Maidstone Prison
Maidstone is a prison in Maidstone, Kent, for foreign national men.
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Book and plan your visit to Maidstone
To visit someone in Maidstone you must:
- be on that person’s visitor list
- book your visit at least 24 hours in advance
- have the required ID with you when you go
Up to 3 visitors over the age of 12 are allowed at a time, plus children under 12. 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 Maidstone prison.
Contact Maidstone 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 Maidstone
- somewhere to stay overnight
- meals
How to book family and friends visits
You can book your visit online, by telephone or by email to socialvisits.maidstone@justice.gov.uk.
Telephone booking line: 01622 775 621
Booking line available Monday to Friday: 9am to 12:30pm
Find out about call charges
Visiting times:
- Tuesday: 2pm to 4pm
- Thursday: 2pm to 4pm
- Saturday: 1:45pm to 3:45pm
- Sunday: 1:45pm to 3:45pm
You should book in at the visitors centre on arrival, from 12:30pm. Anyone arriving after 2:15pm may not be admitted.
How to book legal and professional visits
Email: LegalVisits.Maidstone@justice.gov.uk
Visiting times:
- Monday to Friday: 8:45am to 10:45am
Getting to Maidstone
The closest railway station is Maidstone East. From there you can take a short walk to the Prison.
To plan your journey by public transport use:
There is some free on street parking for up to 2 hours or paid carparks nearby. (please check parking regulations in force at time of visit)
Disabled visitors can park outside of the prison.
Entering Maidstone
All visitors, aged 16 or older must prove their identity before entering HMP Maidstone. 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.
- Visitors must adhere to the prison dress code that applies, further details can be requested on your first visit
- There are strict controls on what you can take into HMP Maidstone. You will have to leave most of the things you have with you in a locker in the visitors’ centre or in your car - this includes pushchairs and car seats.
- Call the booking line if you have any questions about visiting.
Visiting facilities
The Dinsmore visitors centre is run by PACT.
You can purchase refreshments during your visit.
The centre includes toilets and baby changing facilities.
Keep in touch with someone at Maidstone
There are several ways you can keep in touch with a prisoner during their time at Maidstone.
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.
Family days
HMP Maidstone runs 8 family visits a year. Details on how these visits run can be found out by contacting resettlementteam.maidstone@justice.gov.uk.
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 Maidstone 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 Maidstone.
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 Maidstone.
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
Family and friends 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.
Make sure to include the person’s name and prison number on the parcel. They will be opened and checked by officers.
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 Maidstone
Maidstone 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 Maidstone 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 a prisoner first arrives at Maidstone, 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 Maidstone gets an induction that lasts about two 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
Everyone also finds out about the rules, fire safety, and how things like calls and visits work.
Accommodation
Around 600 prisoners live at Maidstone in a mixture of single and shared cells. There are 4 main residential house blocks and one segregation unit.
Facilities include a weights and fitness suite and an artificial turf sports pitch.
Education and work
Prisoners have access to a broad range of education courses and vocational workshops, including bricklaying and decorating.
Work opportunities include a printing workshop, waste management, horticulture, tailoring and contract workshops.
Support for family and friends
Find out about advice and helplines for family and friends.
Family services at Maidstone are provided by PACT.
To contact our head of family provision at Maidstone email: resettlementteam.maidstone@justice.gov.uk.
Concerns, problems and complaints
In an emergency
Call 01622 775 300 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 | 01622 775 615 | 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 a problem or complaint about Maidstone prison, you can email HMPPSPublicEnquiries@justice.gov.uk.
Inspection reports
HM Prison and Probation Service publishes action plans for Maidstone in response to independent inspections.
Contact Maidstone
Governor: Graham Spencer
Telephone: 01622 775 300
Fax: 01622 775 301
Find out about call charges
Address
HMP Maidstone
36 County Road
Maidstone
Kent
ME14 1UZ
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Updates to this page
Last updated 21 June 2022 + show all updates
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Updated Governor
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Updated visiting guidance based on 1 April COVID rule changes
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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: Reduced visit schedule and testing for visitors aged 12 and over.
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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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Updated social visits booking line opening times.
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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 update
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Updated visit info
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Updated visits info
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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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Returned to previous version - update not required until 17/08/20
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Updated covid visit times
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First published.