HMP Onley: Visiting, Contact and Key Facts
Last reviewed: July 2026
| Key fact | HMP Onley |
|---|---|
| Category | Category C training and resettlement |
| Who it holds | Around 740 adult men across 11 wings |
| Operator | Public sector (HM Prison and Probation Service) |
| Opened | 1968 (as a borstal); adult Category C prison since 2010 |
| Address | HMP Onley, Rugby, Warwickshire CV23 8AP (sat-nav: CV23 8SZ) |
| Switchboard | 01788 523400 (24 hours) |
| Visit booking | Online at gov.uk/prison-visits or 01788 523402 (Mon–Fri 8.30am–4.30pm) |
| Visit times | Tue & Thu 2–4pm; Fri 2.30–4pm; Sat & Sun 2–4pm; none Mon/Wed |
What kind of prison is HMP Onley?
Onley sits in countryside between Rugby and Daventry and has been part of the justice system since 1968, first as a borstal, then a young offender institution, and since April 2010 as an adult Category C training prison. Much of its population comes from London and the Midlands. As a training and resettlement prison the emphasis is on workshops, education and preparing men for release – though note that, unusually, Onley does not currently operate ROTL (release on temporary licence), which matters if you were expecting town visits or work placements outside the gate. Our guides to Category C prisons and temporary release (ROTL) explain both points.
What inspectors found
HM Inspectorate of Prisons inspected Onley in May 2025 (report published August 2025) and was blunt about the problems: security was not keeping drugs out – 34% of random drug tests were positive over the previous year – and violence had risen with it. Inspectors also noted that many officers were newly recruited and inexperienced, which frustrated prisoners trying to get basic things done. The bright spots were some excellent vocational training, including a well-regarded hospitality academy run with Greene King. A follow-up review in January 2026 found some improvements under way but more still to do. The full reports are on the HMIP website.
Visiting someone at HMP Onley
Book online through the GOV.UK prison visits service or phone 01788 523402 between 8.30am and 4.30pm on weekdays; you can book from 48 hours ahead. Visits run on Tuesday and Thursday (2pm to 4pm), Friday (2.30pm to 4pm) and weekends (2pm to 4pm) – there are no visits on Mondays or Wednesdays. You must be booked in by 2.30pm. The visitors’ centre, run by the charity Pact, opens from 1pm and is a good first stop if it is your first visit. Bring photo ID and proof of address, and check GOV.UK for the current dress rules before you travel – the prison has tightened them more than once recently.
Contacting a prisoner and sending money
Prisoners call out from approved numbers; you cannot ring in. Letters need the man’s full name and prison number at the address above. Use the free GOV.UK Send money to someone in prison service for money. Our guide to contacting someone in prison covers phones, email and letters in detail.
Settling in at Onley
Moving to a training prison is usually a step forward, but the first weeks still take adjusting. Our founder Daniel Hockey served a sentence himself – HMP Wandsworth through to open conditions at HMP Ford – and wrote The Secret Prisoner (2021). His advice for a prison like Onley: apply for work or education immediately (waiting lists move), and treat sentence-plan targets as the route to Category D. Read more about Daniel here, and see our guide to Category D open prisons for what comes next.
• Travelling on a Monday or Wednesday – there are no social visits those days.
• Expecting ROTL – Onley does not currently run temporary release, unlike many Category C prisons.
• Using the postcode CV23 8AP in a sat-nav – use CV23 8SZ to reach the site entrance.
• Arriving after the 2.30pm book-in deadline – you will not be admitted late.
Frequently asked questions
What category is HMP Onley?
Category C – a closed training and resettlement prison for adult men.
Is HMP Onley public or private?
Public. It is run directly by HM Prison and Probation Service.
How do I book a visit?
Online at gov.uk/prison-visits, or phone 01788 523402 (weekdays 8.30am–4.30pm). Book at least 48 hours ahead.
Does Onley have problems with drugs?
The August 2025 inspection report was candid that drugs were getting in and driving violence, and a 2026 follow-up found work under way to fix it. If you are worried about someone, ring the switchboard and ask for safer custody.
When will he be released?
Under the Sentencing Act 2026 (in force 22 March 2026), many standard determinate sentences attract earned release from around one third. Our sentence guide explains how dates are worked out.
Sources: GOV.UK – Onley prison; HMIP inspection 2025. See our full HMP prison list.
