Dartmoor Prison

Dartmoor Prison

Dartmoor Prison is a Cat C male prison and can hold upto 659 Prisoners. Dartmoor Prison is located in Princetown in the county of Devon. The Prison itself is owned by the Duchy of Cornwall and operated by HMPPS.

If you’re looking at spending time in Dartmoor or support someone that will be going to prison at Dartmoor, you may benefit rom reading our Prison Survival Guide: If you are due to go to Prison or currently have someone you know inside Prison, You may benefit from reading our comprehensive Prison Guide: Click here to download

Dartmoor Prison dates back to 1806 when the foundation stone was laid by Sir Thomas Tyrwhitt. The first prisons were constructed from stones obtained by breaking up the boulders lying around the site supplemented by dressed stone from nearby Herne Hole quarry (owned by Mr. Tyrwhitt). It took twice as long as thought to build Dartmoor prison because of the notorious Dartmoor Weather.

First prisoners arrived to Dartmoor on 22nd May 1809 and the prison was full by the end of the year. It soon became overcrowded and remained so.

How to book a Visit to Dartmoor Prison?
You can book a visit via the Dartmoor prison hotline on: 01822 322 022

The booking line is open:

  • Monday: 12pm to 3pm
  • Tuesday to Thursday: 10am to 1pm
  • Friday: 9am to 12pm
UNLIMITED PRISON CALLS

Dartmoor Prison Contact Details

HMP Dartmoor Prison Address:
Princetown
Yelverton
Devon
PL20 6RR
Dartmoor Prison Contact Details
Dartmoor Prison Telephone Number: 01822322000

Dartmoor Prison Visits

Visiting times:

  • Thursday to Sunday: 9:30am to 11:30am and 2pm to 4pm

What do you need to bring with you to a visit to Dartmoor Prison?

To visit someone in Dartmoor you must:

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

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

Most residents in Dartmoor are allowed up to 3 visits per month. You can check this with Dartmoor.

All visitors aged 16 and older need to bring one of the following types of photo ID:

  • passport
  • driving licence
  • benefit book
  • senior citizen’s public transport pass
  • annual public transport season ticket (with photo card)
  • employer ID card (if it shows the name of the visitor and the employer)
  • European Community identity card

All visitors will need to be given a pat-down search, including children. You may also be sniffed by security dogs.

Directions to Dartmoor Prison, How to get there?

The prison is in quite a remote location, about 8 miles for Tavistock, and the nearest mainline railway station is Plymouth, A bus runs from  Plymouth bus station to Tavistock for the connecting bus service to Princetown

Is there car parking at Dartmoor Prison?

The visitors’ car park is situated approx 150 yards before the prison on the right hand side.

GET HELP WITH THE COSTS OF VISITS TO DARTMOOR PRISON:

You can get help covering the costs of visiting someone in prison if you meet the following criteria:

  • Income Support
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • Employment and Support Allowance
  • Universal Credit
  • Tax credits
  • Pension Credit

You might be able to get help covering the travel costs, meals and accommodation. CLICK HERE TO GET HELP WITH PRISON VISIT COSTS

IF YOU NEED HELP WITH PRISON ADVICE OR NEED PRISON SUPPORT, SEE OUR SERVICES HERE