HMP Northumberland: Visiting, Contact and Key Facts
Last reviewed: July 2026
| Key fact | HMP Northumberland |
|---|---|
| Category | Category C training and resettlement |
| Who it holds | Adult men (around 1,350), including a significant number convicted of sexual offences |
| Operator | Sodexo (privately run since December 2013) |
| Opened | 2011, formed by merging HMP Acklington and HMP Castington |
| Address | HMP Northumberland, Acklington, Morpeth, Northumberland NE65 9XF |
| Switchboard | 01670 762300 |
| Visit booking | Booked by the prisoner via wing kiosk; enquiries 01670 383170 |
What kind of prison is HMP Northumberland?
HMP Northumberland is one of the largest Category C prisons in the country. It was created in 2011 when two neighbouring prisons, Acklington and Castington, were merged into a single site, and it has been operated by Sodexo since December 2013. As a training and resettlement prison, the focus is on education, workshops and preparing men for release rather than holding people straight from court. A significant proportion of the population are men convicted of sexual offences, and the prison runs programmes tailored to that group. If you are trying to understand what a Category C regime generally involves, our guide to Category C prisons explains the day-to-day routine.
The latest inspection: a genuinely positive report
HM Inspectorate of Prisons carried out an unannounced inspection between 27 August and 12 September 2025, with the report published in December 2025. It was one of the more positive reports of the year: inspectors found conditions reasonably good in all four of their healthy prison tests, praised strong leadership and a positive culture, and described the education and purposeful activity on offer as impressive. That matters for families – it means most men at Northumberland should be out of their cells and doing something constructive during the working day. The prison has also had to manage the discovery of RAAC (a weak form of concrete) in some buildings in April 2024, which forced parts of the site to close, so some accommodation has moved around. You can read the full report on the HM Inspectorate of Prisons website.
Visiting someone at HMP Northumberland
Booking works differently here from most public-sector prisons. The prisoner books the visit himself from a kiosk on his wing, then tells you the date and time – you cannot book online through GOV.UK. If something goes wrong or you need to check a booking, ring the visits enquiries line on 01670 383170. Social visits typically run on Wednesday to Friday afternoons (2pm to 4pm) and at weekends in both morning (9.30am to 11.30am) and afternoon (2pm to 4pm) sessions, but sessions change, so always confirm the time the prisoner gives you before travelling.
Bring photo ID (passport, driving licence or similar) and proof of address dated within the last three months. Arrive at least 45 minutes early to book in, and expect to be searched. Children can attend but must be accompanied by an adult on the visit order.
Contacting a prisoner and sending money
You cannot ring a prisoner directly. He can call you from a wing phone or in-cell telephony once your number is on his approved list, and calls are cheaper in the evening bundle. Letters should include his name and prison number. Money is sent through the free GOV.UK Send money to someone in prison service. Our guide on how to contact someone in prison walks through each option step by step.
What arriving there is like
The first days in any prison are the hardest part for most men and their families. Our founder, Daniel Hockey, served a prison sentence himself – from HMP Wandsworth through to open conditions at HMP Ford – and wrote about the experience in The Secret Prisoner (2021). His consistent advice for a Category C move like Northumberland: get on the education or workshop list in the first week, keep your head down, and use the phone credit to stay in touch with home. You can read more about Daniel here, and our first night in prison guide covers what to expect on arrival.
• Trying to book a visit on GOV.UK – Northumberland visits are booked by the prisoner from his wing kiosk, not by visitors online.
• Turning up without proof of address – photo ID alone is not enough; bring a document dated within three months.
• Assuming it is a public prison – it is run by Sodexo, so some procedures differ from HMPPS prisons.
• Posting cash or stamps to a prisoner – use the official GOV.UK money service instead.
Frequently asked questions
Is HMP Northumberland privately run?
Yes. Sodexo has run the prison under contract since December 2013. It remains part of the national prison system and holds men sent by the courts in the normal way.
What category is HMP Northumberland?
Category C – a closed training and resettlement prison. Men here are not trusted with open conditions yet but are considered unlikely to try to escape.
Can I book a visit online?
No. The prisoner books the visit from his wing kiosk and tells you the slot. Ring 01670 383170 if you need to check anything.
How do I find out when someone will be released?
Release dates depend on the sentence and, since the Sentencing Act 2026 came into force on 22 March 2026, many standard determinate sentences now attract earned early release from around one third of the sentence. Our prison sentence calculator explains the current rules.
Where do I complain or raise a concern?
Start with the prison itself via the switchboard (01670 762300). If unresolved, the Independent Monitoring Board for the prison and ultimately the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman can help.
Sources: GOV.UK – Northumberland prison; HMIP inspection report 2025; HMP Northumberland (Sodexo) official site. See also our full list of UK prisons.
