hmp durham prison visits

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Inside Time Reports
13th December 2014
Category B , Category B local with restricted status , Prison Visit

Prison information

Address: Old Elvet Durham DH1 3HU Switchboard: 0191 332 3400 Managed by: HMPPS Region: North East Category: B/Reception prison Link to: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/durham-prison

Description

Reception prison serving the courts in the region, majority population remand prisoners

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: Father and Child sessions & homework club with Dad

Acceptable forms of ID

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I’m trying to get in touch with my brother who is on remand at Durham jail, can I email him??? Send him a letter??? Ect…. could someone please tell me how I can let him know im thinking of him? Kind regards Louise mccue

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Durham 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: Durham 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: Durham 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: Durham Prison has chaplains representing different faiths who offer religious support and guidance to prisoners.

Contact Information

Booking a visit to durham prison.

Unlimited Prison Phone Calls Package

Mon: 13:45 – 15:45
Tue: 13:45 – 15:45 & 17:00 – 19:00
Wed: 13:45 – 15:45 & 17:00 – 19:00
Thu: 13:45 – 15:45 Fri: 13:45 – 15:45
Sat: 09:30 – 11:30 & 13:45 – 16:45
Sun: 09:30 – 11:30 & 13:45 – 16:45

Blog Government Digital Service

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 .

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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Durham Prison

Tel: 0191 332 3400 – Old Elvet, Durham, County Durham DH1 3HU

HMP Durham is a category B local prison , and currently holds both young offenders and adult males. It takes in both remanded and convicted inmates from the Durham, Tyneside and Cumbria courts. The prison was originally built in the early 19 th century, and over the years, has been both a male and a female prison. It has a capacity of 981. If you’re planning on visiting HMP Durham and want directions, please view the map on this page.

Tel: 0191 332 3400

Operational capacity: 1017 as of 8th March 2011.

Old Elvet, Durham, County Durham DH1 3HU

Prison Phone have been reducing the cist of calls from HMP Durham since 2013. Our service has helped thousands of inmates across the UK to stay in touch with friends and family without paying the extreamly high rates charged by the prison!

Send me Durham prison details via FREE SMS

Mobile number:

Here’s some facts about Durham Prison

HMP Durham is a category B prison that holds young and adult male offenders. Located in Old Elvet, near Durham, County Durham, HMP Durham has a capacity to hold 1001. The prison opened in the early 19th century.

According to the latest inspection report , the prison has 9 wings. A wing is for remand, convicted and sentenced prisoners, short and long term. B wing landings 2,3,4 hold full-time workers. Landing 1 holds vulnerable prisoners attached to C wing. C wing is the vulnerable prisoner wing. D wing and E wing are integrated drug treatment unit. F wing is the first night centre and induction unit. I wing is the drug recovery unit, G wing is the separation and care unit, and M wing holds health care inpatients.

Mary Ann Cotton , a serial killer, spent time here after killing people with arsenic.

Visiting hours are 13:45 – 15:45 Mon-Sun, 17:15 – 19:00 Wed, and 9:30 – 11:30 Sat-Sun .

HMP Durham’s most famous ex-inmates include Rosemary West, Myra Hindley, Mary Ann Cotton and Ronnie Kray.

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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Crime, justice and law
Prisons and probation

Low Newton Prison and Young Offender Institution

Low Newton is a prison and young offender institution (YOI) in Brasside, near Durham, for women aged 18 and over.

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

Book and plan your visit to Low Newton

Reception visits.

One Reception visit is permitted within the first 14 days of being taken into custody and will last a minimum of 30 minutes. The 14 days will start the day after arriving in custody.

A maximum of 3 adult visitors and no limit on children can attend a reception visit. Please note that a child is classed as anyone under the age of 18.

These visits do not need to be booked but they can only take place within the normal times of social visits. On arrival, visitors will need to go straight to the visitor centre and advise NEPACS staff that they are here for a reception visit.

Relevant checks need to be carried out on the visitors arrival to determine if the visit can go ahead. Visitors can wait in the visitors centre while the checks take place. NEPACS staff and volunteers are available to help. Visitors will be advised if the visit has been approved.

Visitors attending for a reception visit may bring a reception parcel to the visit. This parcel is limited to clothing and footwear. A full list of items that can be bought in are on the NEPACS website or will be listed on the Low Newton prison guide on the Gov.UK website.

NEPACS staff will check the parcels and items not on this list will not be allowed in and will be returned to the visitor.

All visitors must have the correct form of ID. Visitors will not be allowed to attend the visit if the correct ID is not presented prior to the visit.

To visit someone in Low Newton prison you must:

be on that person’s visitor list
book your visit between 2 weeks and 48 hours in advance
have the required ID with you when you go

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

are to arrive at the visitors’ centre for PM visits no earlier than 1 hour prior to the start of the visit, any late arrivals may be refused entry.

Refreshments are available in the main visits hall only. Visitors may take in £20 per adult to spend. Change is available at the visitors’ centre.

One clear baby bottle plus 1 unopened carton of baby milk or 1 clear bottle of breast milk will be permitted for babies along with changing materials.

Play areas are available for children under 16 in both Visitors Centre and the main visits hall.

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 Low Newton
somewhere to stay overnight

How to book family and friends visits

You can book your visit online or by telephone.

Telephone booking line: 0300 303 0632 Booking line opening times:

Monday: 12pm to 5pm
Tuesday: 9am to 5pm
Wednesday: 12pm to 5pm
Thursday: 9am to 5pm
Friday: 12pm to 5pm

Find out about call charges

Visiting times:

Tuesday: 1:45pm to 3:45pm
Thursday: 1:45pm to 3:45pm
Saturday: 1:45pm to 3:45pm
Sunday: 1:45pm to 3:45pm

Visitors are advised not to arrive to the prison until 1 hour before the visit start time.

Prisoners that haven’t been convicted may have 2 weekday visits and 1 weekend visit as per our current visit schedule.

How to book legal and professional visits

Legal and professional visits can be booked via the central booking telephone line 0300 303 0632.

Booking line opening times:

You can also book online.

We can offer Video Legal Visits which can be booked by emailing the following email address:

[email protected]

These are subject to availability of video conferencing rooms.

Tuesday: 2:15pm to 4:15pm
Thursday: 2:15pm to 4:15pm

Getting to Low Newton

Find Low Newton on a map

Bus: Buses run from North Road in Durham (0.5 miles from the station). No. 62 runs twice hourly and No 64 runs every 10 minutes to Rothbury Road (on Newton Hall Estate) which is a 10 min walk to the establishment.

Train: Durham City is the nearest station. It’s a 10-15 minute walk to the bus stop, or taxis operate from both the station and bus stop.

Car: From the north or south take the A1 (M) to the A167 Chester le Street slip road. On the roundabout below the A1 take the exit posted A167 Durham (from the North it is the 3rd exit from the South it is the first). Coming the second roundabout, follow the A167 Durham Sign, going straight on. There is a large BP garage on the right. You come to another roundabout, go straight ahead, following signpost A167 Durham. Go on to another roundabout, go straight ahead, A167 Durham. You will go under a railway bridge, carry straight on the dual carriageway, straight through the two new roundabouts at Chester Moor and the Red Lion. At the next big roundabout, take the first left signposted Arnison Centre, Newton Hall, Finchale Priory. Carry on past McDonalds, Sainsburys etc. on your right. At the next roundabout go straight across, signposted Newton Hall, Brasside, Finchale Priory. Continue a short distance to another roundabout, (housing estate on the right, Newton Grange pub/hotel on your left). Turn left signposted Newton Hall, Brasside, Finchale Priory. Go on down the hill, under the railway bridge. Take the first right for Low Newton prison.

There is a visitor’s car park at the front of the prison but parking is limited during the week.

To plan your journey by public transport:

use National Rail enquiries
use Traveline for local bus times

Entering Low Newton

All visitors, aged 16 or older must prove their identity before entering the prison. 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 should dress appropriately, or you could be turned away.

You can purchase refreshments during your visit.

You will need to leave any valuables in a locker before entering the visitor area.

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

On visiting days the Nepacs visitors centre , (outside the prison next to the visitors car park) is open from 12:30pm to 4pm. Visitors centre staff can provide information and support.

There is a tea bar facility Visits are limited to 12 prisoners per Social Visit session, 3 Official/Legal visits, up to 3 closed visits. 3 adults per prisoner, for more than 3 child visitors required, Family Services may contact the prison for approval. Toilet facilities are available.

Visitors using wheelchairs need to make their own arrangements to travel from the visitors centre to the prison. There are no extra prison staff available to push wheelchair users. The route to the main visits hall from the visitors centre is ramped to allow access and takes around 4 minutes.

Family days

The Family Days and Child Parent days have resumed. Approval to attend can be gained by the prisoner through application to the Offender Management Unit (OMU) team managing this service.

Keeping in touch with someone at Low Newton

There are several ways you can keep in touch with a prisoner during their time at Low Newton.

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.

Phone calls

All cells at Low Newton now have telephones. Prisoners have phones in their own cells so they will always have to call you. They have to buy phone credits to do this. Prisoners can make calls between 7.30am and 9pm for a maximum of 60 minutes per day.

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 up to a week before they are able to call.

There are phones on all wings of the prison that can be accessed at certain times. Prisoners may make calls totalling 90 minutes in one 24 hour period.

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 Low Newton using the Email a Prisoner service .

You might also be able to attach photos and receive replies from the prisoner, depending on the rules at Low Newton.

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

If you do not know their prison number, contact Low Newton or use the Prisoner Location Service .

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

Parcels are permitted into HMP Low Newton with the following restrictions:

All parcels sent in should be done so after the correct approval has been granted by the prison and only from the approved sender:

Unauthorised parcels will be refused.

12 month prisoner parcel allowance – (allowance runs 1 Jan to 31 Dec)
4 x a year parcels for Enhanced Prisoners
2 x a year parcels for Standard Prisoners
0 x parcels for Basic Prisoners

Only items on the current facilities list will be permitted. All parcels should be clearly marked with the senders’ information.

There is a limit to property allowances – please be aware when sending parcels in that items exceeding the allowance will be held or returned to sender.

Flowers are permitted to be sent in but all orders must be via approved suppliers.

Prisoners are given a list of approved items that can be sent to them as gifts from a catalogue or the on-site shop. Contact Low Newton for more information on what is allowed.

Make sure to include the person’s name and prison number on the parcel.

Family and friends 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 .

All parcels will be opened and checked by officers.

Life at Low Newton

Low Newton is committed to providing a safe and educational environment where prisoners can plan for a positive future and learn new skills to help them on release.

Security and safeguarding

Every person at Low Newton has a right to feel safe. The staff at Low Newton 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 .

Low Newton trains prisoners to be ‘listeners’ for those who need support during difficult times.

Arrival and first night

When a prisoner first arrives at Low Newton, 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.

1 x reception visit allowed within the first 7 days without prior booking.

Remand Prisoners – can book visits subject to availability.

Sentenced and convicted prisoners can book visits subject to visiting orders and space availability. Priviledge visiting orders cannot be used at the weekends.

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

They will be offered a hot meal and shower and get a pack of essential items and £2 of phone credit.

An interpreter will be available if needed.

Regular induction has been re-introduced to HMP Low Newton. This takes place over the first 2 weeks of custody. Initial induction wing familiarisation is in place for all new arrivals.

They will 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

Around 340 prisoners live at Low Newton.

The accommodation is a mix of single cells with their own or shared washing facilities. There are also some 3-person cells.

Telephones are available to prisoners on wings and are accessible by PIN-phone accounts. There are no phones in cells.

Faith services

Chaplains offer counselling and support. There is a multi-faith group and special events like a Christmas carol service.

Prisoners can apply to attend Sunday services. Multi-faith chaplains visit each week and there are weekly prayer and faith groups.

Education and work

The education provider is NOVUS, providing classroom based functional and vocational skills. Distance learning is still available. Wamitab (cleaning), CRED and Enterprise (sewing) work parties are now running.

Gym sessions for prisoners available. Kitchen, Horticulture and Recycling work available offering qualifications. Shannon Trust peer to peer learning to read available.

Education and training opportunities include:

health and hygiene training
gardening skills
call centre skills
hairdressing, fashion and beauty
literacy and numeracy
life skills, including child-parent studies

The psychology department offers treatment programmes including:

enhanced thinking skills
relapse prevention
life skills development

Prisoners also have the opportunity to take on orderlies responsibilities, such as in the gym and reception unit, and to get involved in cookery, art and craft.

Prisoners also have access to a library and support from a visiting librarian.

There is also a ‘drop in’ learning facility using computer based learning packages. Both prisoners and staff choose their own time and pace to learn.

Temporary release

Prisoners can sometimes be released on temporary licence, based on a full risk assessment, to help them prepare more gradually for return to the community.

Some prisoners get to live with families for short periods of time and can use this time to plan accommodation or research education and work opportunities for when they are released.

Some prisoners also have work placements in the community, being released on a day-to-day basis to allow them to be in the community and develop their work skills.

Support for family and friends

Find out about advice and helplines for family and friends .

To contact the family and significant other prison lead please email FamilySupportServices .Low [email protected] and provide return contact information.

Support at Low Newton

NEPACS provide our Visitor Centre service.

Contact info: 0800 012 1539.

Further information can be found at www.nepacs.co.uk

Twitter direct messaging service (DM) available – responses within 24 hours. Twitter notifications updated with key news points and good news. You can follow the account at @HMPLowNewton.

Email a prisoner service has been upgraded to include pictures.

Safer Custody

If you think the prisoner is at immediate risk please call the switchboard on 0191 376 4000 and ask for the Orderly Officer and explain that your concern is an emergency.

If your concern is urgent but not life-threatening, please call the Safer Custody Helpline on 0191 376 4189 or contact the prison Safer Custody team using the web form (the team will pick up all contact forms within 72 hours).

Concerns, problems and complaints

In an emergency.

Call 0191 376 4000 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 any other problem contact Low Newton.

Inspection reports

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

Contact details

Governor: Guy Pidduck

Telephone: 0191 376 4000 Monday to Sunday, 24 hours (switchboard) Find out about call charges

Email: [email protected]

HMP/YOI Low Newton Brasside Durham DH1 5YA

Updated visiting guidance based on 1 April COVID rule changes

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

Updated visiting information: Visits temporarily suspended

Updated physical contact guidance

In-cell telephony update.

Updated visiting information for newly arrived prisoners.

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 national restrictions in England.

Updated visiting information in line with coronavirus restrictions.

Added legal visits booking information

Updated visiting times for family and friends.

Updated: Low Newton prison visiting information in line with coronavirus restrictions.

Updated: HMP Low Newton visiting times and visiting procedure changes in line with coronavirus restrictions.

Updated governor name from Gabrielle Lee to Rob Young

Updated information to include confirmation of secure video calls being available at this prison.

updated survey link

Prison visits update.

First published.

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Family Prison Visits Volunteer

General overview of role: Family prison visits volunteers will be based in the Visitor Centre. The visitors’ centres exist to meet the needs of adults and children visiting relatives or friends in prison. They aim to offer, "a safe, pleasant environment where all visitors are met with dignity and respect, provided with the facilities they need and offered information, support and the opportunity to discuss the difficulties they may face in confidence” (Prison Service Guidelines, 1996). This statement sums up the basic principles underlying the Nepacs visitors’ centres. Volunteers in this role will offer a warm welcome to all visitors arriving for a domestic visit and register all visitors who arrive. They will also provide refreshments and offer emotional support and information to the families who are waiting for a visit.

Role description: Main tasks will include: • Welcome visitors and register and log each visitor as they arrive • Serve refreshments • To offer any information and support as necessary to the families of prisoners • To explain to new visitors the visiting process • To promote the Nepacs family support service available to prisoners and visiting families and friends • To take family support referrals and forward them to the Nepacs family support worker • Respond to lower level family support enquiries • To promote the Assisted Prison Visits Scheme to families • To raise any issues or concerns regarding the safety of children or vulnerable adults and follow the Nepacs safeguarding policy and processes

Skills required: • Welcoming and friendly outlook • Non judgemental attitude • Ability to work as part of a team • An understanding of confidentiality • Sensitive to the needs of visitors • Basic numeracy and literacy

HMP Durham Visitors' Centre, Durham, DH1 3HU

Expenses: Public transport costs or mileage up to 22 mile radius at 40p per mile. Training and support: • Initial project induction and training • Level 1 Safeguarding training available • Invite to Nepacs Generic induction • Volunteer meetings are held at regular intervals throughout the year • NEPACS offer a training day for all volunteers annually • Volunteers are eligible to attend some prison organised training Commitment Nepacs asks volunteers • To commit to the project and its purpose and give notice of absence as soon as possible • To undertake an induction programme • To agree to a DBS check and prison clearance (this will require a form of photo ID)

Volunteers can expect: • Support from staff • Training opportunities • Invitation to volunteer meetings • Recognition of their work

What does NEPACS do? NEPACS is all about supporting a positive future for prisoners and their families. We strongly believe that investment must be made in resettlement and rehabilitation to ensure that there are fewer crime victims in the future, and less prospect of family life being disrupted and possibly destroyed by a prison sentence. As a charity with a strong regional base including over 200 volunteers from all walks of life, we are determined to play our part in promoting family ties and facilitate resettlement. Ministry of Justice figures tell us that prisoners are 39% less likely to reoffend if they have had visits throughout their prison sentence. That's a strong argument for keeping families together. We are also concerned about the damaging impact of a prison sentence on the families themselves and seek to limit this through informal support and signposting for help with finance, childcare and health issues. After all, the families haven't committed the crime, but they, especially the children, are greatly affected by the punishment.

The Nepacs helpline is here to support people navigating their way through the criminal justice system in the North East. We can offer information and support to individuals, their families and loved ones at the point of arrest, at court, throughout a prison sentence, and on release.

Our friendly team of helpline volunteers are available to offer a listening ear to those who need someone to talk to, and will provide important information about processes and next steps.

Normal opening hours Monday to Friday - office hours

Freephone 0800 012 1539 Email [email protected] Text 07983 437 457

If you have concerns about a loved one in prison you can contact the prison's Safer Custody line. Details are on our website here.

Prisons in the north east

If you know the location of your loved one in prison and would prefer to call the Nepacs staff based at that establishment the contact details are below.

HMP Holme House and HMP Kirklevington Grange - Visitor centres 01642 744080. You can also contact the Holme House family support team Monday to Friday on 01642 744418 (leave a message and someone will call you back).

HMP Durham visitors - Visitors centre 0191 332 3676 or 0191 332 3484

HMP Frankland visitors - Visitors centre 0191 376 5200, Tuesday to Sunday from 11.30am to 4pm

HMP&YOI Low Newton visitors - Visitors centre 0191 376 4138 (Tuesday, Thurs, Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons) or family support 0191 376 4232 (9am to 5pm Monday to Friday)

HMP Deerbolt visitors - Visitors centre 01833 633272, 11am to 4pm, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday

HMP Northumberland visitors - Visitors centre 01670 383736. 9am to 11am Mon and Tues, 9am to 4pm Wed, Thurs & Friday, 12noon to 4pm Saturday and Sunday)

For children and young people aged 8 to 17 years If you are worried about a young person involved in the criminal justice or care system in the north east and would like to arrange for some telephone or online support please contact our youth project on [email protected]

You can also contact us or give feedback on our services by filling out the form below.

If your enquiry is urgent and regarding the safety of a loved one in prison, then please contact the prison direct and speak to their safer custody team as this e-mail is not monitored 24/7.

Please note that although we will endeavour to treat all information confidentially some of our mailboxes are accessed by a number of Nepacs staff and volunteers. Please limit confidential personal information or identifiable data in any email correspondence. If you are concerned about privacy and would like to have a confidential discussion, please contact us by telephone.

For general enquiries you can contact our head office:

20 Old Elvet, Durham, DH1 3HW

General enquiries: Tel: 0191 375 7278

Get in touch

Please note: We are unable to help with booking or cancelling prison visits. Please ring the relevant booked visits line to book or cancel.

How to find us

Help & support

Visiting prison?

DoingTime, a guide to prison and probation

Community News
Inspections,
Regimes,
IRP Reports
Visits and getting there,
Local News

Key Contact Details

The prison is part of the North East Region and is run by HMPS. It has a capacity of 996 and the #1 governor is Philip Husband, who has been in charge since August 2018.