Huntercombe Prison
Huntercombe is a prison near Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, for foreign national men.
Applies to England and Wales
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Book and plan your visit to Huntercombe
To visit someone in Huntercombe 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 Huntercombe.
Contact Huntercombe 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 Huntercombe
- somewhere to stay overnight
- meals
How to book family and friends visits
You can book your visit online.
For enquiries only, you can email: socialvisits.huntercombe@justice.gov.uk
Visiting times:
- Monday: 2pm to 4pm
- Thursday: 2pm to 4pm
- Saturday: 2pm to 4pm
- Sunday: 2pm to 4pm
You should aim to arrive at least 30 minutes before the start of your visit. In order to gain admission visitors are required to arrive at the visitors centre no later than 2:30pm. Following this, entry into the establishment will not be authorised, unless for exceptional circumstances.
How to book legal and professional visits
Legal visits are on Tuesday and Thursday mornings and can be booked by email: legalvisits.huntercombe@justice.gov.uk
Getting to Huntercombe
The closest railway station is Henley-on-Thames which is about 7 miles from the prison. You can take a bus or taxi from the station.
To plan your journey by public transport:
There is a visitors car park including space for Blue Badge holders.
Entering Huntercombe
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.
Huntercombe has a family-friendly dress code which means visitors should dress appropriately. You must not wear: hats, scarves, gloves or head coverings (religious head wear only), quilted/puffer coats and hoodies, damaged or distressed clothing, ripped trousers/jeans, see-through / revealing clothing, short skirts / dresses, shorts shorter than mid-thigh length, visible or exposed underwear, clothing with offensive words or gestures, smart watches / fit bits, sunglasses, steel toe capped shoes / boots, motorcycle boots, flip flops, sliders and summer shoes without a heel strap or sports team clothing.
This list is not exhaustive, it is up to prison staff to make decisions. You may be asked to adjust clothing or find an alternative. As a last resort your visit may be cancelled if the dress code is not followed accordingly.
Ask in the visitors centre if you have questions about the dress code.
Refreshments are available, visitors can bring in £30 in pound coins only (no notes).
There are strict controls on what you can take into Huntercombe. 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 where family and friends can relax before they enter the visiting hall. Hot and cold drinks are available along with a small selection of snacks.
The visiting hall includes a baby changing facility. All areas are wheelchair friendly.
The Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT) offers practical advice and emotional support to friends and family of prisoners.
Telephone: 01491 643 132
Find out about call charges
Keep in touch with someone at Huntercombe
There are several ways you can keep in touch with a prisoner during their time at Huntercombe.
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 now have phone facilities within their cells.
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 Huntercombe using the Email a Prisoner service.
You might also be able to attach photos and receive replies from prisoners, depending on the rules at Huntercombe.
Letters
You can write at any time.
Include the person’s name, date of birth and prisoner number on the envelope.
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
Make sure to include the person’s name and prison number on the parcel. They 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.
It’s not possible to send any other items or property. You can send prisoners money instead which they can use to buy items through a catalogue system.
Life at Huntercombe
Huntercombe is committed to providing a safe and educational environment where prisoners can learn new skills to help them on release.
It accommodates foreign national prisoners with between 3 and 36 months left to serve and provides liaison and forums with Home Office Immigration Enforcement.
Security and safeguarding
Every prisoner at Huntercombe 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.
Huntercombe also works with the Samaritans to train prisoners to be Listeners for those who need support during difficult times.
Arrival and first night
When a prisoner first arrives at Huntercombe, 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 Huntercombe 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 480 prisoners live at Huntercombe in a mixture of single and shared cells.
Education and work
Prisoners have access to a broad programme of learning opportunities, ranging from basic skills, such as English and maths, to higher learning and qualifications. Vocational training is available in bricklaying, painting and decorating, industrial cleaning and kitchen work.
The gym offers a range of activities for prisoners of all physical abilities.
Support for family and friends
Find out about advice and helplines for family and friends.
Our establishment Family and Significant Other (FaSO) Pathway Lead is Governor Jagdeep Bhatti. The Families and Significant Others Champion is the Operations Custodial Manager.
Family Days are held on the last Wednesday of each month. Each day is based around a theme and runs from 10am to 3pm. It includes lunch and various activities for the families.
Support at Huntercombe
Family Engagement support for Huntercombe is provided by the Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT).
Email: huntercombe@prisonadvice.org.uk
Concerns, problems and complaints
In an emergency
Call 01491 643100 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 | 01491 643225 | 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, please write to the Governor.
Contact Huntercombe
Governor: David Redhouse
Telephone: 01491 643 100
Fax: 01491 643 101
Find out about call charges
Follow Huntercombe on Twitter/X
Address
HMP Huntercombe
Nuffield
Henley-on-Thames
Oxfordshire
RG9 5SB
Updates to this page
Published 5 May 2020Last updated 18 April 2023 + show all updates
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New contact phone number for the visitors centre - 01491 643 132
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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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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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Changes to visiting times.
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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 info and removed booking email
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Updated visiting information in line with coronavirus restrictions.
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Updated visiting times and visiting procedure changes during coronavirus.
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First published.