Liverpool Prison Telephone Number, Visits and Address
Last reviewed: July 2026
HMP Liverpool – still known locally as Walton – is a category C men’s prison in north Liverpool holding around 840 men across eight wings. If someone you care about has just arrived there, this page gives you the verified contact details, visiting times and booking steps in one place, so you can get in touch without ringing round or second-guessing old information.
Contact details at a glance
| What you need | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | HMP Liverpool, 68 Hornby Road, Liverpool L9 3DF |
| Switchboard (24 hours) | 0151 530 4000 |
| Social visits booking line | 0151 530 4050 (Mon–Fri, 8.30am–4.30pm) |
| Online booking | gov.uk/prison-visits |
| Video visits | [email protected] |
| Visitors’ centre (POPS) | 0151 530 4158, open daily 8.30am–5pm |
| Type of prison | Category C men’s prison, publicly run (HMPPS), approx. 840 places |
Visiting times at HMP Liverpool
Social visits run every day of the week. On weekdays there are two sessions, starting at 2pm and 3.35pm. At weekends there are four: 9am, 10.30am, 2pm and 3.30pm. You must book at least 48 hours ahead, and it is sensible to arrive about 30 minutes before your session starts so you have time to check in at the visitors’ centre, store your belongings in a locker and clear the search area calmly. Bring photo ID (passport, driving licence or similar) – adults without acceptable ID will be turned away, however far they have travelled.
How to book a visit
The easiest route is the GOV.UK online booking service: you will need the prisoner’s name, date of birth and prison number, plus the dates of birth of everyone visiting. You will get an email confirming the slot. If you prefer to speak to someone, or your visit is urgent, ring the booking line on 0151 530 4050 during office hours. Before your first visit, the prisoner needs to have added you to his approved visitor list, so make sure he has done that – it is the single most common reason bookings fail. We cover the general rules in our guide to prison visiting rules, and there is a step-by-step walkthrough on our booking a visit to Liverpool prison page.
What HMP Liverpool is like in 2026
Liverpool was for many years a category B local prison, but it has been re-categorised as a category C establishment, a change inspectors reviewed during their August 2025 inspection. An independent review of progress by HM Inspectorate of Prisons in May 2026 found reasonable progress on just over half of its concerns, with self-harm falling by around a third, though education and training still need work. Families can read more about daily life on our what is Liverpool prison like page or the fuller HMP Liverpool profile.
The visitors’ centre outside the gate is run by the family support charity POPS. It has toilets, a soft play area for small children and staff who deal with anxious first-time visitors every single day – do ask them anything. The prison also runs around six family days a year with a more relaxed format; ask the POPS team how to apply.
• Turning up without booking – Liverpool does not take walk-in social visits; book at least 48 hours ahead.
• Forgetting photo ID for every adult, and proof such as a birth certificate can help for children.
• Not being on the approved visitor list – the prisoner must add you first.
• Bringing phones, smartwatches or vapes to the visits hall – lock them in a visitors’ centre locker.
• Sending post without the prisoner’s full name and prison number on the envelope.
Writing, phoning and sending money
Letters should go to the Hornby Road address above with the prisoner’s name and number clearly marked. Prisoners can ring out (you cannot ring in to them), so expect calls from a withheld or unfamiliar number; keeping his phone credit topped up matters, and our prison phone credit guide explains how money reaches his account. Use the government’s send money to someone in prison service rather than posting cash, which will be confiscated.
A note from experience
This site is written with first-hand knowledge: founder Daniel Hockey served a sentence himself, from HMP Wandsworth through to open conditions at HMP Ford, and wrote about it in The Secret Prisoner (2021). The consistent lesson for families: visits go smoothly when you book early, bring ID and arrive with time to spare.
Frequently asked questions
What category is Liverpool prison?
HMP Liverpool is now a category C men’s prison, having previously operated as a category B local. It holds around 840 men.
Can I just phone a prisoner in Liverpool?
No. You cannot call a prisoner directly. The switchboard (0151 530 4000) handles enquiries only. Prisoners call out using credit on their prison phone account.
How far in advance do I need to book a visit?
At least 48 hours, and popular weekend slots fill quickly, so book as early as you can.
Is there parking at HMP Liverpool?
Street parking around Hornby Road is limited, so allow extra time; many visitors use public transport, and the prison is a short bus or taxi ride from Liverpool city centre.
Official sources: GOV.UK – Liverpool Prison and HM Inspectorate of Prisons.
