HMP Highpoint
HMP Highpoint, located in Stradishall, Suffolk, is a Category C men’s prison. Initially opened in 1975, it has a capacity to house 1,373 men. Notably, the prison comprises two separate entities: Highpoint North and Highpoint South, which share many facilities including the reception. The site has a rich history, having served as a Royal Air Force base until 1970 and a transit camp for Ugandan Asian refugees before becoming a prison in 1977
Visitation and Contact HMP Highpoint
To visit an inmate at Highpoint, visitors must be listed on the inmate’s visitor list and book their visit 3 to 5 days in advance. Visitation at Highpoint North is available on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm. For Highpoint South, visits are scheduled on Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at varying times. Booking can be done online or via telephone at 01440 743 134, Monday to Friday from 8 am to 2 pm
HMP High Point Directions
Highpoint is accessible by various modes of transport. The nearest railway stations are Cambridge, Newmarket, Bury St Edmunds, and Audley End. From Bury St Edmunds, visitors can take a bus to the prison. Both North and South sites have car parks, with limited spaces for Blue Badge holders.
Visitation Rules and Facilities
Visitors aged 16 and older must provide valid identification and undergo a pat-down search. Highpoint enforces a strict dress code for visitors and offers locker facilities for personal belongings. Inside the prison, refreshment options are available, and children’s play areas, managed by the Ormiston Trust, are present in both the North and South visitor halls.
Life Inside HMP Highpoint
Highpoint is dedicated to providing a safe and educational environment, focusing on helping prisoners acquire new skills beneficial post-release. The safety and well-being of prisoners are prioritized, with staff responsible for their safeguarding.
New inmates receive a comprehensive induction program, addressing health, well-being, substance misuse issues, and personal development. This program includes information on prison rules, fire safety, and communication channels.
Accommodation at Highpoint consists of about 1300 prisoners across two sites, with a mix of double and single cell accommodations featuring toilets and showers. Cooking facilities are provided to encourage self-cooking.
Education and work opportunities include various workshops, offending behaviour courses, and classes in numerous skills. Prisoners can also work in different prison departments like kitchens and gardens.
Highpoint offers Release on Temporary Licence (RoTL) for eligible prisoners, allowing them to engage with the outside community under specific conditions.
Support and Organisations
Highpoint collaborates with several organizations for prisoner support, including the Ormiston Trust, Toe by Toe, the Ipswich and Suffolk Council for Racial Equalities, and Phoenix Futures. Healthcare is provided by Care UK, and education is managed by NOVUS, while the Shannon Trust focuses on literacy programs.
Contact Information
For contacting Highpoint, the main telephone number is 01440 743 100, and the fax number is 01440 743 092.
The prison address is HMP Highpoint, Stradishall, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 9YG. A Safer Custody hotline at 01440 743004 is also available for immediate concerns about a prisoner.