By car, head towards the ferry port and the prison is just before it. There is a free car park (number 4) for visitors on Southcoates Lane with 6 spaces for Blue Badge holders in front of the main gate.
There is a free visitors car park located at the rear of the Prison, Southcoates Lane.
All visitors will need to be given a pat-down search, including children. You may also be sniffed by security dogs.
Hull has a strict family friendly dress code policy, which means visitors should wear smart clothes. This means no vests, no low-cut tops, no shorts, no short dresses and no headwear, other than that worn for religious reasons. No multiple layers of clothing, no high boots or steel toe capped boots, no sportswear, no offensive slogans and no ripped or see-through clothing.
Refreshments are available to purchase during your visit.
There are strict controls on what you can take into HMP Hull, including jewellery. You will have to leave most of the things you have with you in a locker in the visitors’ centre or in your car - this includes pushchairs and car seats.
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.
Call the booking line if you have any questions about visiting.
Visiting facilities
In the visitor centre, there is a vending machine for hot drinks, baby changing facilities and disabled access. There is also a children’s play area.
In the visiting hall, there is a canteen serving hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, snacks and sweets.
Family days
HMP Hull run numerous family visits throughout the year. Details on how these visits run can be obtained by contacting: Families.Hull@justice.gov.uk.
Keep in touch with someone at Hull
There are several ways you can keep in touch with a prisoner during their time at Hull.
Secure video calls
To have a secure video call with someone in this prison you need to:
Prisoners have phones in their cells but these do not accept incoming calls. They are able to make calls every day between 7:30am and 11pm. 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 might also be able to attach photos and receive replies, depending on the rules at Hull.
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 Hull.
All post, apart from legal letters, will be opened and checked by officers.
National Prison Radio’s Family and Friends request show
National Prison Radio broadcasts into prison cells across England and Wales 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Family and friends can stay connected with their loved ones in prison by sending song requests, written messages and voice recordings. They are then read and played out on weekly episodes.
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
People in Hull can apply for permission for visitors to hand in items during a visit.
All property will be opened and checked by officers. Make sure to include the person’s name and prisoner number on the parcel.
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.
When someone first arrives at Hull, 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 prisoner who arrives at Hull 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
Around 1,100 prisoners live at Hull across 6 houseblocks (A to F). Most prisoners share cells.
Education and work
Prisoners have access to a broad programme of accredited and non-accredited learning opportunities provided by Novus. These range from basic skills, such as English and maths, to distance learning with The Open University, National Extension College and [The Prison Education Trust]
(https://prisonerseducation.org.uk/).
The programme includes training in a variety of trades and professions, including:
English
Maths
Digital skills
ESOL (English for speakers of other languages)
Food preparation and cooking
Health & Safety
Food Safety
CSCS (Construction Health & Safety)
Joinery
Business
Art
Cleaning competencies
Support in preparing for employment upon release
Novus works
Distance learning
Employment and training are available throughout the establishment, in Industries, Kitchens and Gardens, whilst working in these areas prisoners can access accredited learning / training through vocational qualifications.
Lincolnshire Action Trust are the current providers for the family service. You can contact the team for any support, information and guidance by emailing families.hull@justice.gov.uk
or you can call: 01482 282 574
Concerns, problems and complaints
In an emergency
Call 01482 282 200 if you think a prisoner is at immediate risk of harm. Ask for the Orderly Officer and explain that your concern is an emergency.
Contact category
Phone number
Additional information
Non-emergency
01482 282 273
Call this number if you have concerns about a prisoner’s safety or wellbeing which are serious but not life-threatening or complete a safer custody contact form on the Prisoners’ Families Helpline website.
Staff Integrity Hotline
0800 917 6877 (24 hours answering machine)
This number can be called anonymously. If you are concerned about a prisoner being bullied by a member of staff, you can use this number. As this line is managed separately from the prison, you can call this number anonymously.
Details added for National Prison Radio's Family and Friends request show.
14 August 2024
Added translation
4 May 2023
Updated information about education on offer to prisoners at HMP Hull
3 March 2023
Added legal visits and legal video call day and time slots
1 April 2022
Updated visiting guidance based on 1 April COVID rule changes
16 March 2022
Added link to new safer custody information under Security and safeguarding.
10 January 2022
Updated visiting information: Testing for visitors aged 12 and over.
11 August 2021
Added link to information about testing for physical contact at visits.
21 May 2021
New visiting times and booking information added.
6 May 2021
Prison moved into National Stage 3 framework and is now preparing to open visits for family, friends and significant others. We will update this page with specific visiting information as soon as possible.
21 December 2020
Updated visit info
4 December 2020
Updated visiting information in line with new local restriction tiers.
2 December 2020
Updated visiting information in line with new local restriction tiers.
6 November 2020
Updated visiting information in line with new national restrictions in England.
10 September 2020
Covid-19 update
5 August 2020
Covid updates to visit times
28 May 2020
Added confirmation of secure video calling availability at this prison.