How Long is a Prison Visit in the UK?

Prison visits in the UK typically last for one hour. During this time, a convicted prisoner can receive social visits once every fortnight and weekend visits every four weeks. Each visit can include up to three adults and accompanying children. However, children under 18 years old cannot visit alone; an adult must accompany them.

What’s Allowed During a Prison Visit?

During a social visit, the prisoner and the visitor will sit together in the same room. Reasonable physical contact, such as a hug, is generally allowed. However, visitors are not permitted to give any items, including mobile phones, to the prisoner. Before entering the visitation area, visitors must leave all belongings in a locker, and they may be subject to a pat-down and security check, similar to airport procedures.

How Long is a Prison Visit in the UK?

Closed Visits:

If prison guards suspect that a visitor might attempt to smuggle contraband to the prisoner, they may designate the visits as ‘closed visits.’ In a closed visit, the nature of the interaction between the prisoner and visitor depends on the prison’s facilities. It might involve strict supervision or physical separation by a pane of glass. Closed visits typically last for three months, after which the situation is reevaluated. If a visitor is caught smuggling items into the prison, they may be banned from further visits, with the possibility of reevaluation after three months.

Visiting Someone in Prison:

To visit someone in prison, it’s essential to determine if a visiting order is required. If so, the prisoner needs to complete the order and send it to the visitor. Visitors can then book their visit, and nowadays, many prisons allow online booking. Visitors to high-security (category A) prisons may undergo security checks before being approved for visiting.

How Long is a Prison Visit in the UK? Taking Children

1. Taking Children to Prison Visits:
  Children can generally accompany visitors to see someone in prison, except in cases where the prisoner has been convicted of a child sex offense. Some prisons provide play areas within the visitation halls, with toys and games to make the experience less intimidating. Some may also require ID for both children and adults.
  Assistance with Visiting Costs:
  Individuals on a low income or receiving benefits may be eligible for financial assistance with the cost of visiting their relative in prison. The Assisted Prison Visits Unit (APVU) provides help in such cases.

What to Bring:

All visitors need to carry personal identification, preferably a passport or photo-driving license.

Banned Items:

Visitors must not attempt to bring illegal drugs, alcohol, weapons, cameras, mobile phones, indecent or obscene material, or anything that could threaten the prison’s security or is written in code. If unsure, it’s best to contact the prison directly.

Reception Visits:

Upon their arrival at the prison, prisoners are usually allowed to make a phone call to inform family or friends of their location. In a category B prison or a facility accepting prisoners entering custody for the first time (either on remand or after sentencing), a reception visit is granted within 72 hours without a visiting order.

Giving Money to the Prisoner:

While visitors can send money to prisoners in the form of a postal order, they cannot hand it to them during a visit.