Berwyn Prison

Book and plan your visit to Berwyn

To visit someone in Berwyn you must:

• be on that person’s visitor list
• book your visit at least 2 days in advance
• 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 person can have. You can check this with Berwyn.

Contact Berwyn 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 Berwyn
• somewhere to stay overnight
• meals

How to book family and friends visits

To arrange a visit you can:

• book your visit online
• telephone 01978 523 352
• email visitsbookingberwyn@justice.gov.uk

The booking line is open Monday to Friday, 10am11am to 3pm.midday and 1:30pm to 2:30pm.
Find out about call charges

Prisoners must add any visitor to their visitor list before you can book a visit. This can take up to 2 weeks.

Visiting times:

• Monday, 8:45am to 9:45am, 10:30am to 11:30am, 2pm to 3pm and 3:45pm to 4:45pm
• Tuesday, 8:45am to 9:45am, 10:30am to 11:30am and 2pm to 4:45pm
• Wednesday, 8:45am to 9:45am, 10:30am to 11:30am, 2pm to 3pm and 3:45pm to 4:45pm
• Thursday, 8:45am to 9:45am, 10:30am to 11:30am and 2pm to 4:45pm
• Friday, 8:45am to 9:45am, 10:30am to 11:30am
• Saturday and Sunday, 8:45am to 9:45am, 10:30am to 11:30am, 2pm to 3pm and 3:45pm to 4:45pm

How to book official visits

To arrange an official visit you can email, legalvisits.berwyn@justice.gov.uk.

Official video and face to face visiting times:

• Monday to Friday, 9am to midday and 2pm to 5pm

Getting to Berwyn

Find Berwyn on a map

HMP Berwyn is located on Wrexham Industrial Estate and google maps is the easiest way to find the prison using the postcode LL13 9QE.

Berwyn is not the easiest prison to get to by public transport, however there are two train stations (Wrexham General and Wrexham Central) both stations are about 4 miles away and Taxi’s are available at the stations, or book in advance on:

Apollo taxis 01978 262 626

Wrexham Prestige taxis 01978 357 777

Station Cars (which is located outside Wrexham General railway station) 01978 363661.

Visitors are also able to order a taxi from the prison for their return journey.

There are several local buses from Wrexham town centre which pass the prison.

There is also parking at the prison, including spaces for Blue Badge holders.

If you have a disability, there is disabled parking at the front of the establishment, and we have disabled toilets available in the Visitor Centre and the Visits Hall. The Visits Hall is located on the top floor, however there is a lift available for those people who struggle with stairs.

Wheelchairs, their users, adults accompanying them, and assistance dogs may need to be searched. Staff who conduct the searches will do so with sensitivity.

Visitors who need physical assistance during their visit must be accompanied by another adult. The establishment’s staff cannot offer personal assistance.

If you have difficulty visiting the establishment because of a disability you can discuss this in confidence with the Visitors Centre staff on 01978 523 000.

To plan your journey by public transport:

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

There is parking at the prison, including spaces for Blue Badge holders.

Entering Berwyn

All visitors, aged 16 or older must prove their identity before entering the prison. Read the list of acceptable forms of ID for all visitors.visitors.

AllEvery visitorsvisitor will needundergo to be given a pat-down search,search includingand children. You may also be sniffedchecked by security dogs.

Dress code for visitors

Visitors shouldmust dress appropriately. You may be turnedrefused awayentry if youyour areclothing wearingdoes itemsnot like:meet the required standards.

Permitted

• outerSkirts garmentsand ordresses hoodiesno includingshorter bodythan warmersjust above the knee.
• denimMinimal jackets,jewellery.
• Clothing andworn leatheras jacketsintended.
• topsOnly mustone havepair sleevesof (t-shirtstrousers andat jumpersa are acceptable)time.
• shorts/cyclingHats, shorts
• skirtsscarves, and dressesgloves mustremoved be(except kneefor lengthreligious orheadwear).
• Boots longerbelow includingthe men,knee women- andmust children/teenagersbe removed for scanning.
• noSandals.
• Light cropjackets tops(cardigans, orblazers) ¾- lengthbut tops (all tops must coverbe stomachremoved andfor cleavage)scanning.
• noUnderwear transparentmust clothingbe worn.
• noCrocs offensiveallowed slogans,if patternsback orstrap logosis secured over the heel.
• noHair rippedaccessories jeansmay onneed anyto partbe ofremoved, theif legflagged (distressedby ismetal okaydetectors.

Not providingpermitted

• See-through fingersor can’trevealing beclothing, putcropped throughtops exposing the gaps)stomach.
• dresses/topsLow-cut musttops.
• Uniforms not(except bepolice backlessofficers on legal visits).
• underwearChains mustresembling bekey wornchains.
• noHeadwear hats,(except withreligious).
• Sunglasses.
• Ripped theor exceptiondamaged ofclothing.
• Hooded religioustops.
• Steel-toe headwearboots, football boots, or similar footwear.
• noFlip-flops, sunglassesslippers, sliders, or Heelys.
• noClothing children’swith blankets,racist, toys,insulting, caror seats,derogatory prams,slogans.
• Outdoor nappiescoats, including leather or wipesdenim (nappiesjackets.
• Clothing andlinked wipesto aregangs provided)or gang affiliation.
• Combat/work trousers.

Additional information

• Baby formula must comebe in powder form or a factoryfactory-sealed made, sealed bottle (boiling water is provided).
• If Ask at the visitors centre if you haveare questionsunsure about appropriate dress.

  Visitors must adhere to the prison dress codecode, thatask applies,at furtherthe detailsVisitors’ canCentre.

• Most bepersonal requesteditems, beforeincluding yourpushchairs firstand visit.

  Therecar areseats, strictmust controlsbe onleft what you can take into Berwyn. You will have to leave most of the things you have with you in alockers locker or with security.

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  You will beexplain told the rules by an officer at the start of your visit. IfBreaking youthese breakrules themay rules,result in your visit couldbeing be cancelled and youa couldpossible be banned from visiting again.

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Visiting facilities

The visitors centre which is run by family services at Berwyn is provided by Barnardos charity.

Refreshments are available during your visit.  You must bring either coins or a card to pay for your refreshments, notes are not allowed.

The children’s play areas are open.

Email: Berwyn@barnardos.org.uk

Telephone: 01978 523004

Find out about call charges

Family days

HMP Berwyn alongside Barnardo’s run several families visits a year. We have 9 themed visits planned to run throughout the year, with 3 visits during the summer with a sporting theme, as well as the usual Christmas visits.

Keep in touch with someone at Berwyn

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

Phone calls

Prisoners have phones in their cells and are able to make calls at any time.

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 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 Berwyn using the Email a Prisoner service.

You are able to attach photos for an additional charge and receive replies.

Emails are monitored.

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

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 Berwyn.

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 send in a message, and hear the show, at nationalprisonradio.com

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 in Berwyn are given a list of items that they can buy from approved suppliers through a catalogue system.

Prisoners on remand or that have been convicted within 28 days can also apply to receive a clothing parcel once or twice a year. This is also dependant on their length of time in prison and their behaviour level. All items must be in line with the facilities list which prisoners have access to.

All items will be opened and checked by officers.

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 Berwyn

Berwyn is committed to providing a safe and educational environment where men can learn new skills to help them on release.

Security and safeguarding

Every person at Berwyn 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 Berwyn, 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.

Extra attention is taken on arrival to make the prisoner as comfortable as possible. Several checks are made on the prisoner through the evening.

Induction

Each person who arrives at Berwyn 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 2,000 prisoners are at Berwyn in a mixture of single and shared cells. All cells have a shower, toilet, hand basin and a phone for outgoing calls.

Each pirsoner is given a Unilink laptop for making applications, ordering canteen items and booking visits. They can also use it to access the Content Hub, a rich source of educational materials, information, news and entertainment.

Prisoners have access to a full-sized sports hall, weights and fitness room and outdoor pitches. The fitness programme includes a range of team sports and classes leading to accredited qualifications.

Berwyn Prison has a diverse, multi-faith chaplaincy team providing support to prisoners. All religious festivals are catered for.

Education and work

Prisoners have access to a broad programme of learning opportunities provided by Novus Cambria. These range from basic skills, such as literacy, Welsh and numeracy, to vocational qualifications and higher learning.

Vocational qualifications include digital media, business enterprise, art, information and communications technology (ICT) and performing arts.

The programme also includes training in a variety of trades and professions, such as:

• bricklaying
• joinery
• horticulture
• plastering
• industrial cleaning

Work is available throughout the prison in areas such as the laundry, waste management and industrial cleaning. Prisoners can also work in one of Berwyn’s industrial workshops, which include a call centre and a DHL distribution centre. Prisoners can earn qualifications while working, for example in performing manufacturing operations and customer service.

Berwyn also runs a number of accredited offending behaviour programme courses. The college also provides personal and social courses in positive thinking and family learning.

Guidance workers provide prisoners with information and advice throughout their studies and work coaches provide individual support to prisoners in finding work on release.

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.

Support for family and friends

Find out about advice and helplines for family and friends.

Support at Berwyn

Family services at Berwyn are provided by Barnardos.

You can ask for more information in the visitors centre or contact them by email and telephone.

To contact our head of family provision at Berwyn please email:

OfficialCorrespondence.Berwyn@justice.gov.uk.

Concerns, problems and complaints

If you have a problem contact Berwyn. If you cannot resolve the problem directly, you can make a complaint to HM Prison and Probation Service.

Contact category	Phone number	Additional information
Non-emergency	01978 523 772	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.

Find out about call charges

Contact Berwyn

Governor: David Redhouse

Telephone (24 hours): 01978 523 000
Find out about call charges

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Address

See map