Frankland Prison
Frankland is a high-security men’s prison in Brasside, County Durham.
Applies to England and Wales
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Book and plan your visit to Frankland
To visit someone in Frankland 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
At least one visitor must be 18 or older at every visit. Up to 2 adults can visit at one time, along with any children.
The number of visits a prisoner can have depends on the privilege level he is on. You can check this with Frankland.
See the Nepacs website to learn more about visiting Frankland.
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 Frankland
- somewhere to stay overnight
- meals
How to book family and friends visits
HMP Frankland is operating a normal visits schedule.
You can book your visit online.
You can book your visit by telephone or you can also register to use the secure video calls service.
Booking line: 0191 376 5048
The booking line is open Monday to Friday, 9am to midday
Find out about call charges
Visiting times:
- Tuesday to Sunday: 2pm to 4pm. Staff will attempt to allow visitors as long as possible between these times.
How to book legal and professional visits
Booking line: 0191 376 5048
The booking line is open Monday to Friday, 9am to midday.
Getting to Frankland
The closest railway station is Durham, then take a taxi or bus to Brasside.
To plan your journey by public transport:
There is free car parking available at the prison and on-street parking. There are spaces for Blue Badge holders.
Entering Frankland
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.
Frankland has a strict dress code policy, which means visitors should wear smart clothes (no vests, no low-cut tops, no shorts, no short dresses, no ripped clothing, no offensive slogans, no camouflage and no headwear, other than that worn for religious reasons).
Refreshments are available during your visit, however any refreshments should be ordered and paid for in the visitor centre prior to your visit starting.
There is a children’s play area available in the visits hall.
There are strict controls on what you can take into Frankland. You will have to leave most of the things you have with you in a locker (£1 coin refundable) 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 Nepacs. The centre is open on visiting days from 11:30am to 4:15pm.
Refreshments are available to purchase during your visit and there is a children’s play area.
Family days
Family day visits have re-commenced, full details are provided to prisoners via notices on the wing and wing reps. Notices are also provided in the visitor’s centre. Frankland aims to run 12 family day visits a year.
Keep in touch with someone at Frankland
There are several ways you can keep in touch with someone during their time at Frankland.
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 access to in cell telephones which supports family ties.
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 Frankland using the Email a Prisoner service.
You might also be able to attach photos and receive replies, depending on the rules at Frankland.
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 Frankland.
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 can not post or hand in anything for a prisoner in Frankland. Anything the prisoner needs must be ordered through the prison catalogues.
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 Frankland
Frankland 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 Frankland 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 somoene first arrives at Frankland, 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 Frankland 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
Around 850 prisoners live at Frankland across 8 wings. Cells are single with their own toilets and sinks.
There is a healthcare unit and management progression unit.
There are gym facilities and all prisoners have access to a range of physical activities.
Education and work
Milton Keynes College provides various courses from basic skills to degree level. Prisoners can study full time or part time in a range of industrial, vocational and academic settings and gain nationally recognised qualifications.
Prisoners at Frankland can work in furniture production, cutting and sewing and recycling.
A range of offending behaviour programmes are offered.
Organisations Frankland works with
Frankland works with a wide range of local organisations to provide support and guidance to prisoners, including:
- Age UK
- Royal British Legion
- Fine Cell Work
- Samaritans
Support for family and friends
Find out about advice and helplines for family and friends.
If you have a concern about a prisoner please call: 0800 032 0079.
The Children and Families Strategy is overseen by our Reducing Reoffending Committee, chaired by our Head of Reducing Reoffending who can be contacted at Businesshubfrankland@justice.gov.uk.
Support at Frankland
Partners of Prisoners (POPS) family support team provides a range of information, guidance and support to families and friends of prisoners. You can call or ask in the visitor’s centre to speak to someone.
Concerns, problems and complaints
In an emergency
If you have a concern that there is an imminent risk of danger to a person in our care and you wish to speak to a member of staff to raise this concern, then you can call the switchboard: 0191 3765000.
The member of staff answering the phone will not be able to discuss the prisoner in our care, however; they will immediately pass your concern onto a senior member of staff to action.
| Contact category | Phone number | Additional information |
|---|---|---|
| Non-emergency | 0800 0320079 | 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 Frankland.
Contact Frankland
Governor: Darren Finley
Telephone: 0191 376 5048
Fax: 0191 376 5001
Find out about call charges
Email: BusinesshubFrankland@Justice.gov.uk
Address
Business Hub
HMP Frankland
Brasside
Durham
DH1 5YD
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Updates to this page
Last updated 10 August 2022 + show all updates
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Updated operating times for visits booking line from 8:30am to 9am.
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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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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 the family and friends visits booking line times of operation.
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Updated governor
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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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added video calling info
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First published.