Hewell Prison

Book and plan your visit to Hewell

To visit someone in Hewell you must:

• be on that person’s visitor list
• book your visit in advance
• have the required ID with you when you go

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

There is a limit to the number of visits a prisoner can have which varies by prisoner. You can check this with Hewell.

Contact Hewell 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 Hewell
• somewhere to stay overnight
• meals

How to book family and friends visits

You can:

• book your visit online
• use the telephone booking line: 0300 060 6503 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 3pm.)

Find out about call charges

If you have difficulties in accessing this service you can email: familyservices.management@justice.gov.uk

Visiting times:

• Monday to Thursday, 2pm to 4:15pm
• Friday, closed
• Saturday, 9:30am to 11:30am and 2pm to 4pm
• Sunday, 9:30am to 11:30am and 2pm to 4pm

You can email any general questions about visits to Visits.HMPHewell@justice.gov.uk but we are unable to book visits via this mailbox.

How to book officiallegal and professional visits

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Find out about call charges

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Getting to Hewell

Find Hewell on a map

Redditch and Bromsgrove train stations are the closest to the prison, here you can catch a local bus (Diamond Bus 52 or 52A) to Hewell Park (opposite Tardebigge Inn); this bus stop is about a mile from the prison.

Alternatively, Worcestershire on Demand is an advanced booking service from Bromsgrove station, which will drop you right outside the visitors centre door. (The main prison is outside the service area but the visitors centre is included.)

Taxis are available at both stations and cost approximately £15 for a single journey.

To plan your journey by public transport:

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

If coming by car, use the postcode B97 6QQ for sat nav.

There is a visitors car park outside the prison, including space for Blue Badge holders.

Entering Hewell

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 be given a pat-down search, including children. You may also be sniffed by security dogs.

Hewell has a family-friendly dress code policy which means visitors should dress appropriately. You may be turned away if you are wearing:

• hats, scarves or head coverings which are not worn on religious grounds
• hoodies or gloves
• inappropriately damaged clothing
• metal hair accessories
• steel toe capped shoes/boots or cycle/motorcycle shoes. Boots higher than mid-calf
• non-prescription glasses, for example: sunglasses
• see-through / revealing clothing. This includes gym wear, all in one body suits and low-cut or crop tops
• ripped jeans
• items of clothing that display offensive abusive or insulting words or gestures or may cause offence to others – this includes football shirts
• mini or very short skirts/dresses (shorter than mid-thigh when sitting) unless worn with leggings
• shorts which are shorter than mid-thigh
• underwear should not be visible or exposed and must be worn
• smart watches

Jackets or coats are permitted but must be stored in lockers before entering the main visits room (£1 refundable deposit needed for lockers).

Each visitor is allowed to take in a maximum of £30 in coins, where possible (notes higher than £10 are not allowed).

There are strict controls on what you can take into Hewell. 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. A pushchair can be provided by Hewell if required.

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.

Visiting facilities

There is a visitors’ centre run by PACT. Family and friends can relax, get advice and support from the staff.

The centre includes an unsupervised play area for children.

You can buy snacks and refreshments in the visitor’s centre, but cannot take them into the prison. You can also buy snacks and refreshments inside the visits hall during your visit.

The centre is open:

• Monday to Thursday, 8:15am to 12pm and 12:30pm to 4:45pm
• Saturday and Sunday, 8:30am to 12pm and 12:30pm to 4:30pm

Family days

There are currently no family days being run.

Keep in touch with someone at Hewell

There are several ways you can keep in touch with someone during their time at Hewell.

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

Phone calls

Prisoners do not have phones in their cells 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 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.

Email

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

You might also be able to attach photos and receive replies, depending on the rules at Hewell.

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 Hewell.

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

Prisoners can apply to the governor for permission to receive a parcel of clothing when they first arrive at Hewell. Otherwise, property is generally not permitted to be posted or handed in. You can send prisoners money instead which they can use to buy items through a catalogue system.

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 the full list of approved retailers, you can read Prison education and library services, Annex A.

Life at Hewell

Hewell 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 Hewell 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.

Arrival and first night

When someone first arrives at Hewell, 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 Hewell 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

Over 1,000 prisoners live at Hewell across 6 house blocks.

Facilities include a library and gym.

Hewell has a diverse, multi-faith chaplaincy team providing support to prisoners.

Education and work

Prisoners have access to a broad programme of classes, training and work.

The education and training is provided by Novus. A wide range of accredited courses are offered, including English, maths, painting and decorating and tiling.

Work opportunities include the bike workshop, double glazing, kitchen, laundry, recycling, refuse collection, cleaners, painters and orderlies in various locations.

Support for family and friends

Find out about advice and helplines for family and friends.

Support at Hewell

Family services at Hewell are provided by PACT.

Concerns, problems and complaints

Contact category	Phone number	Additional information
Non-emergency	01527 785150	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 Hewell.

Inspection reports

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

Contact Hewell

Governor: Rebecca Hayward

Telephone (24 hours): 01527 785 000
Fax: 01527 785 001
Find out about call charges

Address

See map