Hewell Prison

Book and plan your visit to Hewell

To visit someone in Hewell you must:

• be on that person’s visitor list
• book your visit in advance
• have the required ID with you when you go

At least one visitor must be 18 or older at every visit.

There is a limit to the number of visits a person can have which varies by prisoner. You can check this with Hewell.

Contact Hewell if you have any questions about visiting.

Help with the cost of your visit

If you get certain benefits or have an NHS health certificate, you might be able to get help with the costs of your visit, including:

• travel to Hewell
• somewhere to stay overnight
• meals

How to book family and friends visits

You can book your visit online.

You can also book by email and telephone.

Email: visitsbooking.westmidlands@noms.gsi.gov.uk

Booking line: 0300 060 6503
Monday to Friday, 9:15am to 4pm
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Visiting times:

• Monday: 8:45am to 11am and 1:15pm to 4pm
• Wednesday: 8:45am to 11am and 1:15pm to 4pm
• Friday: 8:45am to 11am and 1:15pm to 4pm
• Saturday: 8:45am to 11am and 1:15pm to 4pm
• Sunday: 8:45am to 11am and 1:15pm to 4pm

How to book legal and professional visits

To book a visit, email: visitsbooking.westmidlands@noms.gsi.gov.uk

You can also book by telephone.

Booking line: 0300 060 6503
Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm
Find out about call charges

Visiting times are Monday to Friday from 9am to 11:30am and 2pm to 4:30pm.

To arrange a prison video link, you must call.

Telephone: 01527 785 309
Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm
Find out about call charges

Video link appointment times are Monday to Friday, 9am to 11:30am and 2pm to 4:30pm.

Getting to Hewell

Find Hewell on a map

Hewell is about 3 miles from Redditch station, where you can catch a local bus to Tardebigge. The bus drops you off about a mile from the prison. Alternatively, you can take a taxi.

To plan your journey by public transport:

• use National Rail Enquiries
• use Traveline for local bus times

If coming by car, use the postcode B97 6QQ for sat nav.

There is a visitors car park outside the prison, including space for Blue Badge holders.

Entering Hewell

All visitors, aged 16 or older must prove their identity before entering the prison. Read the list of acceptable forms of ID when visiting a prison.

All visitors will need to be given a pat-down search, including children. You may also be sniffed by security dogs.

Hewell has a family-friendly dress code policy which means visitors should dress appropriately. You may be turned away if you are wearing see-through or revealing clothing like vests, low-cut tops or high-cut shorts or dresses. Additionally, you cannot wear hoodies or anything with offensive patterns or slogans.

Each adult visitor is allowed to take in a maximum of £20 in coins (notes are not allowed). The money can be used to buy food and drink from the snack bar in the visiting hall.

There are strict controls on what you can take into Hewell. You will have to leave most of the things you have with you in a locker or with security. This includes pushchairs and car seats. A pushchair can be provided by Hewell if required.

You will be told the rules by an officer at the start of your visit. If you break the rules, your visit could be cancelled and you could be banned from visiting again.

Visiting facilities

There is a visitors centre run by Barnardo’s. Family and friends can relax, buy refreshments and get advice and support from the staff.

The centre includes a play area for children.

The centre is open Monday to Saturday from 8am to 5pm and on Sunday from midday to 5pm.

Family days

There are currently no family days being run.

Keep in touch with someone at Hewell

There are several ways you can keep in touch with someone during their time at Hewell.

Secure video calls

Secure video calling is available at this prison. Family and friends need to download the purple visits app, create an account, register all visitors, and add the prisoner to their contact list.

Read more about how it works

Phone calls

Prisoners do not have phones in their rooms so they will always have to call you. They have to buy phone credits to do this.

They can phone anyone named on their list of friends and family. This list is checked by security when they first arrive so it may take a few days before they are able to call.

You can also exchange voicemails using the Prison Voicemail service.

Officers may listen to phone calls as a way of preventing crime and helping keep people safe.

Email

You can send emails to someone in Hewell using the Email a Prisoner service.

You might also be able to attach photos and receive replies, depending on the rules at Hewell.

Letters

You can write at any time.

Include the person’s name and prisoner number on the envelope.

If you do not know their prisoner number, contact Hewell.

All post, apart from legal letters, will be opened and checked by officers.

Send money and gifts

You can use the free and fast online service to send money to someone in prison.

You can no longer send money by bank transfer, cheque, postal order or send cash by post.

If you cannot use the online service, you may be able to apply for an exemption - for example if you:

• are unable to use a computer, a smart phone or the internet
• do not have a debit card

This will allow you to send money by post.

Gifts and parcels

Prisoners can apply to the governor for permission to receive a parcel of clothing when they first arrive at Hewell. Otherwise, property is generally not permitted to be posted or handed in. You can send prisoners money instead which they can use to buy items through a catalogue system.

Friends and families of prisoners are permitted to send books directly to their loved ones, or can order books from approved retailers, which can source and send the books on to prisoners.

For the full list of approved retailers, you can read the HMPPS Incentives Policy, Annex F.

Life at Hewell

Hewell is committed to providing a safe and educational environment where men can learn new skills to help them on release.

Security and safeguarding

Every person at Hewell has a right to feel safe. The staff are responsible for their safeguarding and welfare at all times.

For further information about what to do when you are worried or concerned about someone in prison visit the Prisoners’ Families helpline website.

All safeguarding processes are overseen by the Worcestershire Safeguarding Adults Board.

Arrival and first night

When someone first arrives at Hewell, they will be able to contact a family member by phone. This could be quite late in the evening, depending on the time they arrive.

They will get to speak to someone who will check how they’re feeling and ask about any immediate health and wellbeing needs.

Induction

Each person who arrives at Hewell gets an induction that lasts about a week. They will meet professionals who will help them with:

• health and wellbeing, including mental and sexual health
• any substance misuse issues, including drugs and alcohol
• personal development in custody and on release, including skills, education and training
• other support (sometimes called ‘interventions’), such as managing difficult emotions

Everyone also finds out about the rules, fire safety, and how things like calls and visits work.

Accommodation

Over 1000 men live at Hewell across 6 house blocks.

Facilities include a library and gym.

Hewell has a diverse, multi-faith chaplaincy team providing support to prisoners.

Education and work

Prisoners have access to a broad programme of classes, training and work.

The education and training is provided by Novus. A wide range of accredited courses are offered, including English, maths, painting and decorating and tiling.

Work opportunities include the bike workshop, double glazing, kitchen, laundry, recycling, refuse collection, cleaners, painters and orderlies in various locations.

Support for family and friends

Find out about advice and helplines for family and friends.

Support at Hewell

Hewell’s children and families department can provide information, guidance and support to families and friends.

They can be contacted through the switchboard and chaplaincy.

Problems and complaints

If you have a problem contact Hewell.

HM Prison and Probation Service publishes action plans for Hewell in response to independent inspections.

Contact Hewell

Governor: Ralph Lubkowski

Telephone (24 hours): 01527 785 000
Fax: 01527 785 001
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Address

See map

Safer custody hotline

If you have concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a man in Hewell, call the safer custody hotline. Leave as much information as possible and a telephone number for staff to call you back.

Telephone: 01527 785 150
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In an emergency, call the main switchboard and ask for the safer custody team.