Brinsford Prison
Brinsford is a prison and young offender institution (YOI) in Featherstone, near Wolverhampton, for men aged 18 to 21.
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Book and plan your visit to Brinsford
To visit someone in Brinsford 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
You can book 28 days in advance to visit most prisoners, or 14 days in advance for prisoners on remand. You must give at least 2 days notice if you want to book or change a visit.
Prisoners can have up to 3 visitors aged 10 or older at a time, and 3 children under 10 for any visit.
Children aged 17 or under must be accompanied by an adult who is on the prisoner’s approved visitor list.
There may be a limit to the number of visits a person can have. You can check this with Brinsford.
All prisoners can have one reception visit from their next of kin and one other adult. To book a reception visit call the booking line.
Contact Brinsford 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 Brinsford
- somewhere to stay overnight
- meals
How to book family and friends visits
You can book your visit online or by telephone.
Telephone booking line: 0300 060 6500
The booking lines are open:
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Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 12pm to 5pm
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Tuesday and Thursday: 9am to 5pm
Visiting times:
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday: 2pm to 4pm
- Wednesday and Friday: no visits
Booking slots are allocated to specific wings each day. This will be explained upon booking.
How to book legal and professional visits
Legal visit times:
- Monday to Thursday: 8:45am to 12pm and 1:45pm to 4pm
Video link times:
- Monday to Friday: 8:45am to 12pm and 1:45pm to 4pm
You can book your visit by telephone.
Booking line: 0300 060 6500
Monday to Friday, 9:15am to 12pm and 1pm to 4pm
Find out about call charges
Getting to Brinsford
Brinsford is about 6 miles from the closest railway station, Wolverhampton. Local buses run from the station to Featherstone but you will need to walk the last mile to Brinsford. Any visitors arriving by bus should let the visitors centre know on the day in case of potential delays. Alternatively, you can take a taxi.
To plan your journey by public transport:
If you are travelling by car, use the postcode WV10 7PY in your sat nav.
There is a visitors car park next to the visitors centre, which includes disabled parking spaces.
Entering Brinsford
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 be given a pat-down search, including children. You may also be sniffed by security dogs.
Visitors should dress appropriately. You may be turned away if you are wearing items like revealing clothing or clothing with offensive slogans or imagery.
Shorts that reach the knee will be permitted from 10 June 2024 – 31 August 2024.
There will be no refreshments available during your visit.
There are strict controls on what you can take into Brinsford. You will have to leave most of the things you have with you in a locker or with security. This includes pushchairs and car seats.
You will be told the rules by staff in the visitors centre at the start of your visit. If you break the rules, or your behaviour is unacceptable your visit could be cancelled and you could be banned from visiting again.
Visiting facilities
There is a visitors centre run by PACT. There will be no refreshments available during your visit.
The centre is open from 4pm on Mondays and 12pm on all other visiting days.
Family days
Family days are not currently available.
Keep in touch with someone at Brinsford
There are several ways you can keep in touch with someone during their time at Brinsford.
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 but these cannot receive 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 Brinsford using the Email a Prisoner service.
You can also attach photos and receive replies.
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 Brinsford.
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
People in Brinsford are given a list of approved items that they can order through a catalogue system. You can send them money for this.
Prisoners can also apply to have their own clothes sent to them. If you receive an approved clothing application, you can send in clothes. You should include a copy of the approved application in the parcel. Make sure to also include the person’s name and prisoner number on the parcel.
All parcels 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 the HMPPS Incentives Policy, Annex F.
Contact Brinsford for more information on what’s allowed.
Life at Brinsford
Brinsford is committed to providing a safe and educational environment where prisoners can learn new skills to help them on release.
Each person is supported based on their specific educational and personal needs.
Security and safeguarding
Every person at Brinsford 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 Brinsford, 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.
New prisoners will spend their first night in a dedicated first night centre where staff are specifically trained to support people through the transition to prison life. 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 person who arrives at Brinsford gets an induction on a specialised unit that lasts 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 and offending behaviour programmes
- information about day-to-day life at Brinsford and how to make the best of their time there
Everyone also finds out about the rules, fire safety, and how things like calls and visits work.
Accommodation
Just under 600 prisoners are at Brinsford across 5 units. Many prisoners get their own cell. Prisoners on the ‘enhanced’ behaviour level can apply to be in unit 5, where cells include a shower.
Prisoners have access to a gym, sports hall and outdoor pitches and can take part in a varied programme of work and education activities.
Brinsford also has a diverse, multi-faith chaplaincy team providing support to prisoners.
Prisoners and staff work together to make sure that everyone at Brinsford takes care of each other and their environment. Levels of cleanliness and hygiene are important.
Brinsford has a prisoner council. Representatives attend regular meetings and share information with other prisoners. They can also raise issues on their behalf.
Education and work
Prisoners have access to education and training provided by NOVUS. A range of academic and vocational courses are provided based on the needs of our prisoners.
Brinsford offers a wide range of activities and work roles based on personal development and employability skills. Activities include:
- domestic duties
- cleaning duties
- kitchen
- gym
- chapel
- library
- gardens
- painting parties
- careers advice
- painting and decorating
- cookery
- industrial cleaning
- music
- construction services
- physical education
- industrial packing
- catering
As a key partner with the local chamber of commerce, Brinsford is continually assessing local projects to expand employment opportunities.
Brinsford also runs a number of accredited offending behaviour programmes.
Temporary release
Prisoners at Brinsford may be eligible for release on temporary licence (ROTL). This is assessed on individual factors and circumstances. ROTL can be used to prepare prisoners for employment and release. Success on ROTL can lead to other benefits, such as weekend home visits.
Brinsford also operates the Home Detention Curfew (HDC) early release scheme. Prisoners who are eligible for HDC will be told when they can apply for this. Approval for HDC will be based on things like behaviour, meeting sentence plan targets and having a suitable home to go to. If prisoners do not have access to a suitable home, they can still apply for early release using accommodation provided by our partners BASS.
Support for family and friends
Find out about advice and helplines for family and friends.
Support at Brinsford
The visitors centre at Brinsford is run by PACT.. Trained, experienced staff are available during visit sessions to help families. They will also give people information about the range of support services available in the local community.
The team includes a dedicated family engagement worker and a child support worker who have specific roles. These roles include child activity and community support, as well as help for prisoners in repairing difficult or damaged family relationships.
Call or ask in the visitors centre for more information.
Telephone: 01902 533 540
Find out about call charges
Concerns, problems and complaints
In an emergency
Call 01902 533450 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 | 01902 533565 | 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. |
Problems and complaints
If you have any other problem contact Brinsford.
Inspection reports
HM Prison and Probation Service publishes action plans for Brinsford in response to independent inspections.
Contact Brinsford
Governor: Amanda Hughes
Telephone (24 hours): 01902 533 450
Address
HMP/YOI Brinsford
New Road
Featherstone
Wolverhampton
WV10 7PY
Updates to this page
Last updated 15 February 2024 + show all updates
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Opening hours updated for visits booking telephone line.
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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: Testing for visitors aged 12 and over.
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Updated physical contact guidance
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Revised visiting times for family, friends and significant others.
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New visiting times and booking information added.
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Prison has resumed visits for family, friends and significant others. We will update this page with specific visiting information as soon as possible.
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Update visit 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 information in line with coronavirus restrictions.
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Added confirmation of secure video calls made available at this prison.
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Updated: HMP Brinsford visiting times and visiting procedure changes in line with coronavirus restrictions.
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Updated governor name
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First published.