Channings Wood Prison
Channings Wood is a men’s prison near Newton Abbot in Devon.
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Book and plan your visit to Channings Wood
To visit someone in Channings Wood you must:
- be on that person’s visitor list
- book your visit in advance
- have the required ID with you when you go
At least one visitor must be 18 or older at every visit.
There may be a limit to the number of visits a prisoner can have. You can check this with Channings Wood.
Contact Channings Wood 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 Channings Wood
- somewhere to stay overnight
- meals
How to book family and friends visits
You can book your visit online.
You can book your visit by telephone.
Booking line: 01803 812060
Booking line opening times:
- Monday: 10am to 2:30pm
- Tuesday: 10am to 2:30pm
- Wednesday: 10am to 2:30pm
- Thursday: 10am to 2:30pm
- Friday: 10am to 2:30pm
- Saturday: closed
- Sunday: closed
Email: socialvisits.channingswood@justice.gov.uk
Visiting times:
- Monday: closed
- Tuesday: closed
- Wednesday: 2pm to 4pm
- Thursday: closed
- Friday: 2pm to 4pm
- Saturday: 2pm to 4pm
- Sunday: 2pm to 4pm
Saturday and Sunday visits alternate between prisoners in the main prison and the vulnerable prisoner’s unit. The booking line can advise you on the appropriate weekend day to visit.
The visiting entitlement is one hour only, between the hours of 2pm to 4pm, however we will endeavour to allow you to have as much time as possible.
Secure video calls for family and friends by Prison Video
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.
How to book legal and professional visits
Face to Face legal visits can only be booked by email:
legalvisits.channingswood@justice.gov.uk
Face to Face legal visiting times
- Tuesday: 9:30am to 11:30am
- Thursday: 9:30am to 11:30am
Video link visits for professional and legal visitors
Channings Wood accept video links for the courts, probation interviews, legal visits and inter-prison visits. For court and probation video links, email OMU.channingswood@justice.gov.uk.
For legal visits and inter-prison visits, email legalvisits.channingswood@justice.gov.uk.
In your email, include:
- name of the prisoner
- reason for the video link
- date and time
- contact details
Getting to Channings Wood
Find HMP Channings Wood on a map
The closest railway station is Newton Abbot which is around 4 miles from Channings Wood Prison. There is a large taxi rank at the train station and will cost approximately £13 to £15 Monday to Saturday and approximately £18 to £20 on Sundays.
To plan your journey by public transport:
There is a bus stop at the front of the drive to the establishment that leaves from Sherbourne road in Newton Abbot (main bus station) this is a county bus service and information for the service can be found here.
There is limited parking available onsite for visitors, including spaces at the front entrance for Blue Badge holders.
Entering Channings Wood
All visitors, aged 16 or older must prove their identity before entering the prison. Read the list of acceptable forms of ID when visiting a prison.
Children visiting HMP Channings Wood also require identification. If they do not hold any of the above documentation, a child’s health book ‘red book’ or birth certificate may be accepted. For further guidance contact the booking line on 01803 812060.
Book in at the visitors centre at least half an hour before your visit. The booking office opens at 12pm on visit days.
You must be at the prison gates no later than 3pm for your visit, if you’re later than this time, you will not be allowed to enter.
You may have your finger or thumb prints scanned as part of a security check. You may also have an iris scan. All visitors, apart from children, will have their photo taken.
All visitors will need to be given a rub-down search, including children. You may also be sniffed by security dogs.
Channings Wood Prison has a strict dress code policy, which means visitors should wear smart clothes, no work clothes (including uniforms), no sports shirts or football shirts, no hoods, no mobile phones, no offensive logos, no sunglasses or headscarves unless worn for religious reasons, no ripped jeans, no vest tops, no short skirts or dresses.
There are strict controls on what you can take into Channings Wood Prison. You will have to leave most of the things you have with you in a locker. This includes pushchairs and car seats.
You may bring in dummies, baby wipes, nappies, milk powder and prescribed medication. All baby items must be in a clear plastic bag.
Please note that some of these items may be bagged and tagged in the Visitors’ Centre prior to entry into the prison.
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.
Visiting facilities
There is a visitors’ centre run by Prison Advice and Care Trust. It includes toilets and a children’s play area, and staff are available to offer support and advice to visitors.
The visitor’s centre is open on visits days from 12pm to 4:30pm.
Telephone: 01803 814893
- Wednesday: 12pm to 4:30pm - Friday: 12pm to 4:30pm - Saturday: 12pm to 4:30pm - Sunday: 12pm to 4:30pm
Email: channingswood@prisonadvice.org.uk.
Food and Drink is available during your visit. When you arrive at the Visitor Centre to sign in, you will be given an order form where you can choose what food and drink, you’d like during your visit. Refreshments are paid for prior to your visit and payment can only be made with cash.
Please note, food and drink are subject to availability, and we may not always have the full menu.
Family days
Channings Wood run family visits throughout the year. Details on how these visits are run and what dates they are can be found by contacting: Family_Strategy@justice.gov.uk
PACT provides a range of activities for the whole family.
Keep in touch with someone at Channings Wood
There are several ways you can keep in touch with a prisoner during their time at Channings Wood.
Phone calls
Prisoners have phones in their cells, but they cannot receive calls and can only make them. 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 Channings Wood using the Email a Prisoner service.
You might also be able to attach photos and receive replies from the prisoner, depending on the rules at Channings Wood.
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 Channings Wood.
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 Channings Wood are given a list of approved items that can be sent to them as gifts. Contact Channings Wood for more information on what’s allowed.
Make sure to 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.
Life at Channings Wood
Channings Wood is committed to providing a safe and educational environment where prisoners can learn new skills to help them on release.
Arrival and first night
When a prisoner first arrives at Channings Wood, 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 or family needs.
Induction
Each prisoner who arrives at Channings Wood gets an induction that lasts about a week. 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
Up to 748 prisoners are accommodated at HMP Channings Wood. All cells have a toilet, sink and a phone.
There is a gym and sports hall.
A chapel and separate multi-faith room is available. Appropriate services and meetings are arranged for all major religions.
Education and work
Prisoners at Channings Wood are encouraged to take part in meaningful activity and gain qualifications by enrolling into education and vocational training or work in one of the prison industries or domestic roles.
The prison has 4 large industrial workshops and many vocational training courses and educational activities as well as offending behaviour programmes.
There are resettlement services that offer advice on housing, debt management and help with finding employment.
Temporary Release
Some prisoners may qualify for release on temporary licence. This can be used to gain work experience in the local community, prepare for release or spend time with family. Prisoners can apply for this within the prison.
Support for family and friends
Find out about advice and helplines for family and friends.
To contact our Head of Reducing Re-Offending or our family champion at Channings Wood please email: Family_Strategy@justice.gov.uk.
Concerns, problems, complaints and security and safeguarding
Every prisoner at Channings Wood 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.
If you have any other problem, contact Channings Wood. If you cannot resolve the problem directly, you can make a complaint to HM Prison and Probation Service.
In an emergency
Call 01803 814 600 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 | 01803 814 679 | 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. |
Inspection reports
HM Prison and Probation Service publishes action plans for Channings Wood in response to independent inspections.
Contact Channings Wood
Governor: Huw Sullivan
Telephone: 01803 814600
Fax: 01803 814 601
Find out about call charges
Address
HMP Channings Wood
Denbury
Newton Abbot
Devon
TQ12 6DW
Help us to improve this page. Give us your feedback in this 2-minute survey.
Updates to this page
Published 7 April 2020Last updated 2 August 2022 + show all updates
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Secure video calls update.
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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 rules for sending in money and gifts.
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Updated physical contact guidance
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New visiting times and booking information added.
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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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safer custody hotline update
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Added safer custody reporting information
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Updated visiting information in line with coronavirus restrictions.
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Added survey link
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Updated governor name
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First published.