hmp swaleside 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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General Information, HMP Swaleside

Swaleside opened in 1988 with four wings, and over the years 4 more wings have been added. It is located on the Isle of Sheppey, near Eastchurch village.

Accommodation

• A wing – closed
• B wing – compact-based vulnerable prisoner unit
• C wing – closed
• D wing – first night centre and induction
• E wing – drug, alcohol and substance misuse treatment unit and incentivised substance-free living unit
• F wing – one half forms the psychologically informed planned environment (PIPE)
• G wing – one half is a lifers’ community
• H wing – unit for prisoners convicted of sexual offences

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Swaleside Prison Information

• Accommodation: The prison provides 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: Swaleside Prison places a strong emphasis on education and vocational training. Inmates have access to a range of educational programs, including basic education, literacy, numeracy, and accredited courses. Vocational training opportunities are also available to develop employable skills and enhance prospects for successful reintegration into society.
• Work Opportunities: Inmates at Swaleside Prison have access to various work activities within the prison, such as maintenance, cleaning, kitchen, and other designated roles. These work activities aim to develop skills, instill discipline, and promote a sense of responsibility.
• Healthcare: Swaleside Prison has an on-site healthcare unit staffed with medical professionals who provide primary healthcare services to prisoners. Mental health support, substance abuse programs, and specialized medical care are also available.
• Family Contact: The prison recognizes the importance of maintaining family relationships and facilitates visits and contact with family members, subject to specific guidelines and regulations.
• Resettlement Support: Swaleside Prison offers pre-release planning and support to help inmates prepare for their eventual release. This may include assistance with accommodation, employment, and access to community-based support services.

Contact Information

Booking a visit to swaleside prison.

• Tuesday: 2:15 to 3:45pm
• Wednesday: 2:15 to 3:45pm
• Thursday: 2:15 to 3:45pm
• Sunday: 2:15 to 3:45pm

Unlimited Prison Phone Calls Package

• Valid Passport
• Valid Photographic
• Driving Licence (full or provisional)
• Citizen Card
• Senior Citizens Bus Pass Travel Card (issued by Scottish Government)
• Utility bill
• Council tax bill
• Benefit book
• Bank statement
• other letter from official source

Swaleside Prison

Tel: 01795 804100  –  Brabazon Road, Eastchurch, Isle of Sheppey, Kent ME12 4AX

HMP Swaleside is a category B training prison , currently holding adult males serving sentences of 4 years or more. It is one of the prisons in the Sheppey Cluster; an amalgamation of three prisons in total. The other prisons in the group are HMP Elmley and HMP Standford Hill . Operational capacity at HMP Swaleside is 1,112. If you’d like to find out how to get to this prison, please refer to the map on this page.

Tel: 01795 804100

Operational capacity: 1112 as of 3rd February 2010

Brabazon Road, Eastchurch, Isle of Sheppey, Kent ME12 4AX

Prison Phone have been saving inmates at HMP Swaleside money on their calls from the prison to any UK mobile phone since 2013.

We do this by allocating a dedicated and secure local number to your mobile phone, this means when the inmate at Swaleside prison calls the new local number we have provided they will be charged at just the local landline rate (around 10p per minute) rather than the standard mobile rate (which is around 40p per minute).

This in turn helps to stretch the inmates PINS phone credit further and reduces the amount you need to send in for them to top up!

Send me Swaleside prison details via FREE SMS

Mobile number:

Here’s some facts about Swaleside Prison

HMP Swaleside is a category B men’s prison in Eastchurch, on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent. Opened in 1988, the prison has capacity to hold 1,112 male inmates. It is an active part of the Sheppey cluster of prisons (consisting of HMP Standford Hill, HMP Elmley and HMP Swaleside.)

A wing and C wing hold 126 prisoners each. B wing holds 126 prisoners, including people separated for their own protection and those involved in the managing challenging behaviour programme. D wing holds 126 prisoners, including those in the induction unit. E wing holds 120 prisoners on the enhanced regime. F wing also holds 120 prisoners, mainly those in the PIPE. G wing holds 178 prisoners including those involved in the integrated drug treatment system (IDTS). H wing holds 178 prisoners, including those on the Rehabilitation of Addicted Prisoners Trust programme. The segregation unit holds 25-bed unit, and the health care unit is a 17-bed inpatient unit.

60 inmates at HMP Swaleside started a riot in late December 2016. It started in the 22 nd December, when fires were lit in the prison, and was halted in the early hours of the 23 rd December 2017.

MI5 agent Michael Bettany was jailed in 1984 for “offering secrets to Russia”. He was held at HMP Swaleside for part of his sentence before parole in 1998.

To view the latest HMIP inspection report, click here .

Visiting hours are 14:00 – 16:00 Mon-Sun.

A pair of men had been caught in April 2017 after flying Class A and Class B drugs into the jail.

HMP Swaleside, along with HMP Birmingham, experienced intense riots in the December of 2016, with staff shortages central to the outbreaks.

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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HMP Swaleside: Prison struggling due to staffing levels, inspectors say

• Published 12 December 2023

A prison holding men convicted of serious offences is continuing to struggle because of its reliance on staff brought in from other jails, inspectors said.

HM Inspectorate of Prisons said Swaleside, Kent, delivered a "severely restricted daily routine".

It comes after a report into the prison in October 2022 found staffing levels to be at "crisis point"

The government said the report recognised its "hardworking staff".

HMP Swaleside is a category B training prison located on the Isle of Sheppey.

At the time of the inspection in September it held 813 prisoners.

Inspectors said the prison failed to provide a "purposeful, rehabilitative environment needed for a high-risk population".

Charlie Taylor, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, said: "This was our sixth visit to Swaleside since 2016. During that time, we have repeatedly raised significant concerns about the prison.

"Overall, this was a concerning inspection. Swaleside is a prison that continues to struggle and where outcomes still need to improve dramatically.

"Without the reduction in the prisoner population and the deployment of staff from other jails, it is hard to imagine how the prison would have coped."

The inspection highlighted some improvements, including a reduction in levels of self-harm and the positive work being done to understand the causes of violence.

A Prison Service spokesman said: "We are pleased inspectors recognised the efforts of our hardworking staff which have helped reduce incidents of self-harm at the prison.

"With significantly increased salaries of over £30,000, we're also recruiting and retaining more prison officers - with 4,600 more across the country than in 2017 - enabling us to quickly deploy staff to where they're needed most."

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Related Topics

• HM Prison Service

More on this story

Concerns raised over staffing pressures at prisons

• Published 18 October 2023

Staffing at 'crisis point' in high security jail

• Published 5 October 2022

Footage from inside HMP Swaleside

• Published 23 December 2016

Prison wing reclaimed after disturbance

Related Internet Links

HM Inspectorate of Prisons

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HMP Swaleside

From February 2020 arrangements for Ofsted inspection of education, skills and work in prisons and young offender institutions are:

• We usually inspect as part of a His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) inspection and our findings are published in the ‘Purposeful activity’ section of the report on the  HMIP website .
• We may carry out an inspection without HMIP and our findings are published on this website.

 From January 2012 to February 2020 we only inspected with HMIP.

Rating and reports

All reports.

31 March 2008

17 September 2004

19 July 2002

About HMP Swaleside

• Type: Prison and young offender institutions
• Religious character: Does Not Apply
• Local authority: Kent
• Address: Brabazon Road, Eastchurch, Isle of Sheppey, Kent, ME12 4AX
• Region: South East

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Rochester Prison

Rochester is a prison and young offender institution for men over 18 in Rochester, Kent.

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

Book and plan your visit to Rochester

To visit someone in Rochester you must:

• be on that person’s visitor list
• book your visit at least 2 working days in advance
• have the required ID with you when you go

Seating arrangements at this prison allow 3 visitors over the age of 16, plus 3 children under that age. Children may have to sit on your lap. At least one visitor must be 18 or older at every visit.

There may be a limit to the number of visits a prisoner can have. You can check this with Rochester.

Contact Rochester 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 Rochester prison
• Somewhere to stay overnight

How to book family and friends visits

You can book your visit online or by telephone.

Telephone booking line: 0300 060 6513 Find out about call charges

The booking line is open:

• Monday, Wednesday and Friday: midday to 5pm
• Tuesday and Thursday: 9am to 5pm

Visiting times:

• Monday: 2pm to 3:45pm
• Tuesday: 2pm to 3:45pm
• Wednesday: 2pm to 3:45pm
• Thursday: 2pm to 3:45pm
• Friday: 2pm to 3:45pm
• Saturday:  9:15am to 10:45am and 2pm to 3:45pm
• Sunday: 2pm to 3:45pm

Legal visits

Legal visits run Monday to Friday from 9:30am to midday.

Entering Rochester

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 rub-down search, including children
• You may also be subject to a search by trained 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 Rochester. 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 if you have any questions about visiting.

Getting to Rochester

Find HMP Rochester on google maps .

To plan your journey by public transport use:

• National Rail Enquiries
• Arriva for local bus times

There is a free visitors car park.

There is also a disabled visitors car park.

Keep in touch with someone at Rochester

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

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

You can request a secure video call with someone in this prison via the Prison Video app.

You will receive a notification when your request has been accepted.

Read more about how it works

Phone calls

Prisoners have phones in their cells, as well as access to phones in communal areas. They can only make outgoing calls so they will always have to call you. They have to buy phone credits to do this.

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 Rochester and get replies from them using the Email a Prisoner service . You can also attach photos and they will be printed off and handed out.

You can write at any time.

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

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

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 .

Prisoners with standard or enhanced privileges can receive a clothing parcel once every 6 months. Make sure to include the person’s name and prisoner number on the parcel. All parcels will be opened and checked by officers.

Other items must be ordered by the prisoners using an approved catalogues or from the ‘canteen’.

Family days

HMP Rochester run 12 family visits a year. Details on how and when these visits will run can be found by contacting the family services manager.

Life at Rochester

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

Security and safeguarding

Every prisoner at Rochester 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 a prisoner first arrives at Rochester, 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 arriving at Rochester gets an induction that lasts about a week. 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

Rochester holds around 695 prisoners in single and double cells, some of which have showers.

Education and work

As a resettlement prison, Rochester offers a wide range of vocational training, work opportunities and offending behaviour programmes .

Vocational training includes painting and decorating, brick laying, carpentry, stone masonry, plastering, tiling, welding, construction skills, catering and gym courses.

There are educational opportunities, including English and maths, IT, mentoring and distance learning.

Temporary release

Release on temporary licence (ROTL) allows prisoners that meet its criteria to visit and stay over with family or partners. Once prisoners are in their last 6 months, they can apply. It happens once a month, starting with 2 nights and going up to 4.

Prisoners can be released on ‘special purpose licence’ in exceptional circumstances, if the criteria are met.

‘Resettlement day release’ is also considered for anyone who wants access to training and education.

There is rigorous risk assessment prior to any period of release being granted.

Organisations Rochester works with

Rochester also works with:

• the Forward Trust which helps prisoners to stop reoffending
• MKET to provide education
• NHS England for healthcare
• Inreach which offers help to people with special needs
• Nacro for support with housing
• Sussex Pathways for restorative justice and resettlement

Support for family and friends

Find out about advice and helplines for family and friends .

Support at Rochester

Family services at Rochester are provided by PACT. .

Concerns, problems and complaints

In an emergency.

Call 01634 803100 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, please write to the correspondence/complaints department at the main address.

Inspection reports

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

Contact Rochester

Governor: Dean Gardiner

Telephone: 01634 803 100 Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm, with an external switchboard at other times Fax: 01634 803 101 Find out about call charges

Email: [email protected]

Replies are usually posted out in 2-3 weeks.

HMP/YOI Rochester 1 Fort Road Rochester Kent ME1 3QS

Opening hours updated for visits booking telephone line.

Secure video calls update.

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.

Updated physical contact guidance

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.

Visits update

Updated visit info

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

Updated visiting information in line with coronavirus restrictions.

Updated video call info

added survey link

First published.

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