Leicester Prison

Please note the prison currently has an outbreak of Measles. We ask that visitors be very mindful of this information and please don’t come in if they suspect anyone visiting has Measles.

Book and plan your visit to Leicester prison

To visit someone in Leicester Prison you must:

• be on that person’s visitor list
• have the required ID with you when you go

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

There may be a limit to the number of visits a prisoner can have. You can check this with Leicester prison.

Contact Leicester Prison if you have other 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 Leicester Prison
• somewhere to stay overnight
• meals

How to book family and friends visits

Visits can be booked by:

• prisoner led application - prisoner submits an application form for a social visit to wing staff
• book your visit online

Visits Entitlements

• Enhanced IEP prisoners – maximum of 4 visits per month
• Standard IEP – maximum of 3 visits per month
• Basic IEP prisoners – 2 visits per month.

Remand Prisoners – Up to 3 per week. Remand prisoners can book on both Saturday and Sunday, but a maximum of 1 visit can be in on the PM session.

Visiting times:

• Monday: 2pm to 4pm
• Tuesday: 2pm to 4pm and 5pm to 6:30pm
• Wednesday: 5pm to 6:30pm
• Thursday: 2pm to 4pm and 5pm to 6:30pm
• Friday: No Visits
• Saturday: 9:30am to 11:30am and 2pm to 4pm
• Sunday: 9:30am to 11:30am and 2pm to 4pm
• Bank holidays: As a rule, visits will run on Bank Holidays if scheduled. Christmas Day and Boxing Day will not have visits.

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Getting to Leicester Prison

Find Leicester Prison on a map

The closest railway station is Leicester. The prison is opposite Leicester Royal Infirmary (hospital) which is well signposted.

To plan your journey by public transport:

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

There is no car parking available at Leicester Prison but there are ‘pay and display’ spaces nearby and in the city centre.

Entering Leicester Prison

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.

Refreshments on visits are purchased in bundles of £5 for a quantity of items. These are paid for in cash prior to entry into the visit hall.

All visitors will need to be given a rub-down search, including children.

You may need to have your finger or thumb prints scanned (or an iris scan) as part of a security check. You may also be sniffed by security dogs.

Leicester Prison has a dress code policy, which means visitors should wear clothing that is considered decent for consideration of all visitors who may attend (no vests, no low-cut tops, no shorts, no short dresses, no see-through clothing, no hoodies and no headwear, other than that worn for religious or medical reasons which may require a private search). Lightweight cardigans and jumpers without hoods can be worn, but thick or heavy jacket type clothing may be refused.

There are strict controls on what you can take into prison. You will have to leave most of the things you have with you in a locker or with security. This includes pushchairs, car seats, mobile phones and cameras.

Visitor conduct and expected behaviours are displayed on each table in the visiting hall. If you break the rules, your visit could be cancelled and you could be banned from visiting again.

Visiting facilities

A family-friendly visitors centre is run by the charity, Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT).

It has a children’s play area, drinks and snacks.

Family days

We run Family Days at the prison 12 times a year, in conjunction with PACT.

These are significantly different from daily social visits. Family Visits offer a more relaxed environment for both prisoners and visitors. Sessions are run to a theme such as sports day, back to school, Christmas and others.

During all Family Day sessions there are activities on offer such as:

• group activities
• arts & crafts
• competitions
• games
• guest appearances from outside partner agencies such as football clubs etc

In addition to various activities, catering/refreshments are provided by the prison at no cost. Refreshments tend to follow the days theme.

Family Days are held 12 times a year and are offered to both prisoners and families. Depending on the number of applications, families may not be able to attend every event.

Keep in touch with someone at Leicester Prison

You may not be able to speak with someone during their first few days. This is because it can take time to approve who they can be in touch with. But usually a PIN phone account is set up on the second day and then the prisoners can submit their contact list.

Phone calls

Prisoner do have prison PIN phones in their cells. They will always need to call you, rather than you call them. His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service has a duty to ensure that prisoners can maintain contact with friends and family where this is in the best interests of both parties. The PIN phone system is one way of achieving this. All calls except those which are confidential (legal advisers as notified by the prisoner to the PIN phone clerk), courts, MPs, or Confidential Access organisations) are recorded but not all are monitored. There must be a justifiable reason before communications are monitored.

If you need to contact the prison, telephone: 0116 228 3000.

Prisoners can phone anyone named on their approved contact list of friends and family. This list is checked by security.

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.

Secure video calls

To have a secure video call with someone in this prison you need to:

• Download the Prison Video app
• Create an account
• Register all visitors
• Add the prisoner to your contact list.

How to book a secure video call

Secure video calls at this prison can be requested by prisoners only.

You will receive a notification if a prisoner has requested a video call with you.

Read more about how it works

Email

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

Letters

You can write at any time.

Include the person’s name and prison number on the envelope, under the address. If you do not know their prison number, contact Leicester.

Write your own name and address on the back of the envelope.

Paper and envelopes can be bought from ‘canteen’ (the prison shop), so prisoners can write back.

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

Gifts are not permitted under any circumstances at Leicester Prison.

You can send prisoners money instead which they can use to buy items through a catalogue system.

Life at Leicester Prison

Leicester Prison is committed to providing a safe and educational environment where prisoners can learn new skills to help them on release.

Security and safeguarding

Every prisoner at Leicester Prison 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.

Peer workers are on site to provide help and support to prisoners going through difficult times. ‘Listeners’ are similar but are selected, trained and supported by the Samaritans. They offer 24/7 confidential support to prisoners in distress and help reduce levels of self-harm.

Faith services

A chaplaincy team serves the staff and prisoners of all faiths and none, offering help and support to anyone at a time of crisis. The team helps to resettle prisoners released back into the community in the Leicester area.

Arrival and first night

When someone first arrives at Leicester Prison, 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. They will also be able to have a shower and a hot meal and be given fresh bedding and a tea pack.

Induction

Each prisoner who arrives at Leicester Prison gets an induction that lasts 3 days. 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

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

Accommodation

Around 350 prisoners live at Leicester Prison in shared living accommodation.

Education and work

People Plus are our education provider. Our curriculum consists of maths, English, ESOL, Art, CSCS and offers qualifications in food production and cooking, courses in cleaning, as well as customer services and barista training.

Leicester Prison has a range of employment which include a contract services workshop, a waste management and recycling unit, a laundry, wing cleaners and painters and a catering team.

There is a well-equipped gym open every day for weights, cardio, fitness, aerobics, and circuit training.

Healthy living, introduction into weightlifting and First aid courses are also available.

Release on temporary licence (ROTL)

ROTL is available to prisoners at Leicester Prison, although most will not be eligible for it.

Employment & Resettlement

The Employment Hub, led by the Prison Employment Team, helps prisoners prepare for life after release. It is supported by organisations like Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), Careers Information, Advice and Guidance (CIAG), Offender Management Unit (OMU), Re-Connect, Turning Point, Allocations and Resettlement. The hub is also where job adverts for post-release opportunities are available to view.

While in custody, all prisoners take a Maths and English assessment to guide their education and work options. The CIAG Team creates Personal Learning Plans with short- and long-term goals, helping the Prison Employment Lead source employment for release.

The Resettlement Hub provides space for prisoners to focus on their reintegration, with workshops on communication, first aid, health and safety, nutrition and employability. Local employers host demonstrations, mock interviews, and a weekly Pre-Release Board for prisoners nearing release, ensuring a smooth transition.

Employer & Agency Support

Local employers: Kiely Group, Marston’s, Bakers Waste, Shoezone, Amey, Casepak, John Worth Group, Samworth Brothers, Beautiful Pubs, Only a Pavement Away, Reconomy Direct.

National employers: DHL, Chevron, Iceland, Greene King, HSS.

Supporting agencies: Ingeus, Turning Point, Dear Albert, Leicestershire Cares, Leicester Employment Hub.

Healthcare services, including mental and dental care, are provided by Practice Plus Group.

Turning Point offers support for substance misuse both in and out of prison.

Support for family and friends

Find out about advice and helplines for family and friends.

Support at Leicester prison

The Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT) is the family services provider for HMP Leicester.

To contact the Family Engagement Worker email leicester@prisonadvice.org.uk.

The PACT team provides a range of information, guidance and support to families and friends of prisoners at HMP Leicester. More information is available on the PACT website.

PACT specialises in the effects of imprisonment and works with prisoners and their families to provide support and help strengthen and maintain family ties.

To contact Families and significant Others lead please email: Families.Leicester@justice.gov.uk.

Telephone (24-hour answerphone): 01162 283 000.

Concerns, problems and complaints

In an emergency

Call 0116 2283 129 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	0116 2283 000	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.
Prisoners’ Families Helpline	0808 808 2003	The Prisoners’ Families Helpline can provide confidential support, advice and guidance.
Unwanted Prisoner Contact	0300 060 6699	If a prisoner is contacting you and you want them to stop, you can use the Unwanted Prisoner Contact Service. You can complete the Stop prisoner contact online form, email unwantedprisonercontact@justice.gov.uk or contact by phone.

Problems and complaints

If you have any other problem contact Leicester Prison.

Inspection reports

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

Contact Leicester Prison

Governor: Jim Donaldson

Telephone (24 hour answerphone): 01162 283 000
Fax: 01162 283 001
Find out about call charges

Follow Leicester prison on Twitter/X

Address

HMP Leicester
116 Welford Road
Leicester
LE2 7AJ

See map

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