 or 17 bus and from the Broadmarsh centre take the number 700 bus

The nearest station is Nottingham Station.  On leaving Nottingham station, make your way to Trinity Square take a number 19 bus. There are also green taxis available directly outside the train station.

By car leave the M1 at Junction 26 and take the A610 to Nottingham for 3 miles. Upon reaching ring road A6514, turn left towards Mansfield (A60) along the Western Boulevard and Valley Road. Continue over the railway bridge and through two sets of traffic lights to an island at A611 Hucknall Road (City Hospital should be clearly visible on the left); turn right at the island towards Nottingham City centre and go up the hill to the traffic lights; turn left onto Perry Road. Turn left after approximately 50m into the prison. Car parking for visitors is available and signposted about half way up the hill on the left.

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