Hewell Prison
Hewell is a men’s prison in the village of Tardebigge, near Redditch in Worcestershire.
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Book and plan your visit to Hewell
To visit someone in Hewell 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 is a limit to the number of visits a prisoner can have which varies by prisoner. You can check this with Hewell.
Contact Hewell 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 Hewell
- somewhere to stay overnight
- meals
How to book family and friends visits
You can book your visit online, by email to visitsbooking.westmidlands@justice.gov.uk or by telephone.
Telephone booking line: 0300 060 6503
Find out about call charges
The booking line is open:
- Monday, Wednesday and Friday: midday to 5pm
- Tuesday and Thursday: 9am to 5pm
Visiting times:
- Monday: 1:15pm to 4pm
- Wednesday: 1:15pm to 4pm
- Friday: 8:45am to 11am
- Saturday: 8:45am to 11am
- Sunday: 8:45am to 11am
How to book legal and professional visits
To book a visit, email: hmppsvisitbooking@justice.gov.uk or you can book by telephone.
Booking line: 0300 060 6503
Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm
Find out about call charges
Visiting times
- Monday to Friday: 9am to 11:30am and 2pm to 4:30pm.
To arrange a prison video link, you must call.
Telephone: 01527 785 309
Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm
Find out about call charges
Video link appointment times are Monday to Friday, 9am to 11:30am and 2pm to 4:30pm.
Getting to Hewell
Hewell is about 3 miles from Redditch station, where you can catch a local bus to Tardebigge. The bus drops you off about a mile from the prison. Alternatively, you can take a taxi.
To plan your journey by public transport:
If coming by car, use the postcode B97 6QQ for sat nav.
There is a visitors car park outside the prison, including space for Blue Badge holders.
Entering Hewell
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.
Hewell has a family-friendly dress code policy which means visitors should dress appropriately. You may be turned away if you are wearing see-through or revealing clothing like vests, low-cut tops or high-cut shorts or dresses. Additionally, you cannot wear hoodies or anything with offensive patterns or slogans.
Each adult visitor is allowed to take in a maximum of £20 in coins (notes are not allowed). The money can be used to buy food and drink from the snack bar in the visiting hall.
There are strict controls on what you can take into Hewell. 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. A pushchair can be provided by Hewell if required.
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 Barnardo’s. Family and friends can relax, buy refreshments and get advice and support from the staff.
The centre includes a play area for children.
The centre is open Monday to Saturday from 8am to 5pm and on Sunday from midday to 5pm.
Family days
There are currently no family days being run.
Keep in touch with someone at Hewell
There are several ways you can keep in touch with someone during their time at Hewell.
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 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 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 Hewell using the Email a Prisoner service.
You might also be able to attach photos and receive replies, depending on the rules at Hewell.
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 Hewell.
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 can apply to the governor for permission to receive a parcel of clothing when they first arrive at Hewell. Otherwise, property is generally not permitted to be posted or handed in. You can send prisoners money instead which they can use to buy items through a catalogue system.
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 Hewell
Hewell is committed to providing a safe and educational environment where prisoners can learn new skills to help them on release.
Security and safeguarding
Every prisoner at Hewell 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 Hewell, 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 Hewell 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 1,000 prisoners live at Hewell across 6 house blocks.
Facilities include a library and gym.
Hewell has a diverse, multi-faith chaplaincy team providing support to prisoners.
Education and work
Prisoners have access to a broad programme of classes, training and work.
The education and training is provided by Novus. A wide range of accredited courses are offered, including English, maths, painting and decorating and tiling.
Work opportunities include the bike workshop, double glazing, kitchen, laundry, recycling, refuse collection, cleaners, painters and orderlies in various locations.
Support for family and friends
Find out about advice and helplines for family and friends.
Support at Hewell
Family services at Hewell are provided by PACT.
Concerns, problems and complaints
In an emergency
Call 01527 785000 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 | 01527 785150 | 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 Hewell.
Inspection reports
HM Prison and Probation Service publishes action plans for Hewell in response to independent inspections.
Contact Hewell
Governor: Ralph Lubkowski
Telephone (24 hours): 01527 785 000
Fax: 01527 785 001
Find out about call charges
Address
HMP Hewell
Hewell Lane
Redditch
Worcestershire
B97 6QS
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Updates to this page
Last updated 14 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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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 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 being made available at this prison.
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Updated governor name
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added survey link
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First published.