Birmingham Prison
Birmingham Prison is a men’s prison in the Winson Green area of Birmingham.
Applies to England and Wales
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Book and plan your visit to Birmingham Prison
There may be a limit to the number of visits a prisoner can have. You can check this with Birmingham Prison when booking.
Contact Birmingham Prison 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 the prison
- somewhere to stay overnight
- meals
How to book family and friends visits
You can book your visit by telephone.
Booking enquiries: 0121 598 8050
The booking line is open Monday to Sunday: 8:30am to 4:30pm
Find out about call charges
Maximum on a booking is 3 adults and 3 children.
A 13+ year old is classed as an adult regarding seating arrangements.
There are 26 tables available each session and a maximum of £30 to spend per table, not per person visiting.
Visiting times
- Monday to Sunday: Morning sessions 9:30am to 11:30am, afternoon sessions 2pm to 4pm.
How to book legal visits
To book a legal visit you can call the booking line: 0121 5988170
You can also email: legalvisitsbirmingham@justice.gov.uk
Email: probationlegalvisits@justice.gov.uk for probation legal visits only.
Email: VCCBirmingham@justice.gov.uk for legal video conference bookings only.
Legal visit times
- Monday to Friday 8:30am and 4:30pm. If you require the appointment for the following day the latest this can be booked is 2pm.
All legal visitors must bring correct ID which includes Photo Identification otherwise access into the establishment may not be granted.
Getting to Birmingham Prison
Find Birmingham Prison on a map
Birmingham Prison is about 2 miles from Birmingham New Street Station, where you can take a taxi or change onto local buses and trams. The closest tram station is Winson Green Outer Circle.
To plan your journey by public transport:
There is a free visitors car park with disability access.
Entering Birmingham Prison
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..
All visitors will need to be given a pat-down search, including children. You may also be sniffed by security dogs.
Visitors must adhere to the prison dress code that applies: coats/long cardigans are not permitted on visits, hoodies, or hoods on any clothing are not permitted, hats are not to be worn on visits with the exception of religious headwear. Headwear will be searched subject to HMP Birmingham searching policy, no visitor is permitted to wear gloves, scarves, shawls or ties, no knee length boots are permitted, skirts must be at least knee length when in the standing position, this is regardless of whether there are tights or leggings underneath, shorts must be knee length when in the standing position, must be knee length when in the standing position, dresses must cover the breasts fully and appropriately including the cleavage and midriff area, tops must cover the breasts fully and appropriately including the cleavage and midriff area, no pockets are permitted on any top, trousers / jeans with rips are not permitted, combat style trousers with pockets down the legs are not permitted, clothing displaying offensive patterns or logos are not permitted e.g – Cannabis logos, racist logos or offensive language.
Failure to comply with the above may result in you not gaining entry for your visit. Further details can be requested by calling 0121 598 8178.
Refreshments are available during your visit.
There are strict controls on what you can take into the prison. You will have to leave most of the things you have with you in a locker or with security. Pushchairs and car seats can be brought as far as the visitor waiting area.
Pushchairs are allowed upstairs but must be left outside the visits hall in the visitors waiting area. 1 basic car seat/ carry cot can be brought into the room which must remain on the floor.
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.
Call the booking line if you have any questions about visiting 01215 988 178.
Visiting facilities
There will be refreshments available during your visit and a childrens play area is available to use.
Family days
There are 6 family days per year. For more information, please contact 01215 988 178.
Keep in touch with someone at Birmingham Prison
There are several ways you can keep in touch with someone during their time at Birmingham Prison.
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.
Phone calls
Prisoners have phones in their cells and are able to make calls every day between 7am and 11pm.
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.
You can send emails to someone in Birmingham Prison using the Email a Prisoner service.
You might also be able to attach photos and receive replies, depending on the rules at Birmingham Prison.
Letters
You can write at any time.
Include the prisoners name and prison number on the envelope.
If you do not know their prison number, contact Birmingham Prison.
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 in Birmingham Prison have a list of approved items that can be given to them by family and friends.
Prisoners must first apply for permission to receive items. Birmingham Prison then sends the family member or friend an approved stamp to fix to their parcel.
Family and friends can then hand in the parcel before visits.
Items should be handed in to the property desk in the visitors centre.
You must have a visit booked for the time you hand anything in, otherwise it won’t be accepted.
Items are not normally accepted by post. However, a prisoner who is a foreign national or does not get visits can apply for permission for a family member or friend to send items in. These parcels must also be marked with an approved stamp. Birmingham Prison takes no responsibility for items sent in the post.
Make sure to include the prisoner’s name and prison number on parcels. All items will be opened and inspected by an officer.
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 the HMPPS Incentives Policy, Annex F.
Contact Birmingham Prison if you have any questions.
Life at Birmingham Prison
Birmingham Prison 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 Birmingham Prison 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 Birmingham Prison, 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 Birmingham Prison gets an induction that lasts about 3 days. 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
Around 1000 prisoners are at Birmingham Prison in a mixture of single and shared cells. There are 11 wings, including an older prisoners unit, a drug recovery unit and a first night centre.
Facilities include a library and gym.
Birmingham Prison has a diverse, multi-faith chaplaincy team providing support to prisoners.
Education and work
Prisoners have access to a broad range of vocational training, including bricklaying, plumbing, painting and decorating, carpentry, forklift truck driving, industrial cleaning and catering.
They can also take courses in basic skills, IT, social and life skills, business skills, creative and performing arts, barbering and more. Students have the opportunity to gain recognised qualifications on all courses. The education is provided by Novus.
Birmingham Prison has an active resettlement unit which helps prisoners with housing, benefits and employment issues supported by staff from Job Centre Plus and Citizens Advice.
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 Birmingham Prison
Family services at Birmingham are provided by PACT.
Telephone: 0121 598 8050
Daily, 8am to 4:15pm
Find out about call charges
Information on services and support for families and friends is also available from the visitors centre.
Concerns, problems and complaints
In an emergency
Call 0121 598 8000 if you think a prisoner is at immediate risk of harm. Ask for the Orderly Officer and explain that your concern is an emergency.
| Contact category | Phone number | Additional information |
|---|---|---|
| Non-emergency | 0121 598 8364 | Call this number and ask for the Safer Custody team 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 Birmingham Prison.
Inspection reports
HM Prison and Probation Service publishes action plans for Birmingham Prison in response to independent inspections.
Contact Birmingham Prison
Governing Governor: Carl Hardwick
Telephone (24 hours): 0121 598 8000
Fax: 0121 345 2501
Find out about call charges
Address
HMP Birmingham
Winson Green Road
Birmingham
B18 4AS
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Updates to this page
Published 19 November 2019Last updated 14 August 2024 + show all updates
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Added translation
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Updated visiting guidance based on 1 April COVID rule changes
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Added link to new safer custody information under Security and safeguarding.
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Updated visiting information: Reduced visit schedule and testing for visitors aged 12 and over.
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Updated visiting information: Testing for visitors aged 12 and over.
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Added link to information about testing for physical contact at visits.
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New visiting times and booking information added.
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Prison moved into National Stage 3 framework and is now preparing to open visits for family, friends and significant others. We will update this page with specific visiting information as soon as possible.
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Covid update
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Updated prison info
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Updated visiting information in line with new local restriction tiers.
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Updated visiting information in line with new local restriction tiers
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Updated visiting information in line with new local restriction tiers.
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Updated visiting information in line with new national restrictions in England.
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Updated visiting times and visiting procedure changes in line with coronavirus restrictions.
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Added confirmation of secure video calls made available at Birmingham prison.
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updated legal visits email
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Updated link
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Visit information update
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Coronavirus update
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First published.