hmp armley book a visit

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https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2014/09/15/you-can-now-book-a-prison-visit-online/

You can now book a prison visit online

Booking a prison visit should be simple and straightforward. Until now that was far from the case. Booking a visit required both prisoner and visitor to jump through hoops: paper forms and drawn-out phone calls. And if the visit date turned out to be impossible, they had to start all over again.

Now you can book a visit online . It takes about 5 minutes. Before, picking an available date was pot luck. Now there's a date-picker that lets you select 3 possible slots instead of 1. It’s a straight-forward service with user-needs at its heart but, if you get stuck, you can call the prison's visits booking line and someone will help you with the booking.

Here's a very short film we've made about it:

By making it easier to book visits, prisoners will see more of their friends and family. Evidence suggests this will help their rehabilitation. Transformation isn't just about websites.

The service was built by the Ministry of Justice, with a combined team from the National Offender Management Service, HM Prison Service and MoJ Digital Services.

For more of the story behind this service, read Mike Bracken's account of his trip to HMP Rochester or check out the service’s transformation page .

Join the conversation on Twitter , and don't forget to sign up for email alerts .

You may also be interested in:

• Prison visit booking: using digital analytics to inform alpha development
• Making prison visits easier to book
• Meet the Transformation team

Sharing and comments

Share this page, 20 comments.

Comment by Pauline posted on 23 August 2015

How do you find out the prisoners number??? so you can go ahead with online booking of a visit?

Comment by Carrie Barclay posted on 24 August 2015

You can find a prisoner using this service: https://www.gov.uk/find-prisoner However it will be the prisoner's responsibility to get in touch with you to let you know their prison number etc.

Comment by linda posted on 15 August 2015

This service does not appear to work this is day 2 trying to use it

Comment by Olivia posted on 30 July 2015

Hi, If a visit is booked and someone cant make it, is it possible to change the name of one of the people to someone else?

Comment by Louise Duffy posted on 30 July 2015

It's best to contact the prison directly if this happens. You can find contact details here: http://www.justice.gov.uk/contacts/prison-finder

Thanks, Louise

Comment by Paige posted on 28 July 2015

Hi my partner was sent to nottingham today, I was on his previous list 4 months ago for a visit. Will that still be on the system all will it have to he put through again if so how long does it take to be approved for a visit? Thanks Paige.

Comment by Louise Duffy posted on 29 July 2015

You might want to get in touch with the prison first before booking a visit. You can find the contact details of the prison here: http://www.justice.gov.uk/contacts/prison-finder

Comment by Debs posted on 27 July 2015

Hello Is there a list of prisons where online booking can't be used?

Comment by Louise Duffy posted on 28 July 2015

According to the information on this page: https://www.gov.uk/prison-visits , you can arrange a visit to any prison in England and Wales through this service. If you're visiting someone in Northern Ireland or Scotland you'll need to contact the prison directly.

This link also lists the type of visits that are not covered by the online service: https://www.gov.uk/prison-visits so you need to get in touch with the prison directly.

Hope that's helpful.

Comment by c.steer posted on 26 July 2015

So how do I find the booking form to fill in I am new to computers

Comment by Louise Duffy posted on 27 July 2015

Here's the link to the booking form: https://www.gov.uk/prison-visits

You'll need this information to complete the form:

prisoner number prisoner’s date of birth dates of birth for all visitors coming with you make sure the person you’re visiting has added you to their visitor list

Hope that's useful.

Comment by Shawnaa posted on 09 May 2015

i have a visit booked which i did online but i do not have a visiting order woll the prison let me in?

Comment by Carrie Barclay posted on 11 May 2015

Your identity will be checked on arrival to make sure you’re on the visitor list.

Comment by jessicca posted on 27 January 2015

What happens after you book the visit and its confirmed by email do you need the visiting order ?

Comment by Carrie Barclay posted on 29 January 2015

The Visiting Order (VO) number is generated by the booking system, it is included in your confirmation email and you will need this to change or cancel a booking.

However, if you're visiting a prison the guidance is that you only need your ID, not the VO number. If when you visit the prison you are asked for the VO number you should report this via the Contact Us link on the Prison Visits Booking form.

I hope that helps.

Comment by Ilysa Mcnally posted on 18 November 2014

How late in advance can I book e.g. book a visit today (Tuesday) for the Sunday coming???

Comment by Carrie Barclay posted on 19 November 2014

Hi Ilysa. Thanks for your question. A visit needs to be booked 3 working days in advance. So in this case, the visit request would have to be no later than Tuesday to allow for a visit on Sunday.

Comment by carole posted on 23 October 2014

How far in advance can you book visits

Comment by Carrie Barclay posted on 23 October 2014

Hi Carole. You can book up to 28 days in advance. Thanks for your question.

Comment by kimberly posted on 16 August 2015

does anyone know how to cancel a visit online?

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HMP Leeds 2 Gloucester Terrace Leeds LS12 2TJ

All visits must be booked 48 hours in advance

The visits booking line is 0113 203 2995

or you can email a booking on [email protected]

VISITING TIMES

Monday 08:30 – 09:30, 10:15 – 11:30, 13:30 – 14:45 u0026amp; 15:15 – 16:30

Tuesday 08:30 – 09:30, 10:130 – 11:30, 13:45 – 14:45 u0026amp; 15:15 – 16:15

Wednesday 08:30 – 09:30, 10:130 – 11:30, 13:45 – 14:45 u0026amp; 15:15 – 16:15 u0026amp; 17:45 – 18:45

Thursday 13:45 – 14:45, 15:15 – 16:15 u0026amp; 17:45 – 18:45

Friday 08:30 – 09:30, 10:30 – 11:30, 13:45 – 14:45 u0026amp; 15:15 – 16:15

Saturday 09:00 – 10:00, 10:30 – 11:30, 13:45 – 14:45 u0026amp; 15:15 -16:15

Sunday 09:00 – 10:00, 10:30 – 11:30, 13:45 – 14:45 u0026amp; 15:15 -16:15

The Visit’s centre is called ‘The Jigsaw Centre’ and it is an independent funded charity, their website is http://www.jigsawvisitorscentre.org.uk/pages/visitors.html

Jigsaw Visitors’ Centre is a open 7 days a week, 9 to 5 for support and advice for those visiting their loved ones in HMP Leeds. They understand that prisoners’ families are just as affected by imprisonment as prisoners are, and they hope to make that experience easier. They have a welcoming Centre with café, information, free fruit while you wait, a play room for the children, and free internet access. Their Family Support Workers are there to help you and also, where appropriate, put you in touch with other organisations in the community who can help you to deal with those issues which can arise with a loved one in custody.

They hope their website, mentioned above,   can answer some of your questions and concerns. If not, please contact them on: 0113 2032771 or email [email protected]

The staff at the centre are really helpful and always sit down with first time visitors to run the do’s and don’ts.

There is a tea bar to purchase snacks before the visit. On the visit, you can purchase bags of sweets, which when un-opened, the prisoner can take back to their cell.

You CANNOT book visits via the visits centre, although you can cancel them via the centre. Make sure though you keep a record of your reference number if you wish to cancel. This then makes sure the right visit is cancelled.

Visits can be booked via telephone and also via email:- [email protected]  which is really helpful and saves long waits trying to get through on the telephone. The email service is very fast and efficient.

The visits are short compared to some prisons i.e. one hour but everyone goes onto the visit together, there aren’t usually major delays and there is no need to get to the prison hours before the visits are due to commence.

Parking within the prison grounds is quite limited.

Property can be handed in by arrangement. The property centre is located just inside the visits centre.

Jigsaw Visitor Centre - Leeds

Jigsaw offers a range of services to prisoners' families and prisoners at HMP Leeds. Their Visitor Centre books in visitors, provides information, advice and support through their family support team, delivers relationship and parenting courses within the prison, delivers the play area and organises special family visits. Interventions are designed to help families and prisoners make positive choices for their future wellbeing, improve the outcomes for children and reduce re-offending. The Visitor Centre has produced a booklet with information for first time visitors (please download from the site below) and offers telephone and face to face support for families and friends of prisoners. They also signpost to other services in the Leeds area.

See Jigsaw's Visitor Centre at HMP Leeds for more information.

T: 0113 203 2771

A: Jigsaw Visitors Centre, C/O HMP Leeds, 2 Gloucester Terrace, Leeds, LS8 5AN

W: www.jigsawcharity.org

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General Details, HMP Leeds

Leeds prison was built in 1847 and has been the centre of public protection for the citizens of Leeds and West Yorkshire for over 150 years. Construction of Leeds Prison (originally named Leeds Borough Gaol) was completed in 1847. Built from locally quarried stone, the prison originally had four wings radiating from a central point in a style typical of the time. Each of these four wings had three landings of cells. Know locally as Armley Gaol it was renamed along with other prisons to make their locations more obvious to people unfamiliar with these areas. A further two wings were added in 1994. Other refurbishments since then have modernised the residential units, provided improved showering and food servery areas and enhanced primary health care facilities.

 Accommodation at the prison

• A wing – incentivised substance free living (ISFL) unit for convicted prisoners and those on remand.
• B wing – convicted prisoners and those on remand; supports prisoners with short sentences and resettlement.
• C wing – convicted prisoners and those on remand.
• D wing – induction unit.
• E wing – convicted prisoners and those on remand.
• F wing – vulnerable prisoners

Return to Leeds

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Armley Prison Leeds

Tel: 0113 203 2600  –  2 Gloucester Terrace, Stanningley Road, Leeds LS12 2TJ

HMP Leeds has an elaborate façade and the building itself dates back to 1847. The four wings of the prison are laid out in a classically Victorian radial style, and originally, the establishment was called Armley Jail, as it is located in the Armley area of the city. The prison has a capacity of 1,212 and is a category B adult male establishment. It claims to be firmly focused on supporting and resettling prisoners after they’ve served their sentence. If you’d like to find out how to get to HMP Leeds, please use the map on this page.

Tel: 0113 203 2600

Operational capacity: 1212

2 Gloucester Terrace, Stanningley Road, Leeds LS12 2TJ

Prison Phone have been helping inmates at HMP Leeds to maintain family contact by reducing the cost of calls from the PINS payphone system.

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Here’s some facts about Armley Prison Leeds

HMP Leeds is a category B men’s prison in the Armlet area of Leeds, West Yorkshire. Opened in 1847, the prison has capacity to hold 1212 inmates.

The prison has wings A-F, and an intermediate social care unit. A wing has the vulnerable prisoner unit, and the segregation unit on A1. B, C, E and F wings hold adult male convicted prisoners and those on remand. D wing is a recovery unit and the first night centre on D1. The intermediate social care unit holds men with identified social care needs that cannot be met in the main prison environment.

One wing at HMP Leeds was put on lockdown on the 9th August 2017 after a violent incident involving two prisoners. The wing was locked down for 45 minutes, and all prisoners in that wing were locked in their cells. This meant at least one court hearing was missed.

To view the latest HMIP inspection report, click here .

Visiting hours are 10:00 – 11:30, 14:00 – 15:00 & 15:30 – 16:30 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and 09:00 – 10:00, 10:30 – 12:30, 14:00 – 15:00 & 15:30 – 16:30 Saturdays and Sundays.

There were 46 fires reported in the prison in 2016.

In 2013, HMP Leeds was awarded a Leaders in Diversity award, for their efforts to create an inclusive environment in the prison.

The Howard League for Penal Reform revealed that the prison had the highest rates of suicide in the UK, in 2005.

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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Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits Armley prison and vows to tackle drugs, weapons and crime

The Prime Minister warned that jails cannot become "factories for making bad people worse"

• 13:54, 13 AUG 2019
• Updated 14:54, 9 SEP 2019

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Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited Armley prison today after announcing a £100 million investment package to boost security in prisons.

Mr Johnson walked around HM Prison Leeds, the category B prison in Armley, which was one of the country's most overcrowded when it was inspected two years ago.

Mr Johnson has vowed to stop the flow of drugs, weapons and phones flooding into prisons, in a bid to cut violence and ensure sentences rehabilitate offenders.

During the 2017 inspection, 60 per cent of inmates at HM Prison Leeds reported that drugs were easy to get hold of in prison.

Violence and drugs in prisons have been in the spotlight in recent times, with prison officers staging a mass walkout last year over safety concerns.

Labour accused the PM of 'timidly tinkering at the edges', saying the investment falls short of the sum needed to reverse the damage caused by years of Conservative cuts.

Announcing the pledge, Mr Johnson said: "We cannot allow our prisons to become factories for making bad people worse.

"We will stop the drugs, weapons and the mobile phones coming in, so we can safeguard victims, protect staff, cut violence and make our prisons properly equipped to reform and rehabilitate."

The Ministry of Justice said the funding, provided to jails in England and Wales, has been released by the Treasury and will be immediately available.

The sum will fund an increase in X-ray scanners and metal detectors across the prison estate, and be used to target drug smugglers and kingpins who continue to run their rings from behind bars.

It will also be used to strengthen the corruption unit that identifies dishonest prison staff.

And it will expand technology to detect and block mobiles being used in prisons and identify those harassing victims or organising drug deals from within prison.

Problems at HMP LEEDS

• Elite officers have been called to HM Prison Leeds 44 times over the last three years to deal with serious incidents. The specialist unit, known as the National Tactical Response Group, were called to the prison in Armley to deal with hostage taking situations, rooftop protests, a riot and 'incidents at height' where prisoners gain access to safety netting between 2016 and 2018.  

The number of attacks by prisoners on prison officers and other inmates at HMP Leeds has hit a record high – for the second year running.There were 560 attacks recorded at the Armley jail last year.

Self-harm among prisoners at Leeds Prison continues to rise to record levels - there were 778 incidents of self-harm at the Armley jail in 2017/18.

According to a report from the Howard League for Penal Reform just 78% of prisoners in a survey at the Armley jail said they were permitted to shower every day in 2017.

HMP Leeds had the greatest number of prison officers quit after a year or less in the post. Some 31 new prison officers* left the Armley jail in 2018 having served 12 months or less.

Earlier today Morley and Outwood MP Andrea Jenkyns tweeted that the PM had had a 'great reception' in Leeds .

Leeds MP: 'Measures fall 'woefully short'

Shadow justice secretary Richard Burgon was critical of the scale of the announcement.

"These measures fall woefully short of what is needed to make our prisons safe. Faced with a prisons emergency caused by austerity, Boris Johnson is timidly tinkering at the edges," the Labour MP said.

"Reckless Tory cuts to staffing and budgets unleashed unprecedented levels of violence in our prisons.

"Boris Johnson should set out a detailed plan and provide proper funding to ensure that our prisons have the staffing and resources needed to focus on rehabilitation and reducing re-offending."

Liberal Democrat justice spokeswoman Wera Hobhouse said it was a 'hollow move' by Mr Johnson which 'fails to tackle the causes of crime'.

"The further funding announced is still not being used to rehabilitate people to stop them committing crimes in the first place," she said.

"Boris Johnson can lock people up for longer or search people on their way in and out of prison, but none of this bravado will actually make our streets safer."

HMP Leeds latest

Justice secretary Robert Buckland, QC, said there is a 'direct link' between crime in prison wings and on the streets.

"By disrupting those who continue to offend behind bars, we can keep our staff and other prisoners safe, and make sure that prisons truly fulfil their purpose of protecting the public," he added.

The spending pledge is the latest in a string of announcements from the PM, each adding to suspicions a general election is looming.

Mr Johnson pledged £2.5 billion to create an extra 10,000 prison places over the weekend and £85 million for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) on Monday.

In recent weeks, the Government has also announced a £1.8 billion cash injection for the NHS and £2.1 billion boost to no-deal Brexit preparations.

Visit our dedicated Leeds News page for the biggest talking points from across the city.    

LeedsLive has launched a WhatsApp group to keep you up to date with the latest news! Click here to join and follow the instructions on your phone. Your number won't be shared with anyone else in the group.

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Booking visits at hmp armley a real time waster.

• Inside Time Reports
• 1st December 2012

We here at HMP Armley (Leeds) have been complaining about the visits booking system for months but to no avail. It is so frustrating for family and friends to arrange to book a visit through the 2 phone numbers provided. Years ago when this prison was single-celled and only 700 prisoners were housed in Armley it only took a couple of hours to book a visit, but now that it is 2 to a cell, with over 1400 prisoners, it can take days to get through on the phone numbers provided. It recently took my mother 4 days of calling the visits numbers to get through, only to be told that the days she had off from work were booked up. Armley does have an email address to book visits but they also take days to return your message and when they do reply it’s a random date and time that suit them, not a big help to working family members and friends. Not many people have internet access, so it’s just the visit numbers we and many others can use. Editorial note;  We tried phoning the booking numbers for HMP Armley on successive days and were informed by automated voice that the phone booking system was ‘unavailable’. We also tried to email but found there was no working email available.  

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• Roy – Former prisoner

8 thoughts on “ Booking visits at HMP Armley a real time waster ”

Need. Visit

Staff are rude mostly the female staff . Try intimidating you and try anything to make it difficult . Sniggering amounst one another and it is the female staff . Phone line I a night more and they do put ot down if you manage to get threw after trying both the line opening hours. And all the while throwing there arms around letting everyone know how much they are stressed and can’t wait to get home . I think we’ll find a different job and stop making it hard for family’s to stay connected .

Dear Jane, this time of the year most of the staff are on holiday in the sun somewhere, drinking and relaxing

been on this phone 2 hours trying to book a visit..ring ring then engaged..are they purposely ignoring the phone

Absolutely disgusting. Ringing constantly. Either is engaged or nobody answers. Can’t they organise some kind of queuing system at least? Bloody diabolical in this age of supposed technology!

On Tues 14 July.I arrived at armley.prison for visit with my son A 0972ck simpson.I was treated appallingly by 1 of the staff I had a asthma episode asked for a drink and was told no it’sn my fault she

I know several people who have been in HM Hate Factory Armley recently. It is the unwritten policy at Armley to destroy family ties since they have been forced to implement resettlement programmes. The POA knows, destroy the family and it does not matter what programmes are implemented, the offender is likely to become a recidivist and return to prison, which is all the POA cares about, full prisons, plenty of screws, plenty of prisons, more power. Armley, a cockroach infested cesspit, destroying family ties wholesale.

Your staff treat people like **** at armley prison . they don’t do there job write , then wen u try call to book visit they anser phone an put it down .that’s wrong !!!

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• Crime, justice and law
• Prisons and probation

Elmley Prison

Elmley is one of 3 prisons for men that form the Sheppey Cluster in Kent, the other two being HMP Standford Hill and HMP Swaleside.

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

Book and plan your visit to Elmley

To visit someone in Elmley you must:

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

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

Prisoners on remand can have a visit every day, if there’s space. Once sentenced, visitors need a visiting order (VO) and will get 2 every 14 days. Prisoners with enhanced privileges will get 2 extra visits a month.

Contact Elmley if you have any questions about visiting.

Help with the cost of your visit

If you get certain benefits or have an NHS health certificate, you might be able to get help with the costs of your visit , including:

• travel to Elmley
• somewhere to stay overnight

How to book family and friends visits

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

Telephone booking line: 03000 606 605 Available Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm Find out about call charges

For visits enquiries you can call, 01795 802195

Visiting times:

• Monday to Sunday: 2pm to 3:30pm

You can book in at the visitor office up to half an hour before your visiting time slot. The office is open 10am to 4pm.

How to book legal and professional visits

Face-to-face legal visits can only be booked by email to, [email protected] .

Legal and professional visiting times:

• Monday to Friday: 9am to 11:30am

How to book video legal visits

You can book legal video visits by telephone, 01795 802 373

Legal video session times (hourly slots):

• Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm

Getting to Elmley

Find Elmley on a map

When travelling to Elmley, avoid going via Elmley Nature Reserve.

If you are travelling via M2

• leave the motorway at junction five
• join the A249 towards Sheerness/Sheppey
• once over the Sheppey Crossing, follow signs towards Eastchurch and Leysdown
• at Eastchurch follow the local signs to HMP Elmley

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

To plan your journey by public transport use:

• National Rail Enquiries
• Traveline for local bus times

There is a free visitors car park.

Entering Elmley

All visitors, aged 16 or older must prove their identity before entering Elmley Read the list of acceptable forms of ID when visiting a prison .

• all visitors will need to be given a pat-down search, including children
• you may also be sniffed by security dogs
• visitors must adhere to the prison dress code that applies, further details can be requested on your first visit
• there are strict controls on what you can take into Elmley. You will have to leave most of the things you have with you in a locker in the visitors’ centre or in your car
• call the booking line or 01795 802195 if you have any questions about visiting

Visiting facilities

The visitors centre is open from 11am to 4:30pm on weekdays and from 7:30am to 4:30pm on weekends.

There is an unsupervised children’s play area, a snack bar and disabled access to the prison.

Family days

Elmley run 12 family visits a year. Details on how these visits run can be found in the visitor centre or by asking in staff in the visits hall.

Keep in touch with someone at Elmley

There are several ways you can keep in touch with someone during their time at Elmley.

Secure video calls

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

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

How to book a secure video call

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

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

Read more about how it works

Phone calls

Prisoners have phones in their cells but can only make outgoing calls so they will always have to call you. They have to buy phone credits to do this. They can be used between 6am and 10:30pm.

They can phone anyone named on their list of friends and family. This list is checked by security when they first arrive so it may take a few days before they are able to call.

You can also exchange voicemails using the Prison Voicemail service .

Officers may listen to phone calls as a way of preventing crime and helping keep people safe.

You can send emails to someone in Elmley using the Email a Prisoner service .

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

You can write at any time.

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

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

All post, apart from legal letters, will be opened and checked by officers.

Send money and gifts

You can use the free and fast online service to send money to someone in prison .

You can no longer send money by bank transfer, cheque, postal order or send cash by post.

If you cannot use the online service, you may be able to apply for an exemption - for example if you:

• are unable to use a computer, a smart phone or the internet
• do not have a debit card

This will allow you to send money by post.

Gifts and parcels

Books are the only items that can be sent into prison. Make sure to include the person’s name and prisoner number on the parcel. All parcels will be opened and checked by officers.

Friends and families of prisoners are permitted to send books directly to their loved ones, or can order books from approved retailers, which can source and send the books on to prisoners.

For the full list of approved retailers, you can read the HMPPS Incentives Policy, Annex F .

Contact Elmley for more information on what’s allowed.

Life at Elmley

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

Security and safeguarding

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

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

Arrival and first night

When someone first arrives at Elmley, they will be able to contact a family member by phone. This could be quite late in the evening, depending on the time they arrive.

They will get to speak to someone who will check how they’re feeling and ask about any immediate health and wellbeing needs.

Each prisoner who arrives at Elmley gets an induction that lasts about a week.

They will be issued with bedding, toiletries and an early days’ welfare pack.

They will also meet professionals who will help them with:

• health and wellbeing, including mental and sexual health
• any substance misuse issues, including drugs and alcohol
• personal development in custody and on release, including skills, education and training
• other support (sometimes called ‘interventions’), such as managing difficult emotions

Everyone also finds out about the rules, fire safety, and how things like calls and visits work.

Accommodation

There are 6 units that hold about 1,150 prisoners.

There are units for vulnerable prisoners, foreign nationals, first night prisoners, drug and alcohol rehabilitation and mixed units.

Education and work

At Elmley, all prisoners must work towards Level 2 English and maths. There are classroom assistants to help with learning.

Alongside this, foreign nationals must try to improve their English. There is ICT, City and Guilds construction certificates, Equality and Diversity qualifications and other industry-based learning.

‘In House Records’ is the first HM Prison record label to encourage prisoners to learn how to play, create, mix and manage music.

First-aid, diet, nutrition and personal training courses are offered in the gym. Prisoners can also train to be a ‘mentor’ so they can take on key peer worker roles. One of the units runs a community art project.

A careers advisor helps with application letters and CVs. Every 3 months, a selection of employers come to the prison to offer job vacancies, apprenticeships and training opportunities to prisoners that are almost ready for release.

Once accredited, the courses in forklift truck driving, streetworks and traffic management guarantee an interview through the Mainstream group .

Daily employment is available in gardening, environmental services, recycling, cleaning, laundry and kitchen work.

Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT) workers offer a wide range of courses to encourage prisoners to make a fresh start, such as victim awareness and empathy, violence reduction, managing worry, understanding triggers for re-offending, mindfulness, communication and financial skills and parenting.

Temporary release

Elmley does not offer release on temporary licence (ROTL) at the moment.

Organisations Elmley works with

Elmley works with The Forward Trust which offers many courses on health, well-being and motivation, as well as drug and alcohol treatment programmes.

There are relationship and ‘thinking’ programmes on offer to prisoners too, as well as help with resettlement issues like accommodation, banking, citizen ID cards, birth certificates and employment from Seetec .

Elmley also works with the charity Spurgeons which helps with family visiting days.

Support for family and friends

Family services at Elmley are provided by PACT.

To contact our head of family provision the Head of Reducing Reoffending at Elmley: [email protected] .

Support at Elmley

Visitor centre staff offer friendly advice and support to all families and can refer them on to other agencies, such as domestic abuse or debt management services.

They also help with applications for family proceedings and have access to Relate, who offer free parental counselling for a prisoner due for release, if he and his partner have children of school age.

Concerns, problems and complaints

In an emergency.

Call 01795 802000 if you think a prisoner is at immediate risk of harm. Ask for the Orderly Officer and explain that your concern is an emergency.

Problems and complaints

If you have a problem contact Elmley .

Inspection reports

HM Prison and Probation Service publishes action plans for Elmley in response to independent inspections.

Contact Elmley

Governor: Andy Davy

Telephone (24 hours): 01795 802 000 Fax: 01795 802 001 Find out about call charges

Email: [email protected]

HMP/YOI Elmley Church Road Eastchurch Sheerness Kent ME12 4DZ

Updated legal/professional and legal video visits information.

Secure video calls update - new phone provider.

Updated Governor

Updated visiting guidance based on 1 April COVID rule changes

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

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

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

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

New visiting times and booking information added.

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 visit info

Updated visiting information in line with new local restriction tiers.

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

Updated visiting information in line with coronavirus restrictions.

Added confirmation of secure video calls being made available at this prison.

Updated safer custody hotline details

added survey link

First published.

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5 reasons to visit Moscow

Currently hosting the Confederations Cup, and home to some of the most beautiful medieval churches, Moscow is a city one never forgets when visiting. From skyscrapers, art galleries, to the hustle and bustle of the Russian capital, Moscow is a city one should visit in their life.

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From ballet, to Russian architect, to galleries and vodka. Russia is a diverse city. The Russian capital is deemed to be one of the most beautiful in the world. Naturally being the capital of the largest country in the world, Moscow is sure to impress. Here are five reasons why Moscow should be your next destination.

1. Moscow’s Architect and Art

Leave your hotel or Airbnb and not too far, you’ll feel as if you time travelled back into Russian history as one feels it when walking through the streets of Moscow. Take a trip to the Kremlin and Red Square where one is sure to have their breath taken away with these magnificent views. Keeping up the with the Russian style, it is home to Saint Basil’s Cathedral, one of Moscow’s most iconic landmarks, as well as the Kremlin Palace, the official residence of the Russian president.

One can also take in views of the Moskva River. Tverskaya Street can give a Soviet Empire taste to tourists and can also be found in Moscow Central avenues. Now, when it comes to art in Moscow, look no further for a museum that will give a sense of the Russian culture. From the Moscow Museum of Modern Art to the State Tretyakov Gallery, all are bound to give you a unique experience with their collections and exhibitions as well.

2. City Parks

We know we know, we constantly brag about each cities parks, but each one has a unique vibrancy to them, and Moscow exceeds the expectations when it comes to parks. Becoming the “pride” of Moscow, and more “green” the parks of Moscow give peace and tranquillity. Never short of something to do one can ride a bike, play sports, go to a cafe or concert, or simply just take in the incredible views and just relax and walk. Fili Park, and Sokolniki Park are just of the many parks that are deemed to be an experience.

3. Nightlife

Like most cities, Russia has an amazing nightlife culture. Home to one of the most common alcoholic beverages, vodka, one can be sure to have a surreal experience when it comes to the nightlife in this vibrant capital. Diverse more than ever before, Moscow offers not only spectacular nightclubs and bars, but also distinctive ones. From amazing cocktails, to trendy bars, to intellectual bars where the hip hang out, Moscow gives away to some of the most fun nightlife cultures around.

4. Theater Traditions

If nightlife isn’t really your thing, and you’d much rather settle for a night out to the theatre then Moscow might as well become your second home. Theatres thrive in Moscow as plays and ballets are guaranteed to give a spectacular evening and experience. The Bolshoi Theater is among one of the most famous not just in Moscow or Russia, but the world. The theatre offers world famous opera and ballet performances guaranteed to have you on your feet at the end. Not in the mood for the old, then go for the new! New theatres such as the Praktika Theatre give contemporary performances with a modern vibe.

5. The Metro

You’re probably not going to see another metro or subway classier and pretty as this one. It’s no dirty and confusing New York City subway, nor is it as modern as the Tokyo metro but it is one of the most beautiful and largest in the world, not to mention convenient when getting around the city. With its dramatic sculptures, beautiful architecture, and detailed mosaics, it is sure to leave you with a lasting impression. Not only are they transportation systems but they’ve become tourist attractions with their unique stations.

Stephanie Valenzuela

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When is it best to visit the Kremlin ? - Moscow Forum

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When is it best to visit the Kremlin ?

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Is it really true that foreigners pay up to 5 times as much as Russians to get in ?

Thanks in advance

Tripadvisor staff removed this post at the original author's request.

As for the difference in price; I've no problem being charged an official tourist rate which is more than Russians pay (even though museums in UK are free to everyone). However, I do think Mostoflot (the cruise ship company hired by Jules Verne) are doing themselves no favours by charging 1720 for visiting the Armoury as an optional extra.

The Kremlin visit was included in the tour price.

So, to get back to the original post, foreigners do pay extra and, from our experience, foreigners who use cruise companies pay even more.

@ nowpetronius

"(even though museums in UK are free to everyone)"

???????????????????????????????????????????????????

I didn't understand this specific English humour. That does mean "free to everyone"? It was socialistic revolution in UK?

I was in Great Britain last autumn. Except for National gallery, I don't know other free museum (even in a gallery peoples give the money on voluntarily desire - I paid money, because it was some ashamed for me not to paid). Do you want to say that Tower, Madame Tussauds Museum, London Eye, Museum of Sherlock Holmes or Westminster Abbey are free to everyone? If you want, I will obtain the tickets (I saved it as a souvenir) and will write their prices.

Maybe, I simply did not understand you correctly...

Tussauds and Sherlock Holmes are NOT Museums but private businesses as such and are not owned by the government hence charge admission. The Tower has the same status as the Kremlin here really but at about half the price. Entrance fees to historic sites are charged all over the world and London is no worse than anywhere else frankly but its National museums are free.... to ALL foreign visitors.

Hi Hyperion82, sorry, it was me that didn't think carefully enough when I posted and now foxbat25 has given you the details.

As a UK citizen I do not feel guilty about not donating to the Museums that are free as it's my taxes that pay for them. It's a nice gesture, and I'm sure appreciated, if people do give.

For your interest we recently visited Chester Cathedral, Bamburg Castle and Lincoln Cathedral - we were charged in all of them.

If you like free stuff. Visit kolomenskoe the family estate of the old russian tzars. The giant wooden palace there will knock your socks off. Guaranteed.

Dammit Vladchan that was the one thing I did not have time for. Tsaritsino park was my choice on metro line 2 for my last day .

I wasnt dissapointed in it BTW :lol:

I do not wish to argue with you on statuses of British museums which have a free access. I will simply repeat that last year I was in Great Britain and have visited some museums. Unfortunately, I could not name the exact price which I paid for the tickets (because I had group trip and not saved all tickets), but I will say to you some prices:

1) Tower of London - 16.50 pounds;

2) The Palace of Holyroodhouse, EDINBURGH - 8.8 pounds (group adult);

3) Windsor castle - 13.30 pounds;

4) Westminster abbey - 12 pounds;

5) Madam Tussot Museum - near 40 pounds (I can mistake);

6) Sherlock Holmes Museum - near 5 pounds (I can mistake);

7) London Eye - 15 pounds.

The places you mention hyperion are historic sights or recreational/entertainment venues NOT museums which was the point I was trying to make. You can hardly expect such venues to be free surely ?

You have been quite unlucky by visiting the UK when you did frankly. The UK is probably considerably cheaper place to visit today than it was 1 year ago as our currency is now worth some 25% less than it was back then due to the collapse of the pound in the current financial crisis.

BTW Italy in my experience has been the most expensive country I've ever visited (Florence was outrageous) so I doubt you would find much joy for your wallet there..... and I'm from the UK !

Italy is overated and overpriced in my experience but if you like photographing the virtually permanent scaffolding on its many historic sights knock yourself out !

Now about a trip. As is generally known, Great Britain like Russia is a centralizated country, where the capital have a dominant role. In Italy due to historical reasons are very lot of interesting cities and cultural centers. I expected that a trip to Italy would be more expancive for me. I wronged appeared. Moreover, every church or cathedral it's the real work of art with painting of the famous Italian painters.

In Great Britain very lot of churches and castles (Tower, Edinburgh castle, Blair castle, Warwick, Windsore), but their internal atmosphere it's walls without any decorations. BTW, it was needed to pay for the visit of all these castles (and also for visiting of museum in Bath, Stonehendge, Blair Athol distillary, etc.) It was also need to pay for audioguide, as I don't freely speak English.

And last thing is transport. In Italy one ticket in subway costs only one euro (it's in two times more than in Moscow , but it is was normal for me).

There was a catastrophe in London . At first, there is incomprehensible zone system. Secondly, one ticket in subway costed more in seven times that in Moscow (and in three times more that in Italy). Thirdly, it was needed to save ticket during all trip. I thought that London metropoliten (the oldest in the world) compensated it by decoration of the stations. But not! All stations were one-typed with the walls of cold metallic color (real nightmare for claustrophobic peoples). For 150 years London subway could not made own stations more various. I think, Brits found a correct word for it - "tube". It's really look as tube from within.

I finished my discussion, as we talk about own feelings and experience.

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