Isle of Wight Prison
Isle of Wight is a high security men’s prison, set across 2 sites (Albany and Parkhurst), just outside Newport, Isle of Wight.
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Book and plan your visit to Isle of Wight
To visit someone at the Isle of Wight prison you must:
- be on that person’s visitor list
- book your visit 24 hours 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 Isle of Wight prison.
Contact Isle of Wight 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 Isle of Wight prison
- Somewhere to stay overnight
- Meals
How to book family and friends visits
You can book a visit by calling the booking line on 01983 634218.
Booking line opening times are:
- Monday to Thursday: 10am to 12pm and 1pm to 4:15pm
- Friday: 10am to 12pm and 1pm to 4pm
How to book legal and professional visits
Official visits via videolink:
- Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays: 2:10pm to 4pm, these can be requested by emailing custody.isleofwight@justice.gov.uk
Getting to Isle of Wight
If coming by public transport, you will need to take a ferry from one of the ports at Lymington, Portsmouth or Southampton. To plan your journey to the port:
From there, take a ferry to the Isle of Wight. Don’t book your ferry until you have email confirmation of your visit.
To plan your ferry crossing use:
- Red Funnel Ferries, telephone 023 8033 4010
- Wight Link, telephone 0870 582 7744
- Hover Travel, telephone 01983 811 000
Once on the island get a bus or take a taxi from the ferry port taxi rank to the prison.
There is parking on both Albany and Parkhurst sites with Blue Badge spaces available.
Entering Isle of Wight
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 searched before entering the prison.
You will also be searched using the passive drug dog (when available) which can lead to a full search and/or a closed visit.
If you refuse to be searched, you will be denied access to the prison.
Isle of Wight has a strict dress code policy, which means visitors should wear smart clothes. That means no vests, no low-cut tops, no shorts, no short dresses and no headwear, other than that worn for religious reasons. Religious headwear will be searched in a discreet area.
There are strict controls on what you can take into Isle of Wight. You will have to leave most of the things you have with you in a locker (£1 refunded) or with security. This includes pushchairs and car seats.
The only things you can take into the visiting hall are money (in coins), prescribed medication (handed to the desk officer), certain baby feeding items and disability aids.
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
Barnardo’s runs a visitors centre for both sites at the Albany site car park.
The centre provides information, support and guidance. You can purchase refreshments during your visit. You are allowed to bring in coins (no notes) for purchases. There is a children’s play area available to use.
It offers useful information packs for first-time visitors and emotional and practical support after a visit.
Family days
There are currently no family days being run.
Keep in touch with someone at Isle of Wight
There are several ways you can keep in touch with a prisoner during their time at Isle of Wight.
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 phones in their cells but the phones do not accept incoming calls. They will always have to call you and need to buy phone credit to do this.
They can phone anyone named on their list of friends and family between the hours of 7am and 10pm. 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 to keep the public and prisoners safe.
You can send emails to someone in Isle of Wight using the Email a Prisoner service.
You might also be able to attach photos and receive replies from the prisoner, depending on the rules at Isle of Wight.
Letters
You can write at any time but you must include your name and address within the letter. Anonymous letters are not allowed.
Write the prisoners’ full name and prisoner number (if known) on the envelope.
All post, apart from legal letters, will be opened and checked by prison staff.
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 are given a small list of items that can be sent in to them. They need written approval beforehand.
Once this approval has been given, make sure to include the prisoner’s name and number on the parcel.
All parcels will be opened, checked and X-rayed 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 Isle of Wight
Isle of Wight is committed to providing a safe, secure and decent rehabilitative environment where prisoners can learn new skills to help them in custody and on release.
Security and safeguarding
Every prisoners at Isle of Wight has a right to feel safe.
For further information about what to do when you are worried or concerned about someone in prison visit the Prisoners’ Families helpline website.
The staff are responsible for prisoners safeguarding and welfare, and the Governor is ultimately responsible for staff and prisoners at all times.
Arrival and first night
When a prisoner first arrives at Isle of Wight, and their pin phone account is activated, they will be able to call a family member. This call could be quite late in the evening, depending on the time they arrive.
If they can’t make the call, staff will make contact on their behalf.
The prisoner will also 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 Isle of Wight gets an induction that lasts about 2 weeks. 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 and risk reduction
Everyone also finds out about the rules, regime, equalities, fire safety, and how things like calls and visits work.
Accommodation
There are over 1,000 prisoners at the Isle of Wight prison, housed in a mixture of single and double cells.
It consists of 2 former prisons (HMP Parkhurst and HMP Albany). On the Albany site, there are 7 wings and on Parkhurst there are 8.
Both sites have healthcare units, a gym and pastoral care.
Education and work
The prison provides a number of courses for prisoners convicted of sex offences.
Milton Keynes College offers a wide range of education, including degree courses and vocational training.
Prisoners can work in wood mills, textile shops, print shops, gardens and waste workshops.
Organisations Isle of Wight works with
There is support, education and help at the prison from:
- Barnardos
- Good Vibrations
- Changing Tunes
- Milton Keynes College
- Isle of Wight council
- Story Book Dads
- Shannon Trust
- Open University
- Prison Education Trust
- Care UK healthcare
- DARTS
Support for family and friends
Find out about advice and helplines for family and friends.
Barnardo’s offers further support, if needed.
Concerns, problems and complaints
In an emergency
Call 01983 634 000 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 | 0800 496 1125 | 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 Isle of Wight.
Inspection reports
HM Prison and Probation Service publishes action plans for Isle of Wight in response to independent inspections.
Contact Isle of Wight
Governor: Doug Graham
Telephone: 01983 634 000
24 hours
Fax: 01983 556 362
Find out about call charges
Follow Isle of Wight on Twitter/X
Email: Secretariat.HMPIsleofWight@justice.gov.uk
Address
HMP Isle of Wight
Albany House
Newport
Isle of Wight
PO30 5RS
Safer custody hotline
If you have concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a prisoner in Isle of Wight, call the safer custody hotline which is checked regularly each day.
Telephone: 0800 496 1125
Find out about call charges
Leave your name, telephone number, the reason for your call and the name and prisoner number of the prisoner you’re worried about. You should be called back within 24 hours.
In an emergency, call the switchboard.
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Updates to this page
Last updated 2 August 2022 + show all updates
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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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Visits temporarily suspended.
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Updated physical contact guidance
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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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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 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 visiting information in line with coronavirus restrictions.
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Updated visiting information in line with coronavirus restrictions.
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Updated video call info
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First published.