Manchester Prison (Strangeways) Telephone Number, Visits and Address
Last reviewed: July 2026
HMP Manchester – almost everyone still calls it Strangeways – is a high-security (category A) men’s prison holding around 750 men just north of Manchester city centre. Because it holds high-security prisoners, its visit booking system is unusual, and turning up expecting the normal online booking route is the most common mistake families make. Here is how it actually works.
Contact details at a glance
| What you need | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | HMP Manchester, 1 Southall Street, Manchester M60 9AH |
| Switchboard | 0161 817 5600 |
| Reception visits (new arrivals) | 0161 817 5655 or [email protected] (Mon–Thu 8am–4pm, Fri 8am–12 noon) |
| All other social visits | Booked by the prisoner from inside (prisoner-led applications) |
| Visitors’ centre (POPS) | 0161 817 5630 |
| Type of prison | High-security (category A) men’s prison, publicly run, approx. 750 places |
Visiting times at HMP Manchester
Social visits run Monday to Wednesday from 2.15pm to 4pm, with Thursday’s session at the same time set aside as an accessibility session. On Saturdays there are two sessions, 9.30–11.30am and 2.15–4pm, and on Sundays one from 2.15pm to 4pm. Arrive in good time: security checks at a high-security prison are more thorough than at local prisons, and latecomers can lose their slot. Every adult needs photo ID, and expect a search, a metal detector and possibly a passive drugs dog.
How visits are booked – read this before anything else
Unlike most prisons, HMP Manchester does not use the standard GOV.UK online booking service for ongoing visits. When someone first arrives, the family can book a reception visit by phone or email using the details above. After that, the prisoner applies for a visit from inside the prison and nominates who is coming; the prison then confirms the date. So if you are waiting for a visit, the practical step is to write to him or take his calls and agree the date between you – you cannot push the booking through from outside. More detail is on our booking a visit to Manchester prison page, and the general rules are in our prison visiting rules guide.
What HMP Manchester is like in 2026
It is fair to say Strangeways has had a rough period. In October 2024, HM Inspectorate of Prisons issued an Urgent Notification after an inspection found very high levels of drugs and violence and serious problems with the ageing buildings. A follow-up inspection reported in early 2026 found the prison still in a fragile state, with drones delivering drugs remaining a serious problem. There has been public debate about the long-term future of the Victorian site, but the prison remains fully operational and no closure has been confirmed. None of this changes the mechanics of visiting, but it helps to know the context – regimes can be restricted at short notice, so check before travelling. Our what is Manchester prison like page and HMP Manchester profile go deeper.
For families, the POPS visitors’ centre outside the gate is the place to start. The prison also runs around 24 parental contact visits a year – family-focused sessions with craft, reading and games areas – which the prisoner applies for from inside.
• Trying to book ongoing visits online or by phone – at Manchester the prisoner must apply from inside.
• Arriving without photo ID, or with children not named on the visit.
• Wearing clothing that breaches the dress code (hoods up, offensive slogans, very revealing items).
• Bringing anything into the visits hall – use the lockers; even an unopened packet of sweets can end a visit.
• Travelling without checking – at a prison under pressure, sessions can be cancelled at short notice, so confirm on the day.
Writing, phoning and sending money
Post goes to 1 Southall Street with the prisoner’s full name and number; Manchester is a “paperless” establishment, so letters are typically scanned and given to prisoners as copies. You cannot phone a prisoner directly – he calls you, using credit from his account, which you can top up through the official send money to someone in prison service. Our prison phone credit guide explains timescales.
A note from experience
Prison Guide’s founder Daniel Hockey served a sentence himself – from HMP Wandsworth through to open conditions at HMP Ford – and wrote The Secret Prisoner (2021). His advice for high-security visits: sort ID and the visitor list early, travel light, and never risk the dress code.
Frequently asked questions
Is Strangeways the same as HMP Manchester?
Yes. The prison was renamed HMP Manchester after the 1990 riot and rebuild, but the old name has stuck locally.
What category is HMP Manchester?
It is a high-security prison holding category A and other long-sentence and remand prisoners – one of only a small number of high-security jails in England and Wales.
Can I book a Manchester visit on GOV.UK?
No, only reception visits for new arrivals are family-booked. All later visits are arranged by the prisoner from inside.
Is there parking at Strangeways?
There is very little parking on Southall Street itself; most visitors park in nearby city-centre car parks or use public transport – Victoria station is about ten minutes’ walk.
Official sources: GOV.UK – Manchester Prison and HM Inspectorate of Prisons.
