Bookingline: 01296 444302444 (voicemailmessageswillnotbepickedup) 302, Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 1:30pm excluding Bankbank Holidays holidays (voicemail messages will not be picked up)
The HM Prisons visitor privacy notice is available on request.
Books onat Visitsvisits
BooksVisitors can behand handedin byup visitors.to 3 books per visit. This must be arranged atwhen thetimeofbooking the visit;limitedtothreebookspervisit.
ApplicationWe require 72 hours notice for any prohibited itemsitems, such as laptops requirethat 72a hoursrequired notice.for your visit. You can request an application form at the time of booking, or via the above email address.
Visitors, including children, will walk through a metal detector. You will also be sniffed by security dogs.
Aylesbury has a strict dress code policy, which means visitors should wear smart clothes.
You cannot wearwear:
large coats,coats
gloves or scarves,scarves
hooded tops,tops
revealing clothing such as low-cut tops,shorts,ortops
shorts
short dresses,dresses
offensive slogans,slogans
sports team clothing,clothing
ripped clothing,clothing
watches
headwear watches,(other orheadwear,otherthan that worn for religious reasons.reasons)
Suitable footwear will be needed for walking on uneven surfaces and climbing stairs.
There are strict controls on what you can take into Aylesbury. You will have to leave most of the things you have with you in a locker (£1 coin refundable) or with security.
Pushchairs and car seats must be left in the visitors centre.
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.
You can contact the visitors centre on 01296 444 329 from 12:30pm on visiting days. The visitors centre is open from 1pm on visiting days.
Refreshments are now available in the Visitsvisits Hall;hall; payment by cash only.
Family days
Family days are currently available; by invitation only.
Keep in touch with someone at Aylesbury
There are several ways you can keep in touch with someone during their time at Aylesbury.
Phone calls
Prisoners have phones in their cells to make outgoing calls so they will be able 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.
Include the person’s name and prisoner number (or date of birth) on the envelope. You must also write your own name and address on the back of the envelope.
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
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
Clothes for attending court or funerals can be sent in without applying in advance. They must be clearly marked as ‘court clothes’ or ‘funeral clothes’, as appropriate, and not contain any other items.
Prisoners can buy items from approved suppliers through a catalogue system. Parcels cannot be sent by family or friends to prisoners. Anything received by the prison will be returned at the prisoner’s cost or destroyed.
Prisoners within 28 days of being sentenced are exempt from this rule and can arrange for a 28-day parcel to be sent in. Only one 28 day parcel can be sent and it is restricted to clothing only.
Life at Aylesbury
Aylesbury is committed to providing a safe and educational environment where prisoners can learn new skills to help them on release.
Security and safeguarding
Every person at Aylesbury has a right to feel safe. The staff are responsible for their safeguarding and welfare at all times.
When someone first arrives at Aylesbury, 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, ask about any immediate health and wellbeing needs, and answer any initial questions they might have.
Induction
Each person who arrives at Aylesbury 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.
Everyone is given an induction booklet to keep for their own reference.
Accommodation
Aylesbury is able to accommodate up to 402 prisoners. Most cells are single occupancy, with some designed to hold two prisoners. All cells contain a toilet, sink and a phone.
Education and work
Prisoners at Aylesbury are encouraged to take part in meaningful activity and gain qualifications in the following areas:
Maths, Entry level to level 2 inclusive
English, Entry level to level 2 inclusive
ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages)
Barbering
Essential Digital skills
Employability
Customer Service
Health and Safety
Warehousing and Storage
Hospitality and Food Safety
Cleaning
Peer Mentoring level 1 and 2, Safe Guarding, LDD awareness
Personal Social Development – Life At Aylesbury
Bicycle Repair
Radio and Podcast Production workshop
Library
Distance Learning – opportunity to achieve a variety of qualifications such as GCSE’s,GCSEs, A-Levels and Degrees
There are also opportunities to get involved in activities, development and learning outside of a formal setting, such as:
There is no Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL) at Aylesbury.
Support at Aylesbury
The Prison Advice and Care Trust can provide provide information, guidance and support to families and friends of prisoners. Ask in the visitors centre to learn more.
The Head of Offender Management Unit is our lead for Families and Significant Others.
Telephone:Telephone, 01296 444 000
Concerns, problems and complaints
In an emergency
Call 01296 444 000 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
01296 444081444 081
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 formon 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.
Added enquiries email address for family and friends visits. Updates opening times for professional visits booking line and added enquiries email address.
7 August 2024
Clarified information regarding sending in parcels under the Gifts and parcels section.
2 August 2022
Secure video calls update.
1 April 2022
Updated visiting guidance based on 1 April COVID rule changes
11 March 2022
Added link to new safer custody information under Security and safeguarding.
1 February 2022
Updated visiting information: Suspended visits.
7 January 2022
Updated visiting information: Testing for visitors aged 12 and over.
27 July 2021
Added link to information about testing for physical contact at visits.
20 July 2021
Clarification on the rules for sending in books, under the 'Gifts and parcels' section
20 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.
6 January 2021
Covid update
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.
2 September 2020
Updated visiting information in line with coronavirus restrictions.
11 August 2020
Updated visiting information in line with coronavirus restrictions.