Prescoed Prison
Prescoed is a men’s open prison and young offender institution (YOI) in the village of Coed-y-Paen, South Wales. It is managed jointly with Usk Prison.
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Book and plan your visit to Prescoed
To visit someone in Prescoed you must:
- be on that person’s visitor list
- have an appointment to visit
- have the required ID with you when you go
At least one visitor must be 18 or older at every visit.
Contact Prescoed 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 Prescoed
- somewhere to stay overnight
- meals
How to book family and friends visits
Prescoed is currently operating a limited visits schedule for family and friends. You can book your visit by telephone but the person you wish to come and visits can also book direct in the prison. There is no online booking service available.
Booking line: 01291 675131
Booking line opening times:
- Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 09:00-12:00 and 14:00-16:00
- Wednesday 14-00 – 16:00
- Friday 09:00-12:00
Visiting Times:
- Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday: 2pm to 4pm
How to book legal and professional visits
Legal visits must be booked by telephone.
Booking line: 01291 675 131
Find out about call charges
The booking line is open Monday to Friday, 5pm to 7pm.
Getting to Prescoed
Prescoed is about 5 miles from Pontypool, New Inn and Cwmbran stations. There are no local bus services so you will need to take a taxi from the station to Prescoed.
To plan your journey by public transport, use National Rail Enquiries.
There is a visitors car park, including spaces for Blue Badge holders.
Entering Prescoed
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.
Visitors should dress appropriately. You may be turned away if you are wearing items like revealing clothing or clothing with offensive slogans. Ask at the visitors centre if you have questions about appropriate dress.
Each adult visitor is allowed to take in a maximum of £20 which can be used to buy food and drink from the coffee shop in the visiting hall.
There are strict controls on what you can take into Prescoed. 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 run by the Invisible Walls services. Family and friends can relax and get advice and support from the staff.
The centre opens at 1:15pm on visiting days.
Telephone: 01291 675 056
Find out about call charges
Family days
HMP Prescoed run 8 family days throughout the year that are held in school holiday times. Dates are published internally for the prisoners at Prescoed to apply and book.
Keep in touch with someone at Prescoed
There are several ways you can keep in touch with a prisoner during their time at Prescoed.
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
You can request a secure video call with someone in this prison via the Prison Video app.
You will receive a notification when your request has been accepted.
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 from 6am to 11:55pm, daily. 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 Prescoed 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 Prescoed.
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 Prescoed.
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 also send postal orders and cheques. These should be made payable to ‘NOMS Agency’ and include the person’s name and prisoner number on the back.
Gifts and parcels
Prescoed does not normally accept items sent to prisoners by post. Prisoners can apply for permission under special circumstances.
You can send prisoners money instead which they can use to buy items through a catalogue system.
Contact Prescoed for more information.
Life at Prescoed
Prescoed 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 Prescoed 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 Prescoed, 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 Prescoed gets an induction that lasts about a week. They will be given talks by some of the governors and 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 230 prisoners live at Prescoed, across 11 accommodation blocks. There are a mixture of single and shared cells. There are dining facilities, a library and a barber shop.
Prisoners have access to a gym and sports hall and can take part in a varied programme of activities.
Prescoed also has a diverse, multi-faith chaplaincy team providing support to prisoners.
Education and work
Prisoners have access to a broad programme of learning opportunities, ranging from basic skills, such as English, Welsh and maths, to higher learning and qualifications. The programme also includes training in a variety of trades and professions, including:
- health and safety
- food safety
- computing skills
- drug awareness
- bricklaying
- barbering
Most work at Prescoed is provided by the local Cilwrgi Farm, where prisoners perform a variety of roles and gain professional experience and qualifications.
Prisoners can also take courses in recycling and waste management at the waste management unit.
Temporary release
Prisoners may be considered for temporary release with the proper checks and planning. Day release and overnight release can be granted to help prisoners maintain family and community ties and prepare for leaving prison.
Support for family and friends
Find out about advice and helplines for family and friends.
To contact our reducing reoffending team please email resettlement.usk@justice.co.uk.
Support at Prescoed
Family services at Prescoed are provided by G4S.
Concerns, problems and complaints
In an emergency
Call 01291 675026 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 | 01291671703 | 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 Prescoed.
Inspection reports
HM Prison and Probation Service publishes action plans for Prescoed in response to independent inspections.
Contact Prescoed
Governor: Rob Denman
Telephone (24 hours): 01291 675 000
Fax: 01291 675 158
Find out about call charges
Address
HMP Prescoed
Coed-y-Paen
Pontypool
Monmouthshire
NP4 0TB
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Updates to this page
Last updated 1 February 2024 + show all updates
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Updated family days, visiting facilities, concerns problems and complaints.
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Added translation
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Updated Governor
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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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Added link to information about testing for physical contact at visits.
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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.
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Updated visting information for family and friends
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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: HMP Prescoed visiting times and visiting procedure changes during coronavirus.
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Added confirmation of secure video calls being made available at this prison.
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added survey link
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Visit information update
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First published.