Leicester Prison
Leicester prison is a men’s prison in the centre of Leicester.
Applies to England and Wales
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Please note the prison currently has an outbreak of Measles. We ask that visitors be very mindful of this information and please don’t come in if they suspect anyone visiting has Measles.
Book and plan your visit to Leicester prison
To visit someone in Leicester Prison you must:
- be on that person’s visitor list
- 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 Leicester prison.
Contact Leicester Prison if you have other 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 Leicester Prison
- somewhere to stay overnight
- meals
How to book family and friends visits
Visits can be booked by:
- prisoner led application - prisoner submits an application form for a social visit to wing staff
- book your visit online
Visits Entitlements
- Enhanced IEP prisoners – maximum of 4 visits per month
- Standard IEP – maximum of 3 visits per month
- Basic IEP prisoners – 2 visits per month.
Remand Prisoners – Up to 3 per week. Remand prisoners can book on both Saturday and Sunday, but a maximum of 1 visit can be in on the PM session.
Visiting times:
- Monday: 2pm to 4pm
- Tuesday: 2pm to 4pm and 5pm to 6:30pm
- Wednesday: 5pm to 6:30pm
- Thursday: 2pm to 4pm and 5pm to 6:30pm
- Friday: No Visits
- Saturday: 9:30am to 11:30am and 2pm to 4pm
- Sunday: 9:30am to 11:30am and 2pm to 4pm
- Bank holidays: As a rule, visits will run on Bank Holidays if scheduled. Christmas Day and Boxing Day will not have visits.
How to book legal and professional visits
To book a professional visit call: 01162 283 246
To book via email: hmpleicesterlegalvisits@justice.gov.uk
HMP Leicester has a large capacity available at short notice for visits via the video link system, however, face-to-face visits are still available and can be arranged again at short notice.
Visiting times:
- Monday: 9am to 5pm
- Tuesday: 9am to 5pm
- Wednesday: 9am to 5pm
- Thursday: 9am to 5pm
- Friday: 9am to 5pm
Visits are logged in hour slots, but you can have more than 1 slot if required please discuss your requirements with the Legal Visits booking member of staff.
Getting to Leicester Prison
Find Leicester Prison on a map
The closest railway station is Leicester. The prison is opposite Leicester Royal Infirmary (hospital) which is well signposted.
To plan your journey by public transport:
There is no car parking available at Leicester Prison but there are ‘pay and display’ spaces nearby and in the city centre.
Entering Leicester Prison
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.
Refreshments on visits are purchased in bundles of £5 for a quantity of items. These are paid for in cash prior to entry into the visit hall.
All visitors will need to be given a rub-down search, including children.
You may need to have your finger or thumb prints scanned (or an iris scan) as part of a security check. You may also be sniffed by security dogs.
Leicester Prison has a dress code policy, which means visitors should wear clothing that is considered decent for consideration of all visitors who may attend (no vests, no low-cut tops, no shorts, no short dresses, no see-through clothing, no hoodies and no headwear, other than that worn for religious or medical reasons which may require a private search). Lightweight cardigans and jumpers without hoods can be worn, but thick or heavy jacket type clothing may be refused.
There are strict controls on what you can take into prison. You will have to leave most of the things you have with you in a locker or with security. This includes pushchairs, car seats, mobile phones and cameras.
Visitor conduct and expected behaviours are displayed on each table in the visiting hall. If you break the rules, your visit could be cancelled and you could be banned from visiting again.
Visiting facilities
A family-friendly visitors centre is run by the charity, Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT).
It has a children’s play area, drinks and snacks.
Family days
HMP Leicester in conjunction with PACT run Family Days at HMP Leicester which are significantly different from normal Social Visits that are run daily. Family Visits offer a more relaxed environment for both prisoners and visitors. The Family Days run to a theme such as Sports Day, Back to School, Christmas, and many more, during all Family Days there are activities on offer such as:
- group activities
- arts & crafts
- competitions
- games
- guest appearances from outside partner agencies such as football clubs etc
In addition to activities catering is offered by the Prison so visitors and prisoners do not need to purchase any refreshments as they are all provided, often in line with the days theme.
Family Days are held 4 times a year as a minimum and are advertised to both prisoners and families. Family Days are available to all prisoners irrespective of their Incentives Earned Privileges level.
Keep in touch with someone at Leicester Prison
You may not be able to speak with someone during their first few days. This is because it can take time to approve who they can be in touch with. But usually a PIN phone account is set up on the second day and then the prisoners can submit their contact list.
Phone calls
Prisoner do have prison PIN phones in their cells. They will always need to call you, rather than you call them. His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service has a duty to ensure that prisoners can maintain contact with friends and family where this is in the best interests of both parties. The PIN phone system is one way of achieving this. All calls except those which are confidential (legal advisers as notified by the prisoner to the PIN phone clerk), courts, MPs, or Confidential Access organisations) are recorded but not all are monitored. There must be a justifiable reason before communications are monitored.
If you need to contact the prison, telephone: 0116 228 3000.
Prisoners can phone anyone named on their approved contact list of friends and family. This list is checked by security.
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.
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.
You can send emails to someone in Leicester Prison using the Email a Prisoner service.
Letters
You can write at any time.
Include the person’s name and prison number on the envelope, under the address. If you do not know their prison number, contact Leicester.
Write your own name and address on the back of the envelope.
Paper and envelopes can be bought from ‘canteen’ (the prison shop), so prisoners can write back.
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
Gifts are not permitted under any circumstances at Leicester Prison.
You can send prisoners money instead which they can use to buy items through a catalogue system.
Life at Leicester Prison
Leicester Prison 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 Leicester Prison 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.
Peer workers are on site to provide help and support to prisoners going through difficult times. ‘Listeners’ are similar but are selected, trained and supported by the Samaritans. They offer 24/7 confidential support to prisoners in distress and help reduce levels of self-harm.
Faith services
A chaplaincy team serves the staff and prisoners of all faiths and none, offering help and support to anyone at a time of crisis. The team helps to resettle prisoners released back into the community in the Leicester area.
Arrival and first night
When someone first arrives at Leicester Prison, 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. They will also be able to have a shower and a hot meal and be given fresh bedding and a tea pack.
Induction
Each prisoner who arrives at Leicester Prison gets an induction that lasts 3 days. 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
Everyone also finds out about the rules, fire safety and how things like calls and visits work.
Accommodation
Around 350 prisoners live at Leicester Prison in shared living accommodation.
Education and work
People Plus provides education in maths, English, ICT and vocational City and Guilds qualifications in tiling, plastering, painting and decorating.
It offers NVQs in food production and cooking, courses in cleaning, as well as customer services and barista training.
It also provides courses on personal development, job seeking and interview techniques.
Leicester Prison has a range of employment which include a contract services workshop, a waste management unit, a laundry, wing cleaners and painters, a catering team and a maintenance team.
There is a well-equipped gym open every day for weights, cardio, fitness, short-course tennis, aerobics and circuit training.
First aid courses are also available.
Release on temporary licence (ROTL)
ROTL is available to prisoners at Leicester Prison, although most will not be eligible for it.
Organisations Leicester Prison works with
Many arts and community partnerships come in to work with prisoners. Activities have previously been delviered by Leicester University, De Montfort University and the National Space Centre.
Musicians, arts and theatre companies help prisoners create and develop productions.
Primary and mental health is given by Nottingham Partnership Trust, including local dentists.
Turning Point helps prisoners with substance misuse both in and out of prison.
Support for family and friends
Find out about advice and helplines for family and friends.
Support at Leicester prison
The Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT) is the family services provider for HMP Leicester.
To contact the Family Engagement Worker email leicester@prisonadvice.org.uk.
The PACT team provides a range of information, guidance and support to families and friends of prisoners at HMP Leicester. More information is available on the PACT website.
PACT specialises in the effects of imprisonment and works with prisoners and their families to provide support and help strengthen and maintain family ties.
To contact Families and significant Others lead please email: Families.Leicester@justice.gov.uk.
Telephone (24-hour answerphone): 01162 283 000.
Concerns, problems and complaints
In an emergency
Call 0116 2283 129 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 | 0116 2283 000 | 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 Leicester Prison.
Inspection reports
HM prison and Probation Service publishes action plans for Leicester Prison in response to independent inspections.
Contact Leicester Prison
Governor: Jim Donaldson
Telephone (24 hour answerphone): 01162 283 000
Fax: 01162 283 001
Find out about call charges
Follow Leicester prison on Twitter/X
Address
HMP Leicester
116 Welford Road
Leicester
LE2 7AJ
Help us to improve this page. Give us your feedback in this 2-minute survey.
Updates to this page
Published 18 December 2019Last updated 19 January 2024 + show all updates
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Updated dress code policy: no hoodies are allowed to be worn during a visit.
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Visitors are no longer able to book visits via the visitor centre. Online booking and prisoner led applications are still available to use.
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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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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 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 survey link
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Prison visits update.
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First published.