Deerbolt Prison
Deerbolt is a prison and young offender institution near Barnard Castle, County Durham for men aged 18 and over.
Applies to England and Wales
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Book and plan your visit to Deerbolt
To visit someone in Deerbolt you must:
- be on that person’s visitor list
- have a visiting order
- book your visit at least 2 days in advance
- have the required ID with you when you go
There is a maximum of 3 visitors in total, of which one must be 18 or older.
The number of visits a person can have depends on the ‘privilege’ level he’s on, but at least 4 a month.
Contact Deerbolt 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 Deerbolt
- somewhere to stay overnight
- meals
Application forms are available in the visitor centre.
How to book family and friends visits
You can book your visit online or by telephone.
Booking line: 01833 633349
Booking line opens Monday to Friday, 9am to midday
Visiting times:
- Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday: 1:45pm to 3:45pm
You will be given a visit of at least one hour in length and up to two hours for those with the first arrival times.
Monthly Family Days will vary in time and date for delivery. Families will be notified in advance.
How to book legal and professional visits
There are currently no formal legal visit sessions. For enquiries or booking a session, contact LegalVisits.Deerbolt@justice.gov.uk.
Getting to Deerbolt
Find Deerbolt on a map The closest railway station is Darlington. From there you can get a taxi or take the bus.
To plan your journey by public transport use:
There is a free visitors car park.
There is also a disabled visitors car park. A Blue badge must be displayed if parking in the designated zones.
Entering Deerbolt
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.
All visitors will need to be given a pat-down search, including children. You may also be sniffed by security dogs.
- 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, further details can be requested on your first visit
- There are strict controls on what you can take into HMP YOI Deerbolt. You will have to leave most of the things you have with you in a locker in the visitors’ centre or in your car - this includes pushchairs and car seats
- Call the booking line if you have any questions about visiting
Visiting facilities
There is a visitors and family support centre run by Nepacs. There is also a tea bar and children’s play areas.
Family days
HMP YOI Deerbolt run 12 family visits a year. Details on how these visits run can be found here or by contacting: deerbolt@justice.gov.uk
Keep in touch with someone at Deerbolt
There are several ways you can keep in touch with someone during their time at Deerbolt.
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
You can request a secure video call with someone in this prison via the Prison Video app.
You will receive a notification when your request has been accepted.
Phone calls
Prisoners do not have phones in their cells so they will always have to call you. They have to buy phone credits to do this. They usually call in the evenings during the week and in the daytime at weekends.
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.
Officers may listen to phone calls as a way of preventing crime and helping keep people safe.
You can send emails to someone in Deerbolt using the Email a Prisoner service.
You might also be able to attach photos that will be printed out.
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 Deerbolt.
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
You cannot hand over items during a visit. You may leave books with staff in the visitors centre, who will check them and pass them on to the prisoner.
You can only send in underwear, socks and books. No other items are allowed. The parcel must be clearly labelled with what’s inside.
Make sure to include the person’s name and prisoner number on the parcel.
All parcels will be opened and checked by officers.
People in Deerbolt are given a list of approved items that they can buy from a catalogue.
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 Deerbolt
Deerbolt is committed to providing a safe and educational environment where prisoners can learn new skills to help them on release.
Security and safeguarding
Every person at Deerbolt 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 Deerbolt, 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 be able to have a shower and 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 Deerbolt will at first be located in the induction unit (G wing).
Everyone will get:
- a 2nd class letter to write home
- an information booklet
- an information booklet for their family and friends
- the canteen price list, from which they will be able to order items
Prisoners get an induction that lasts about 3 days or longer, if needed. 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 500 prisoners live at Deerbolt mostly in single cells. There are 10 wings, including K wing which is a small unit holding 16 prisoners.
There is a gym, astroturf pitch and sports field.
There is also a health centre and multi-faith chaplaincy team.
Education and work
Deerbolt’s education department is run by NOVUS and offers both full-time and part-time courses in a variety of subjects.
Students have the opportunity to improve their basic skills, learn new skills and gain qualifications, to help them gain future employment.
Education courses include:
- literacy and numeracy
- IT
- health and safety
- Football Association refereeing
- food hygiene
- parenting
- employability
Vocational training courses and work opportunities include:
- painting and decorating
- joinery
- recycling
- gardening
- catering
- laundry
- printing and design
- waste management
- multi-skills
- bike repairs
- interior fittings
Other activities available are:
- distance learning
- peer tutoring, including literacy
- working in the education department and library
Career advice is offered by Changing Lives and reading support from the Shannon Trust.
Deerbolt offers accredited offending behaviour courses along with other psychological services.
Deerbolt works with partners such as Jobcentre Plus and the National Careers Service to help prisoners work towards finding employment or related training after release.
Accommodation and financial advice is provided by Shelter. Advisers will also try to link prisoners with community-based agencies to help ensure that support continues after release.
Temporary release
Prisoners are not usually released on temporary licence, but the opportunity to move to a prison that offers release on temporary licence (ROTL) is available.
Organisations Deerbolt works with
NEPACS supports anybody affected by imprisonment in the north east. Deerbolt also works with Darlington County Council and Greggs Foundation.
Support for family and friends
Find out about advice and helplines for family and friends.
To contact our head of family provision at HMP YOI Deerbolt email: deerbolt@justice.gov.uk
Support at Deerbolt
The visitors centre at Deerbolt is run by Nepacs who can offer help and support.
Contact Nepacs on: 01833 633 272
Find out about call charges
Concerns, problems and complaints
In an emergency
Call 01833 633200 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 | 01833 633212 | 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 email: deerbolt@justice.gov.uk
Inspection reports
HM Prison and Probation Service publishes action plans for Deerbolt in response to independent inspections.
Contact Deerbolt
Governor: Melanie Stobbart
Email: deerbolt@justice.gov.uk
Telephone (24 hours): 01833 633 200
Address
HMP/YOI Deerbolt
Bowes Road
Barnard Castle
County Durham
DL12 9BG
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Updates to this page
Last updated 1 April 2022 + show all updates
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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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Updated physical contact guidance
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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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Updated 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 national restrictions in England.
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Updated information about visiting facilities and family days. Added information about how to book video calls with residents.
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Updated visiting information in line with coronavirus restrictions.
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Updated visiting information in line with coronavirus restrictions.
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Updated information to include confirmation of secure video calls being available at this prison.
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added survey link
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Visit information update
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First published.