HMP BEDFORD Visiting Information

VISITING INFORMATION

VISITING CENTRE

Booking

Visits at Bedford can be booked by Email.

socialvisits.bedford@hmps.gsi.gov.uk

Send an email request supplying prisoner's Prison Number, your VO number, date and time of requested visit plus full name, address and date of birth of all visitors.

You can book a visit for up to 3 adults and any number of children providing they are the children of the prisoner being visited.

Booking Services
Click Here to download Prison Service Instruction on visit booking services.

Arriving at the prison

You should arrive at least 30 minutes before the start of your visit and no later than 30 minutes before the end.

When you arrive you should book in at the Visitors' Centre.

You will need: Photo ID, proof of date of birth and proof of address (if producing mail it needs to be dated within last 3 months), visitors under 18 years old need proof of date of birth only. This ID is required for every visit.

HMP Bedford does not photograph visitors.

Click Here to download Prison Service Instruction on Acceptable Identification for visitors.

Visitors' Centre

The Visitors' centre is run by the Ormiston Children's Family Trust.

Ormiston has a new grant from The Bedford Charity (Harpur Trust) for a three year programme of help for children of prisoners in Bedford. Their innovative support work helps children traumatised by the imprisonment of their parent or close relative, working with them in schools and in their home. Click Here for more information.

Searching

All visitors over the age of 4 are searched. This is done respectfully by staff of the same gender. There are no restrictions on religious clothing but headwear may be searched. Searching of religious clothing is carried out in private.

Children

Children of prisoners are welcome at Bedford and there are supervised play facilities within the Visit Room. Prams and buggies are not allowed in the Visit Room and must be left in the Search Area during the visit.

You may take a baby's feeding bottle and nappies with you into the Visit Room.

Should you wish to breast feed your baby this is allowed and a room is available in the Visit Room.

Special child seats are available in the Visit Room.

Click Here to download: KIDS VIP "Children Visiting Prison Good Practice" (2005 – updated 2011).

Disabled visitors

Visits at Bedford are fully accessible to disabled visitors with access ramp, lift and disabled toilets. There is no disabled parking. Visitors who use a wheelchair are asked to inform the prison when booking their visit.

Moving to the Visit Room

You will be issued with a number at the Visitors' Centre, when you book in. Visitors wait in a vestibule until their number is called.

After the visit

Prisoners remain seated whilst the visitors leave the visit hall. Visitors remain in the building until all prisoners are accounted for.

VISIT ROOM

VISITING TIMES

A, C, E & F Wings can have double visits on Monday & Wednesday

B, C, D, E, F Wings & HCC can have double visits Tuesday and Thursday

Only single visits can be booked at weekends.

Children's Visits - Wednesdays 10:00-12:00
 

VISITING FREQUENCY

Family Days are held once a week for prisoners' own children. Any prisoner may apply for these visits.

Ormiston Children's Family Trust run a Parenting Course that entitles the prisoner to a 2 hour family visit once completed.

OFFICIAL VISITS

Email Booking

Legalvisits.bedford@hmps.gsi.gov.uk

Prison Video Link - 01234 373 179

Acceptable Identification
Click Here to download Prison Service Instruction on Acceptable Identification for visitors

Good Practice Guide
Click Here to download NOMS ‘Legal Visits – Good Practice Guide’
 

LOCAL INFORMATION

Taxi

24-7 Cars
11 North Parade, Greyfriars, Bedford MK40 1JF
01234 511247

Bedford Taxis
Rail Station, Ashburnham Road, Bedford MK40 1DS
01234 266516

Anglia Cars
125a High Street, Bedford, MK40 1NU
01234 320032

Accommodation

Bedford Park House
59 De Pary’s Avenue, Bedford MK40 2TR
01234 215100

The Elms Guest House
24 De Pary’s Avenue, Bedford MK40 2TW
01234 353844

www.bedfordbedandbreakfast.com
mervynpoulter@lineone.net

Grafton Hotel
141 Midland Road, Bedford MK40 1DN
01234 359294

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

TRAVEL INFORMATION

Train:
There is a main line station in Bedford town centre and the prison is a 10 minute walk away. You can consult timetables at www.nationalrail.co.uk.

Facilities at Bedford Station: Waiting room, refreshments, toilets, pay phones and ATM. Ramp access to main entrance. Lifts and stairs to all platforms. Barriers with side gate for easy wheelchair access: staff assistance 24 hours.

Bus:
The bus station is a very short walk from the prison. There is a regular bus service from all local towns. 

If you have a question about buses in Bedford you can email your query.
Click Here for bus timetables and maps in Bedford
 

Car:

From the South, take the M1 and exit at junction 13. Follow signposts to Bedford town centre. The prison is located on the A428 in the town centre.

From the North, take the M1 and exit at junction 14 and follow signposts to Bedford town centre. The prison is situated on this road near to the centre of town.

Parking at the prison is extremely limited but there are a number of car parks in the town centre.

There is a Park and Ride system in Bedford; Click Here for more information.

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.

Prison Switchboard: 01234 373000

Prison Fax: 01234 273568

Information about visits has been kindly supplied by the prison with additional information from the Ministry of Justice and, where applicable, from the organisation who runs the Visitors’ Centre.

Information is given in good faith but is subject to change. It is a good idea to check visiting and travel arrangements before organising your visit.

If you find any information has changed or have any comments or suggestions that may assist other visitors please let us know.

Updated: November 2012