Erlestoke Prison
Erlestoke is a men’s prison in the village of Erlestoke, Wiltshire.
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Book and plan your visit to Erlestoke
To visit someone in Erlestoke 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 Erlestoke.
Contact Erlestoke 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 Erlestoke
- 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 303 0634
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:
- Thursday: 2pm to 4pm
- Friday: 2pm to 4pm
- Saturday and Sunday: 2pm to 4pm
Visitors are reminded to attend 30 minutes beforehand.
How to book legal and professional visits
To book Legal visits please email: LegalVisits.Erlestoke@justice.gov.uk.
Getting to Erlestoke
The closest railway station is Westbury, which is about 7 miles from Erlestoke.
The Friends of Erlestoke Prison run a return transport service on visiting days from Westbury station and Devizes town centre.
To book the service:
Email: friendstransportscheme@gmail.com
Telephone or text: 07504 987190
Find out about call charges
To plan your journey by public transport:
There is a visitors car park at the main gate. Parking can be arranged nearer the entrance for those with access needs. Contact Erlestoke to discuss.
Entering Erlestoke
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.
Visitors should dress appropriately. You may be turned away if you are wearing items like revealing clothing or clothing with offensive slogans. Ask at the visitors centre if you have questions about appropriate dress.
Each adult visitor is allowed to take in a small amount of coins (notes are not allowed).
There are strict controls on what you can take into Erlestoke. 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 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 the Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT) charity. Family and friends can relax, buy refreshments and get advice and support from the staff.
The Visitors Centre is open at the following times:
- Thursday: 12:30pm to 4:30pm
- Friday: 8:30am to 4:30pm
- Saturday: 8:30am to 4:30pm
- Sunday 8.30am- 4:30pm
Telephone: 01380 816 828
Find out about call charges
There is currently no food or drink available.
Family days
HMP Erlestoke offers 6 Family Days each calendar year, these are managed through our PACT family support services who will be able to provide full details.
Keep in touch with someone at Erlestoke
There are several ways you can keep in touch with someone during their time at Erlestoke.
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 in cell phones which they can use at any time if they have pin credit.
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 Erlestoke using the Email a Prisoner service.
You might also be able to attach photos and receive replies, depending on the rules at Erlestoke.
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 Erlestoke.
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 Erlestoke are given a list of approved items that can be sent to them as gifts. Contact Erlestoke 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 Erlestoke
Erlestoke Prison strives to provide a safe, decent and secure environment for prisoners, staff and visitors. They focus on preparing prisoners for release with training and education in a social environment.
Security and safeguarding
Every person at Erlestoke 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 Erlestoke, 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 Erlestoke 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
Over 500 prisoners live at Erlestoke across 8 units. Most prisoners get their own cell.
Education and work
All prisoners are expected to engage in purposeful activity during their time at Erlestoke. There are a range of opportunities to study, train or work throughout the prison.
Prisoners can work in areas such as the kitchens and the farms and gardens and earn qualifications at the same time.
Erlestoke also runs a number of accredited offending behaviour programme courses.
Support for family and friends
Find out about advice and helplines for family and friends.
Support at Erlestoke
The visitors centre at Erlestoke is run by PACT. Staff are available to help prisoners and their friends and family.
There is a dedicated helpline on 01380 816 828. You can speak to someone through this line during the visitors centre opening hours on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Outside of those times you can leave a message and someone will get back to you when the visitors centre is open.
Concerns, problems and complaints
In an emergency
Call 01380 814250 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 | 01380 814373 | 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 Erlestoke.
Inspection reports
HM Prison and Probation Service publishes action plans for Erlestoke in response to independent inspections.
Contact Erlestoke
Governor: Sarah Coombs
Telephone: 01380 814 250
Fax: 01380 814 273
Find out about call charges
Address
HMP Erlestoke
Erlestoke
Devizes
Wiltshire
SN10 5TU
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Updates to this page
Published 19 May 2020Last updated 15 February 2024 + show all updates
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Opening hours updated for visits booking telephone line.
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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 physical contact guidance
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New visiting times and booking information added.
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Updated visiting information in line with coronavirus restrictions
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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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Updated safer custody information.
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Updated safer custody telephone information
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Updated visiting information in line with coronavirus restrictions.
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First published.