Send Prison
Send is a women’s prison in Woking, Surrey.
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Book and plan your visit to Send
If you are unable to visit someone in prison you can still keep in touch.
You can also contact the Prisoners’ Families Helpline on 0808 808 2003. You will not be able to book a visit using this number.
To visit someone in Send you must:
- be on that person’s visitor list
- book your visit at least 2 working days in advance
- have the required ID with you when you attend.
At least one visitor must be 18 or older at every visit.
There may be a limit to the number of visits a person can have. You can check this with Send.
Contact Send if you have any questions about visiting.
Help with the cost of your visit
If you claim certain benefits or have an NHS health certificate, you might be able to get help with the costs of your visit, including:
- Travel to Send
- Somewhere to stay overnight
- Meals/Snacks
How to book family and friends visits
You can book your visit online.
If you have been sent a visiting order, you can also book by telephone.
Booking line: 0300 060 6514
The booking line is open Monday to Friday: 9am to 4pm.
Find out about call charges
Visiting times:
- Tuesday: 2pm to 4pm
- Saturday: 2pm to 4pm
- Sunday: 2pm to 4pm
Legal and professional visits
Legal visits are every Monday 9am to 11am.
Getting to Send
By Car
If driving to the prison from the M25, leave at Junction 10 take the A3 towards Guildford. After one mile take the B2215 signposted Ockham.
Take 1st exit from Roundabout and continue for 1/2 mile. On a sharp bend turn right into Guileshill lane.
At T-Junction turn right and immediately left into Hungry Hill Lane, this becomes Ripley Road, once you see the Perimeter Fence on your left the Prison entrance is approx. 1/4 mile.
From Guildford take the A3 towards London. Turn off at the Burnt Common Junction, the B2215 to Ripley. At first roundabout take the third exit, A247 passing the Garage on your left. After crossing the A3 turn left as though to re-join the A3 towards Guildford (signposted HMP Send), keeping to the outside lane turn right off the slip road onto Tithebarns Lane (signposted HMP). At the T-Junction turn right onto Ripley Road, the Prison entrance is approx. 1/4 mile.
From Woking take the A320 towards Guildford, at 1st roundabout take 1st exit towards Old Woking, which is Wych Hill. Turn left at roundabout into High Street, at next roundabout take the right-hand junction, the A247 to Send. At next roundabout take 2nd exit (straight over), A247 towards Clandon passing the Garage on your left. After crossing the A3 turn left as though to join the A3 towards Guildford (signposted HMP Send), keeping to the outside lane turn right off the slip road onto Tithebarns Lane (signposted HMP). At the T-Junction turn right into Ripley Road, the perimeter fence is on your left and the Prison entrance is approx. 1/4 mile.
From Dorking take A25 towards Guildford.
Cross the A246 and join the A247, after 2 miles turn right as though to join the A3 towards Guildford (signposted HMP Send), keeping to the outside lane turn right off the slip road onto Tithebarns Lane (signposted HMP). At the T-Junction turn right into Ripley Road, the perimeter fence is on your left and the Prison entrance is approx. 1/4 mile.
Free car parking is available at the prison.
By train
The closest railway station is Clandon.
Trains also travel frequently from Woking station.
HMP Send runs a minibus service for Social Visits from Woking station and back again. You will need to be at Woking Station by 1pm and wait on the Marks and Spencer side of the station.
To plan your journey by public transport:
Entering Send
All visitors, aged 18 or older must prove their identity before entering the prison. All ID must be physical identification and cannot be photos/screenshots.
Read the list of acceptable forms of ID when visiting a prison.
All visitors will be given a rub-down search, including children. You will also be searched by security dogs.
HMP Send has a strict dress code policy, which means visitors should wear smart clothes (no revealing clothing, no vests, no low-cut tops, no ripped jeans , no shorts, no short dresses, no offensive slogans and no headwear, other than that worn for religious reasons).
There are strict rules on what you can take into HMP Send.
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.
The refreshment tea bar will be open during social visits. Visitors may bring a maximum of £20 per person in loose change. No notes are allowed into the prison.
Nappies and baby wipes are provided in the visits hall and must not be taken in.
You may take in a bottle of baby milk or an empty bottle that can be filled with water or juice once in the visits hall.
You will be told the rules by staff at the start of your visit. If you break the rules, the visit could be cancelled and you could be banned from visiting again.
Visiting facilities
The family-friendly visitors centre offers information and support for visitors.
There is a tea bar in the visitors centre which is open before Social Visits.
The centre is run by the Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT).
You can contact the centre on 01483 471 090 during social visit days.
Family days
Family days are held throughout the year and allow prisoners the chance to spend the day with their family and friends in the visits hall in a more relaxed atmosphere. Lunch is provided on this day and the free minibus service can be booked in advance too. There are fun activities to participate in on these days to make some memorable moments. There are currently 15 Extended Visit Days a year.
HMP Send promotes maintaining family ties for all prisoners.
Prisoners can apply for up to 3 Extended Visits sessions per year to The Head of Children and Significant Others.
Extended Visit Days 2024 :
- Wednesday 3 April: Extended Family Day
- Wednesday 10 April: TC/Pipe Family Day
- Thursday 11 April: Children’s Day
- Wednesday 29 May: Lifer Day
- Thursday 25 July: TC/Pipe Family Day
- Wednesday 7 August: Extended Family Day
- Wednesday 28 August: Lifer Day
- Thursday 29 August: Children’s Day
- Wednesday 11 September: Adult Day (Enhanced Only)
- Wednesday 30 October: Children’s Day
- Wednesday 18 December: Lifer Day
- Thursday 19 December: TC/Pipe Family Day
- Monday 23 December: Children’s Day
Keep in touch with someone at Send
There are several ways you can keep in touch with a prisoner during their time at HMP Send.
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 do have phones in their cells so they will always have to option to call you.
They must buy phone credits to do this.
Prisoners 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.
Be advised, staff may listen to phone calls.
You can send emails to someone at HMP Send using the Email a Prisoner service.
You will be able to attach photos and receive replies.
Letters
You can write to a prisoner at any time.
Include the prisoner’s name and prisoner number on the envelope.
You must also write your own name and address on the back of the envelope clearly.
All incoming and outgoing post, apart from legal letters, will be opened and checked by staff. Legal letters must be clearly labelled as such with the correct information required.
Send money and gifts
You can use the free and fast online service to send money to someone in prison.
Be advised, 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 must first apply to have any items posted in.
Only when approved should any items be sent.
Any items sent without prior approval will not be issued and sent back out at the prisoner’s expense.
Upon arriving at HMP Send, Prisoners have 28 days to have one clothing parcel sent in with the authorised items.
This will then be every 6 months following a rota.
Prisoners at HMP Send are also able to buy items from approved suppliers through a catalogue system or from our clothing shop, Senderellas.
Friends and families of prisoners are permitted to send books directly to the prison, 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.
All parcels will be opened and searched by staff & our search dogs prior to issuing.
Life at Send
HMP Send is committed to providing a safe and educational environment where prisoners can learn new skills and focus on their personal development.
Security and safeguarding
Every person at HMP Send 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.
All safeguarding processes are overseen by Surrey Safeguarding Adults Board.
Arrival and first night
When a prisoner first arrives at HMP Send, they will be able to contact a family member by phone in Reception.
They will also engage with staff who will check how they’re feeling and ask about any immediate health and wellbeing needs.
All prisoners will be checked every 4 hours during their initial 24 hours with us.
Induction
Each prisoner who arrives at Send gets an induction.
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 they must follow, fire safety, and how things like calls and visits work.
Accommodation
Prisoners have their own cell with a toilet and shower.
There is also one wing with double cells and communal showers/toilets.
Education and work
Education and training opportunities include:
- adult literacy and numeracy
- business administration
- hairdressing and beauty
- customer service
- horticulture
- professional catering
- gym instructor training
There are also opportunities for prisoners to take distance learning courses up to degree level.
Support for family and friends
Find out about advice and helplines for family and friends.
Support at Send
You can contact the Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT) for help and support.
Concerns, problems and complaints
In an emergency
Call 01483 471000 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 | 01483 471267 | 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 Send.
Inspection reports
HM Prison and Probation Service publishes action plans for Send in response to independent inspections.
Contact details
Governing Governor: Esther Dainton
Telephone: 01483 471 000
Find out about call charges
Address
HMP Send
Ripley Road
Woking
Surrey
GU23 7LJ
Help us to improve this page. Give us your feedback in this 2-minute survey.
Updates to this page
Published 30 January 2020Last updated 14 February 2024 + show all updates
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Opening hours updated for visits booking telephone line.
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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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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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Governor and contact details updated.
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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 visit info
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Updated visit info
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Updated vist info
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Updated visiting information in line with new national restrictions in England.
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updated train station info
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Updated visiting information in line with coronavirus restrictions.
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Updated information to include confirmation of secure video calls being available at this prison.
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updated survey link
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Prison visits update.
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First published.