You can book your visit by telephone.
Booking enquiries: 0121 598 8050
The booking line is open Monday to Sunday,Sunday: 8:30am to 4:30pm Find out about call charges
Maximum on a booking is 3 adults and 3 children.
A 13+ year old is classed as an adult regarding seating arrangements.
There are 26 tables available each session and a maximum of £30 to spend per table, not per person visiting.
Visiting times
Monday to Sunday: Morning sessions 9:30am to 11:30am, afternoon sessions 2pm to 4pm.
Birmingham Prison is about 2 miles from Birmingham New Street Station, where you can take a taxi or change onto local buses and trams. The closest tram station is Winson Green Outer Circle.
All visitors will need to be given a pat-down search, including children. You may also be sniffed by security dogs.
Visitors must followadheretothe prison dress code that applies.applies: You cannot wear:
coats/long cardigans
arenotpermittedonvisits,hoodies, or hoods on any clothing
arenotpermitted,hats (with arenottobewornonvisitswiththe exception of religious headwear)
headwear.Headwear will be searched subject to HMP Birmingham searching policy.
Nopolicy,novisitor is permitted to wear:
gloves
scarves
weargloves,scarves,shawls
ties
orties,noknee length boots
arepermitted,skirts shortermust thanbeatleastknee length when in the standing position, this is regardless of whether there are tights or leggings underneath,
shorts thatmust arebe shorter than knee length when in the standing position
trousersposition, /must jeansbe withknee rips
pocketslength onwhen anyin top
combatthe stylestanding trousersposition, withdresses pocketsmust downcover the legs
clothingbreasts displayingfully offensiveand patternsappropriately orincluding logos,the forcleavage example:and Cannabismidriff logos,area, racisttops logos or offensive language
Also:
dresses must cover the breasts fully and appropriately including the cleavage and midriff area
IfFailure youto don’tcomply followwith thesethe guidelinesabove you may resultinyounot gaingaining entry for your visit.
Further details can be requested by calling 0121 598 8178.
Refreshments are available during your visit.
There are strict controls on what you can take into the prison. You will have to leave most of the things you have with you in a locker or with security. Pushchairs and car seats can be brought as far as the visitor waiting area.
Pushchairs are allowed upstairs but must be left outside the visits hall in the visitors waiting area. 1 basic car seat/ carry cot can be brought into the room which must remain on the floor.
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 01215 988 178.
Visiting facilities
There will be refreshments available during your visit and a children’schildrens play area is available to use.
Family days
There are 6 family days per year. For more information, please contact 01215 988 178.
Keep in touch with someone at Birmingham Prison
There are several ways you can keep in touch with someone during their time at Birmingham Prison.
Secure video calls
To have a secure video call with someone in this prison you need to:
Prisoners have phones in their cells and are able to make calls every day between 7am and 11pm.
Phones do not accept incoming calls 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 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 in Birmingham Prison have a list of approved items that can be given to them by family and friends.
Prisoners must first apply for permission to receive items. Birmingham Prison then sends the family member or friend an approved stamp to fix to their parcel.
Family and friends can then hand in the parcel before visits.
Items should be handed in to the property desk in the visitors centre.
You must have a visit booked for the time you hand anything in, otherwise it won’t be accepted.
Items are not normally accepted by post. However, a prisoner who is a foreign national or does not get visits can apply for permission for a family member or friend to send items in. These parcels must also be marked with an approved stamp. Birmingham Prison takes no responsibility for items sent in the post.
Make sure to include the prisoner’s name and prison number on parcels. All items will be opened and inspected by an officer.
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 Birmingham 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.
Induction
Each prisoner who arrives at Birmingham Prison gets an induction that lasts about 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
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 1000 prisoners are at Birmingham Prison in a mixture of single and shared cells. There are 11 wings, including an older prisoners unit, a drug recovery unit and a first night centre.
Facilities include a library and gym.
Birmingham Prison 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 bricklaying, plumbing, painting and decorating, carpentry, forklift truck driving, industrial cleaning and catering.
They can also take courses in basic skills, IT, social and life skills, business skills, creative and performing arts, barbering and more. Students have the opportunity to gain recognised qualifications on all courses. The education is provided by Novus.
Birmingham Prison has an active resettlement unit which helps prisoners with housing, benefits and employment issues supported by staff from Job Centre Plus and Citizens Advice.
Temporary release
Some prisoners may qualify for release on temporary licence. This can be used to gain work experience in the local community and prepare for release. Prisoners can apply for this within the prison.
Information on services and support for families and friends is also available from the visitors centre.
Concerns, problems and complaints
In an emergency
Call 0121 598 8000 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
0121 598 8364
Call this number and ask for the Safer Custody team 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.
Updated booking information for official video and official face to face visits.
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.
18 January 2022
Updated visiting information: Reduced visit schedule and testing for visitors aged 12 and over.
7 January 2022
Updated visiting information: Testing for visitors aged 12 and over.
24 August 2021
Added link to information about testing for physical contact at visits.
2 June 2021
New visiting times and booking information added.
11 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 prison 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
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.
11 August 2020
Updated visiting times and visiting procedure changes in line with coronavirus restrictions.
6 August 2020
Added confirmation of secure video calls made available at Birmingham prison.