Risley Prison
Risley is a prison for men in Warrington, Cheshire, including men convicted of a sex offence.
Applies to England and Wales
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Book and plan your visit to Risley
NowDue thatto regularlimited COVIDspace testing of people in the widervisitors communitycentre, hasvisitors ended, you are noasked longer required to takeattend a COVID test before coming to see someone for atheir visit,visit althoughno weearlier wouldthan still15 encourageminutes youbefore tothe dostart so.
Wetime. willMorning continue to run social visits whilststart itat is9am safeand toafternoon do so.
Visiting rules may change if there is an outbreak within the prison, this may include bringing back testing before visits forstart aat short time to protect you, the person you are visiting and staff.2pm.
IfDue you are unable to visitlimited someonespace in prison you can still keep in touch.
You can also contact the Prisoners’gate Familiesarea Helplinevisitors on 0808 808 2003. You will not be abletaken to bookthe aprison visitin usinggroups thisof number.10.
EachThere visitor party will be allocated a time to arrive at the visitor centre. Arrival times are staggeredno torestrictions allowon forwho adequatecan socialvisit distancing.a Visitorsprisoner willas belong advised as to which sessions they canare attend, based on where the prisonerprisoners isapproved resident.visitors list.
EachVisitors visitorsare grouprestricted will be allowed to enter the prison with casha tomaximum the total value of £40.005 wherepeople aincluding hot/cold menu will be available.children.
To visit someone in Risley you must:
- be on that person’s visitor list
- book your visit in advance
- have the required ID with you when you
gogo, this includes children
At least one visitor must be 18 or older at every visit.
There may be a limit to the number of visits a personprisoner can have. You can check this with Risley.
Contact Risley 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 Risley
- somewhere to stay overnight
- meals
How to book family and friends visits
RisleyYou iscan https://www.gov.uk/prison-visits runningbooking asystem limitedor visitsby schedule.email Visitsto SocialVisitsRisley@justice.gov.uk
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- Monday
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BookingVisiting Line:times:
- Monday,
019252pm733284toor4pm - Tuesday,
019252pm733285Thetobooking4pm - Wednesday,
line2pmistoopen4pm - Thursday,
Monday2pm toFriday:4pm - Saturday, 9am to 11am and 2pm to 4pm
- Sunday, 9am to 11am
VisitingTuesday, times:
MondayWednesday, and Saturday afternoon-sessions alternate weekly between Wing AwingTuesdayandmorningall-otherBwings.The
wing,visitorFcentrewingis&onCSUTuesdayWarringtonafternoonRoad-nextCtowingthe prison.
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morningmorning:-A,B,C,DN - Thursday
Bmorning:wing,DS,E,G Tuesdayinafternoonthe-visitorsCcentre,wingWednesdayvisitorsafternoonare-askedDtowingThursdayattendmorningfor-theirEvisitwingThursdayno earlier than 15 minutes before the start time. Morning visits start at 9am and afternoon-visitsGstartwing
The Visitor centre is open:
SpecificTelephone: visiting01925 times733 063
On entering the prison all visitors will be expected to walk through our enhanced gate security metal detector and will be given upona booking.pat-down Visitorssearch (including children). You will be allocatedasked to put all belongings in a timetray to arrivebe atsearched/x-rayed the(this Visitorsincludes Centrewatches whenand theyjewellery).
Please bookarrive their15 visit.minutes before your visit starts.
How to book legal and professional visits
The easiest way to book a professional visit is via email: LegalVisits.Risley@justice.gov.uk
BookingBookings line:can also be made over the phone:
01925 733284 or 01925 733285
ProfessionalPhone andlines legalare visitsopen canMonday alsoto beFriday: booked9am byto sending11:30am anand email1:30pm to:to LegalVisits.Risley@justice.gov.uk3:30pm
Legal visits start at 9am. Visiting times:times are:
Week 1:
Week 2:
Due Fto winglimited &space CSU
VisitorsDue to limited space in the gate area visitors will be allocatedtaken ato timethe prison in groups of 10.
Each visitors group will then be allowed to arriveenter atthe prison with cash to the Visitorstotal Centrevalue whenof they£40 bookwhere theira visit.hot/cold menu will be available.
Getting to Risley
Risley is about 6 miles from Warrington Central and Warrington Bank Quay railway stations. From the stations, use buses going to Leigh or take a taxi.
There is a visitor’s car park next to the prison. There are additional spaces for Blue Badge holders next to the visitors centre.
To plan your journey by public transport:
There is a visitors car park next to the prison. There are additional spaces for Blue Badge holders next to the visitors centre.
Entering Risley
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 go through our enhanced gate security metal detector or wanded down with a hand held metal detector. All visitors will be given a pat-down search, including children. You may also be sniffed by security dogs.
Visitors should dress sensibly. You may be turned away if you are wearing items like vests, low-cut tops, high-cut shorts or dresses. You may be asked to store expensive items of Jewellery and watches in the visitor lockers which is done so at your own risk.
There will be no refreshments available during your visit.
You will not be permitted to take anything into the prison with you, except your ID. Lockers are available in the visitors centre/Enhanced gate search area for all other items.
There are strict controls on what you can take into Risley. 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.
The rules will be explained 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 are no refreshment facilities available in the visitors centre. There are refreshments available in the Visits Hall, with a limited menu, there is also the opportunity to purchase a “Special Pack” whichfor costs£10 £10, for a prisoner to take back to his wing.
There is a small crèche facilitiesfacility nowavailable available.but children must not use this area unless a member of POPs staff is present.
Family days
Family days willare returnadvertised later in the yearvisits andcentre, wevisits arehall, hopingon tothe doprison oneResidential priorunits toand Christmas.on our POPS Facebook page.
https://www.partnersofprisoners.co.uk/hmp-risley/
Keep in touch with someone at Risley
There are several ways you can keep in touch with a prisoner during their time at Risley.
Secure video calls
SecureTo videohave callinga issecure availablevideo atcall thiswith prison.someone Familyin andthis friendsprison willyou need to to:
- download the Prison Video
app,app - create an
account,account - register all visitors
and - add the prisoner to
theiryour contactlist.list
How to book a secure video call
You can request a secure video call with someone in this prison via the Prison Video app.
You will receive a notification when your request has been accepted.
Phone calls
In-cell telephony is now available in all cells.
Prisoners 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.
All Please note all phone calls are recorded.recorded (except for legal etc.)and so on)
You can send emails to someone in Risley using the Email a Prisoner service.
You might also be able to attach photos and receive replies from the prisoner, depending on the rules at Risley.
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 Risley.
All post apart from legal letters will be opened and checked by officers.
Purple
Postal Visitsaddress:
PurpleHMP VisitsRisley
Warrington (aRoad
Risley
Warrington
Cheshire
WA3 secure video call system) are available at Risley.6BP
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:
areunabletouseacomputer,asmartphoneortheinternetdonothaveadebitcard
This will allow you to send money by post.
Gifts and parcels
People in Risley are given a list of approved items that can be sent to them as gifts. Contact Risley for more information on what’s allowed.
We do not accept any parcels that have been sent directly from families. Any exception to this will require an application to be approved by the Head of Operations.
The quickest way for a prisoner to receive clothing etc.and so on is for their friends or family to send the prisoner money (ideally not cash), the prisoner can then purchase the items via the approved catalogues.
For the full list of approved retailers, you can read the HMPPS Incentives Policy, Annex F.
If HMP Risley receives parcels which have not been approved they will not be issued to the prisoner.
RisleyWe isallow now allowing underwear and socks through visitsvisits. again. The process will be:
-
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Gifts and numberparcels
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We prisoners.now allow underwear and socks through visits. The process will be:
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It’s important you’re made aware:
If an unauthorised item is found on the clothing or an indication by the drug dog:
-
Thethe visit will be terminated and the bag will be confiscated as evidence—in some cases the visitor may be arrested and the police called. The visitor may also be banned. -
Ifif an indication occurs on a different day to the visits i.e. clothing which has been stored in reception until a dog handler is on duty; the bag of clothing will be sealed as evidence and later destroyed, the prisoner will be informed this has occurred. This information will be passed to the police and the visitor may be banned from visits. -
Inin all cases in this section an IR will be submitted and placed on the prisoners security file.
Clothing like this through visits was allowed in the past however this was abused by a small minority where clothing was laced by illegal narcotics, when this came to light this privilege was removed.
Should we receive any intelligence and/or evidence that this is re-occurring this privilege will again be removed for all prisoners.
Life at Risley
Risley is committed to providing a safe and educational environment where menprisoners can learn new skills to help them on release.
Security and safeguarding
Every personprison at Risley 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 Warrington Safeguarding Adults Board.
Arrival and first night
When a prisoner first arrives at Risley, 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
All new prisoners will bereceive required to reverse cohort for the first 14 days at Risley. This means they cannot leave the unit they are on, and cannot have a visit4 during that time. They will be able to have a shower, have some time in the fresh air and use the phone each day.
Induction
Induction takes place the day afterinduction arrival at Risley andwhere laststhey aboutwill a week. It has been scaled down to allow for social distancing, but the induction programme does allow for new prisoners to receive important information about life at Risley, help and theysupport can ask questions about anything they are unsure of.information.
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.
Underwear and socks can be purchased from the Rebuild with Hope shop situated next to the HMP Risley visitors centre.
Once purchased, the items will be brought over to the visits Hall by staff and issued to the relevant prisoner at the end on the visits session.
Accommodation
Over 10001,000 menprisoners live at Risley in mostly single rooms.cells.
Risley Prisonprison has a diverse, multi-faith chaplaincy team providing support to prisoners.
Education and work
Prisoners have access to a broad range of vocational training, including interior fitting, painting and decorating, plastering, bricklaying and cleaning. Risley is also part of the Prisons ICT Academy (PICTA) which helps prepare prisoners for work in information and communications technology (ICT) roles.
They can take classroom courses in subjects such as English, maths, art and design and IT. They can also train with the PE department as a gym instructor or take other sports-related qualifications.
Prisoners can work at Risley in contract services workshops as well the kitchens, laundry, gardens and waste management unit. They can also work in the braille workshop which is part of a restorative justice project (where prisoners meet with the victims of crime).
Support for family and friends
PhoenixPartners Futuresof Prisoners (POPS) provide our family services. They can be contacted on 01925 733063733 063 on the days when social visits are running.
ProblemsConcerns, problems and complaints
In an emergency
IfCall 01925 733023 if you havethink a problemprisoner contactis Risley.
Contactat Risley
Governor:immediate Nickirisk Smith
Telephone:of 01925harm. 733Ask 000
Fax:for 01925the 733Orderly 001
FindOfficer outand aboutexplain callthat charges
Address
HMPyour Risley
Warringtonconcern Road
Risley
Warrington
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an emergency.
Contact
|
Phone |
Additional
|
|---|---|---|
| Non-emergency | 01925 733 007 | Call this number if you have concerns about
|
| Staff Integrity Hotline | 0800 917 6877 (24 hours answering machine) |
This number can be called anonymously. If you are concerned about
|
| Prisoners’ |
0808 |
The Prisoners’ Families Helpline can provide confidential support, advice and |
| Unwanted Prisoner Contact | 0300 060 6699 | If a prisoner
|
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Contact believeRisley
Governor: thereAdam isDobson
Family anand imminentSignificant threatOthers toLead is the lifeHead of theReducing resident.Reoffending.
Telephone: 01925 733 000
Fax: 01925 733 001
Find out about call charges
Address
HMP Risley
Warrington Road
Risley
Warrington
Cheshire
WA3 6BP
Updates to this page
Published 2 June 2020Last updated
-
Updated visits booking information for family and friends.
-
Updated Governor.
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Updated visiting guidance based on 1 April COVID rule changes
-
Added link to new safer custody information under Security and safeguarding.
-
Updated visiting information: Testing for visitors aged 12 and over.
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Added link to information about testing for physical contact at visits.
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Additional guidance about new COVID-19 variant in the Bolton and Blackburn areas.
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New visiting times and booking information added.
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Updated visit info
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Updated visit info
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Updated visiting information in line with new national restrictions in England.
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Updated visiting information in line with coronavirus restrictions.
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Updated video call info
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Updated informatin about visiting for friends and family
Explore the topic
Update history
2026-01-14 10:18
Updated visitor centre opening times, under the ‘How to book family and friends visits’ section.
2026-01-08 14:22
Updated visiting times for family and friends visits.
2025-10-24 14:14
Updated booking information for official video and official face to face visits.
2025-03-06 12:04
Updated visits booking information for family and friends.
2022-06-22 15:46
Updated Governor.
2022-04-01 14:27
Updated visiting guidance based on 1 April COVID rule changes
2022-03-18 12:11
Added link to new safer custody information under Security and safeguarding.