HMP BELMARSH Visiting Information

VISITING INFORMATION

VISITING CENTRE

Booking Line Opening Times

Mon & Wed: 08:30-11:30 & 12:30-16:15 & 17:00-19:15
Tue, Thu & Fri: 08:30-11:30 & 12:30-16:15
Sat: 10:00-11:30 & 15:00-15:45
Sun: 08:45-11:30 & 15:00-16:00

Give yourself plenty of time to get to HMP Belmarsh; please aim to arrive at least 30 minutes before the visit time. You must book in no more than 20 minutes after the start of the visits session, or you will not be allowed entry to the prison.
 

Visits to Category A prisoners
For security reasons, people wishing to visit a Category A prisoner must be security cleared before any visits can take place. For full information about security clearance, please contact the prison's security department.

Arrive at least 30 minutes before the visit time. You must book in no more than 20 minutes after the start of the visits session, or you will not be allowed entry to the prison.

Reception Visit
If it is the first time a prisoner has come into prison, they are entitled to a 'Reception Visit' within the first week of entering the prison. This must be booked via the Booking Line.

Booking visits by email:
1) Open blank email
2) Type prisoner’s name, prison number and date of birth in “Subject” line
3) Type the day you wish to come and visit. If possible, give up to two alternative dates.
4) Type the full name, full address, date of birth and relation to the prisoner for every visitor that wishes to visit.
5) In the “To” box type our email address: belmarshV@hmps.gsi.gov.uk
6) You should receive a reply within 24 hours.
Book a minimum of 48 hours in advance and up to two weeks ahead.

Booking Visits - General
A visiting order must be received before booking a visit to a convicted prisoner. Up to 3 adults may visit a prisoner at one time (plus children). Please arrive 30 minutes before the visit time. Visitors to Category A prisoners, must be cleared through the 'Approved Visitors Scheme', prior to being granted a social visit in open conditions. Further details may be obtained from the booking line.

Visitors 17 years and under, visiting prisoners subject to PSO 4400 'Child Protection Measures', must be cleared via the Belmarsh Security Department, before entry will be granted. Further details may be obtained from the booking line.

The Visitor Centre is funded by the prison and managed by a charity (PACT). The staff are there to support and advise families and friends of prisoners in Belmarsh. Anyone wishing to visit a prisoner can ring for information, including the rules about visiting, how to send money, the property allowance and directions to the prison. Information packs will be sent out on request. 

PACT offer the following facilities at the Visit Centre;
Information and advice about prison routines, visiting procedure, the Prison Assisted Visits Scheme, and other organisations that offer help
A coffee bar selling a variety of drinks, snacks, soup and sandwiches
A student social worker is available every Friday. He can give advice about housing problems, claiming benefits, and a range of other issues
Toys for children to play with
Toilets and baby changing facilities
Pact staff and volunteers are always on hand to offer support and a listening ear
Plumstead Community Law Centre provide free advice sessions on housing benefits and family issues (but not criminal law) in the Visitors' Centre on Fridays from 1pm - 4pm. You can visit in person or call 020 8317 3888
An Adfam worker works in the centre on Tuesday afternoons, offering advice and support to relatives of drug and alcohol users. You can drop in or make an appointment

Visitor Centre contact details
6 Belmarsh Road, London, SE28 0HE
Tel: 020 8317 3888
email: belmarsh@prisonadvice.org.uk
The Visitors' Centre Manager is Carole Suffolk.

Help and Support at the Visit Centre
Plumstead Community Law Centre provide free advice sessions on housing benefits and family issues (but not criminal law) in the Visitors' Centre on Fridays from 1pm - 4pm. You can visit in person or call 020 8317 3888.

An Adfam worker works in the Visit Centre on Tuesday afternoons, offering advice and support to relatives of drug and alcohol users. You can drop in or make an appointment.

When you arrive;
To visit a prisoner at HMP Belmarsh you must have:

A pre-booked appointment
Two forms of ID
A Visiting Order (for convicted prisoners only)

At the enrolment centre, the above items will be checked to confirm your visit.
You will then either complete hand geometry (see 'Additional Information') or have an ultra-violet stamp on your hand to validate your entry to the visits hall.

What can I take into the visits hall?

Once you have enrolled, almost all your personal possessions must be left in a locker in the visitors' centre. A £1 coin is needed for the locker.

However, you are allowed to take some items into the visits hall with you:
* your Visiting Order
* your barcode badge (if applicable)
* up to £10 in cash, to buy things from the coffee bar in the visits hall
* an empty baby's bottle
* your locker key
* any essential medication

PLAY SERVICES
The Belmarsh play area is a medium-sized room at one end of the visits hall. It was recently redecorated by the prison, and is a cheerful room with children's artwork on the walls.

Play area opening hours
Monday: 14:00 - 16:00
Tuesday: 14:00 - 16:00
Wednesday: closed
Thursday: 14:00 - 16:00
Friday: 14:00 - 16:00
Saturday: 09:00 - 11:00 and 14:00 - 16:00
Sunday: 14:00 - 16:00
Bank holidays: 14:00 - 16:00

Facilities on offer
* Arts and crafts activities
* Toys and games
* A radio, tape and CD player for nursery rhymes, stories and music
* Trained volunteer playworkers

For more information: Contact Patricia Somerset: Tel. 020 8317 3888

VISIT ROOM

VISITING TIMES

VISITING FREQUENCY

Extended 'Family Day' visits
All-day family visits are held every school holiday. Prisoners have to apply for these and it is mostly for those prisoners with 'enhanced' status. The prisoners and their families can move around the visits hall freely and there are board games, a football table and a range of activities. Dads can play with younger children in the play room.

OFFICIAL VISITS

Cancellations must also be done by fax

PVL - Prison Video Link - 0208 3314400 ext 4612
 

Official Visit Times

Mon:

08:30 - 09:30, 09:30 - 10:30, 10:30 - 11:30, 14:00 - 15:00 & 15:00 - 16:00
 

Tue:

08:30 - 09:30, 09:30 - 10:30, 10:30 - 11:30, 14:00 - 15:00, 15:00 - 16:00 & 17:30 - 18:45
 

Wed:

08:30 - 09:30, 09:30 - 10:30, 10:30 - 11:30, 14:00 - 15:00 & 15:00 - 16:00
 

Thu:

08:30 - 09:30, 09:30 - 10:30, 10:30 - 11:30, 14:00 - 15:00 & 15:00 - 16:00
 

Fri:

08:30 - 09:30, 09:30 - 11:00, 14:00 - 15:00 & 15:00 - 16:00

Evening sessions from 17:45 - 18:45 MUST include Counsel. (The HSU is excluded).

Additional information: Evening visitors MUST be Counsel, Barrister or a QC.

LOCAL INFORMATION

Taxi

Data Cars
17 Anglesea Road, Woolwich SE18 6EG
020 8854 0000

Supercars
11 Greens End, Woolwich SE18 6HX
020 8854 7777

JS Minicabs‎
25-27 Herbert Road, Woolwich SE18 3TB
020 8317 2000

Accommodation

The Old Rectory
80 Maryon Road, London SE7 8DL
020 8317 9694

Blackheath Bed and Breakfast
41 Eastcombe Avenue, Charlton, SE7 7JD
020 8305 0621

One Six Two
162 Westcombe Hill, Greenwich SE3 7DH
020 8465 5444

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

ACCEPTABLE IDENTIFICATION

Visitors over 16 must provide one form of ID from the following list...

* passport
* EC Identity Card
* driving licence
* benefits book
* senior citizen's public transport pass
* employer's or student ID card (if it has photo and/or signature)

...or two forms of ID from the following list:

* birth or marriage certificate
* rail or bus pass with photo
* cheque book and credit/debit card (counts as one item)
* employer's or student pass or ID card
* young person's proof-of-age card
* trade union or National Students' Union membership card
* library card (with signature)
* rent book
* Foreign Identity or Resident?'s Card

What is hand geometry?
Hand geometry is a system that records a 3D image of your hand and stores it on a barcode against an image of your face for recognition purposes. It is checked as you go in and out of the visit. All male visitors and Category A visitors must complete this process. All other female visitors will receive a non-harmful ultra-violet stamp on their hand, again for recognition purposes.
 

TRAVEL INFORMATION

Train:
The nearest stations are Woolwich Arsenal and Plumstead. Catch a bus from Woolwich Arsenal station to the prison, or walk from Plumstead station (contact the visitor centre for details).

Facilities at Woolwich Arsenal Station: Refreshments, toilets and pay phone. The whole station is step free and accessible to wheelchairs.

Facilities at Plumstead Station: Pay phone. No part of the station is step free.

Click here for Networkrail information

Bus:
From Woolwich Arsenal Station catch the 244/380 bus to the prison. The bus stops are situated directly outside the exit from the railway station.
Click here for Route 244 timetable
Click here for Route 380 timetable
 

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: 020 8331 4400
Fax: 020 8331 4401

Updated: June 2010