HMP ACKLINGTON Visiting Information

VISITING INFORMATION

VISITING CENTRE

Booking via email is available at socialvisits.acklington@hmps.gsi.gov.uk

Family and Friends Support Centre
Acklington's Family and Friends Support Centre is run by the NEPACS organisation and is directly situated outside the establishment which is also shared by HMYOI Castington visitors where all social visitors are required to book in.

The centre has a range of facilities including toilets, children's play area, baby changing facilities and a refreshment bar which serves a range of sandwiches and drinks. The centre is accessible to all and the staff who work in the centre are there to assist you.
Telephone number: 01670 382066 (12:30-16:30).

Please tell the booking clerk, when booking, if you will need a wheelchair.
 

The IMB say ...

"This building is outside of the prison perimeter but close enough for prisoner visitors for both Acklington and Castington to be within walking distance of the main gate. This is a truly excellent project, run by NEPACS (North East Prisoners’ Aftercare Society), a charity based in Durham. The centre is staffed by both paid and volunteer workers and combines the care of visitors for HMP Acklington and the adjacent HMYOI Castington. It serves over 41,000 visitors a year, with staff who make them welcome in a comfortable building, sorting out their visiting times and explaining procedures to new visitors. They also have a crèche for the children, both while they are waiting and in the prison Visits room itself, provide tea and refreshment bars in both places. A member from the IMB’s of both prisons attends NEPACS’ quarterly management meetings.

Babies and Toddlers

If you have a small child, the following may be taken into the Visits Room;

> 2 nappies
> 1 small travel pack of baby wipes
> 1 factory sealed bottle of milk/juice
> 1 factory sealed jar of baby food & a small plastic feeding spoon
> 1 dummy
> 1 baby grow & 1 bib
> Pushchair or baby carrier 

Arrival

Entry will not be allowed after 15.15 unless there are exceptional circumstances

VISIT ROOM

VISITING TIMES

VISITING FREQUENCY

> Visiting Orders (VOs) are valid for 28 days from the date of issue.

> Privileged Visiting Orders (PVOs) are valid for 28 days from the date of issue. They cannot be used on a weekend.

> The VO is valid for ONE visit only.

> Only 3 adults are allowed on each VO (Anyone over the age of 12 are classed as adults for seating purposes). Governor's approval must be sought for larger immediate families.

OFFICIAL VISITS

LOCAL INFORMATION

Taxis

Metro City Taxis Ltd‎
Worswick Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1
0191 222 0999

NODA Taxis Ltd‎
Newcastle Central Station, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 5DB
0191 222 1888

Central Taxis‎
Haymarket, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1
0191 271 6363

Accommodation

Brandling Guest House
4 Brandling Park, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear,NE2 4QA
0191 281 3175

The Lynnwood Guesthouse
Lynnwood Business Centre, Unit 7, Lynnwood Terrace, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE4 6UL
0191 273 3497

Harbour Guest House
24-26 Leazes Street, Amble, Morpeth NE65 0AA
01665 710381

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

ACCEPTABLE IDENTIFICATION

All Visitors are required to provide proof of identity, or they will be refused entry. The following photo-bearing identification is acceptable alone:
> Passport
> Driver's Licence
> Citizen card
> Employer's ID
 

Two or more of the following documents are required if there is no photo bearing identification:
> Rail/bus passes photo bearing
> Cheque book/credit/debit card with signature
> Young persons proof of age card
> Trade or Student union membership card
> Birth/Marriage certificates
 

All Children will also need to have identification.
> Passport
> Birth certificate
> Bus Pass
This is not an exhaustive list. Please check with the booked visits clerk for other valid forms of identification.
 

TRAVEL INFORMATION

From the Haymarket bus station in Newcastle take a 518 bus which stops directly outside the Visitor Centre. The journey takes about an hour and costs around £5.50 return. Sunday service is the same as weekday.
Click here for bus timetable

From Central Station in Newcastle take a train to Acklington and either walk (2 miles) or take a taxi to the Prison.

Facilities at Newcastle Station: Refreshments, toilets, baby changing facilities, public phones, ATM. The whole station is step free.

Facilities at Acklington Station: Public phones only, The whole station is step free.

PRISON SWITCHBOARD TELEPHONE NUMBERS

These numbers are not for booking visits but may be useful in emergencies or if you have problems booking a visit or enroute.
Tel: 01670 762 300
Fax: 01670 762 301

Updated: July 2010