Swansea Prison
Swansea Prison is a men’s prison in the centre of Swansea, Wales.
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Book and plan your visit to Swansea prison
To visit someone in Swansea Prison 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
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 Swansea Prison.
Contact Swansea Prison 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 Swansea Prison
- somewhere to stay overnight
- meals
How to book family and friends visits
You can book your visit online.
You can book your visit by telephone or by email.
Email: socvisswansea@justice.gov.uk
Booking line: 01792 485 322
The booking line is open Monday to Friday, 8:45am to 11:45am and 1pm to 3:45pm
Find out about call charges
Alternatively you can email: socvisswansea@justice.gov.uk.
Visiting times:
- Monday: 2pm to 3pm and 3:30pm to 4:30pm
- Tuesday: 2pm to 3pm and 3:30pm to 4:30pm
- Wednesday: 2pm to 3pm and 3:30pm to 4:30pm
- Thursday: 2pm to 3pm and 3:30pm to 4:30pm
- Saturday: 2pm to 3pm and 3:30pm to 4:30pm
- Sunday: 2pm to 3pm and 3:30pm to 4:30pm
Visitors to arrive no later than 1:15pm for the 2pm session; no later than 2:30pm for the 3:30pm session
We also offer 30 minute prison video sessions:
- Monday: 6:10pm - A wing, 6:50pm - G Wing
- Tuesday: 6:10pm and 6:50pm - D and F wing
- Wednesday: 6:10pm - B wing, 6:50pm - C wing
- Thursday: 6:10pm - A wing, 6:50pm D and F wing
- Saturday: 2pm - G wing, 2:45pm and 3:30pm D and F wing
- Sunday: 2pm - D wing, 2:45pm A wing and 3:30pm G wing
How to book legal and professional visits
Legal visit times:
- Monday to Friday: 8:30am to 9:15am, 9:30am to 10:15am and 10:30am to 11:15am
Social visits are hour sessions:
- Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday: 2pm to 3pm and 3:30pm to 4:30pm.
Visit requests for legal visits & social visits can be made through the functional inbox of socvisswansea@justice.gov.uk or through 01792 485322
Visits Booking is open 8:45am to 11:45am and 1pm to 3:45pm Monday to Friday.
Getting to Swansea Prison
HMP Swansea is located on Oystermouth Road. Just 1 mile from the train and a short walk from the bus station.
There is a pay and display car park directly opposite the prison “Paxton St car park”. Please use the route finder for directions to SA1 3SR.
For any further enquiries please email socvisswansea@justice.gov.uk.
To plan your journey by public transport:
There is no visitor parking at the prison but visitors can use the pay-and-display Paxton Street car park just opposite.
Entering Swansea 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.
All visitors will be given a level B rub down search, including children.
You may also be subject to an inspection by our security dogs.
Visitors must adhere to the prison dress code – appropriate and family friendly.
There are strict controls on what you can take into HMP Swansea. You will have to leave most of the things in a locker at the visitors’ centre or in your car - this includes pushchairs and car seats.
Call the booking line if you have any questions about visiting.
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 Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT) charity.
Telephone: 01792 485 300
Find out about call charges
Family days
HMP Swansea run 12 family visits a year. Details on how these visits run can be found by emailing: socvisswansea@justice.gov.uk.
Keep in touch with someone at Swansea Prison
There are several ways you can keep in touch with a prisoner during their time at Swansea Prison.
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 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 Swansea Prison 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 Swansea Prison.
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 Swansea Prison.
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.
Gifts and parcels
Prisoners may be allowed to receive parcels from loved ones.
Ask in the visitors centre for information on property processes at Swansea Prison.
Life at Swansea Prison
Swansea 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 Swansea Prison has a right to feel safe. The staff are responsible for their safeguarding and welfare at all times.
Prisoners can also be trained by the Samaritans to be ‘listeners’ to help support people going through difficult times.
Arrival and first night
When a prisoner first arrives at Swansea 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.
Induction
Each prisoner that arrives at Swansea Prison gets an induction that lasts about a week. 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 500 prisoners live at Swansea Prison across 6 units.
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.
Employment is available in prison workshops, kitchens and recycling units.
Support for family and friends
Find out about advice and helplines for family and friends.
Support at Swansea Prison
The Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT) team provides a range of information, guidance and support to families and friends of prisoners. You can call or ask in the visitors centre to speak to someone.
Concerns, problems and complaints
In an emergency
Call 01792 4853 00 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 | 01792 485 364 | 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 contact Swansea Prison. If you cannot resolve the problem directly, you can make a complaint to HM Prison and Probation Service.
Inspection reports
HM Prison and Probation Service publishes action plans for Swansea Prison in response to independent inspections.
Contact Swansea Prison
Governor: Chris Simpson
Telephone: 01792 485 300
Fax: 01792 485 430
Find out about call charges
Follow Swansea Prison on Twitter/X
Address
HMP Swansea
200 Oystermouth Road
Swansea
SA1 3SR
Help us to improve this page. Give us your feedback in this 2-minutes survey.
Helpwch ni i wella’r dudalen hon. Rhowch eich adborth i ni yn yr arolwg 2 funud hwn.
Updates to this page
Last updated 13 March 2024 + show all updates
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Updated Governor to Chris Simpson.
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Added translation
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Updated visiting information
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Updated visiting guidance based on 1 April COVID rule changes
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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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Updated visiting information in line with coronavirus restrictions.
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Updated visiting information.
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Updated visiting information in line with new coronavirus rules in Wales.
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Updated visiting information in line with coronavirus restrictions.
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Updated covid legal visit times
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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.