Swinfen Hall Prison
Swinfen Hall is a closed young offender institute (YOI), category C training prison, specialising in supporting young adults (18-25).
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Book and plan your visit to Swinfen Hall
To visit someone in Swinfen Hall you must:
- be on that prisoners visitor list
- book your visit at least one working day 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 Swinfen Hall.
Contact Swinfen Hall 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 Swinfen Hall
- somewhere to stay overnight
- meals
How to book family and friends visits
You can book your visit online, by email to visitsbooking.westmidlands@justice.gov.uk or by telephone.
Telephone booking line: 01543 484 000
Find out about call charges
The booking line is open:
- Monday, Wednesday and Friday: midday to 5pm
- Tuesday and Thursday: 9am to 5pm
Visiting times:
- Tuesday: 2pm to 3:45pm
- Wednesday: 2pm to 3:45pm
- Thursday: 2pm to 3:45pm on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month only
- Saturday: 2pm to 3:45pm
- Sunday: 2pm to 3:45pm
Visits on Thursdays will be facilitated on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month only.
If it is your first visit, please ensure you arrived at 1:30pm to allow time for processing you on the system.
The T – Bar is available in the visits hall, this is a cash only service, a maximum of £30 is allowed into the visits hall and this needs to be in pound coins. There is no facility to change notes at the establishment.
How to book legal and professional visits
Legal visits must be booked by telephone.
Booking line: 0300 060 6507
Find out about call charges
Legal visiting times:
- Tuesday to Thursday: 9:15am to 10:15am and 10:30am to 11:30am
Getting to Swinfen Hall
The closest railway station is Lichfield, which is about 3 miles from Swinfen. There is no local bus service so you will need to take a taxi from the station.
Use National Rail Enquiries to plan your journey.
There is a visitors car park in front of the prison, including space for Blue Badge holders.
Entering Swinfen Hall
You will need your visiting order number, which you will receive by email with your booking confirmation.
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.
Each adult visitor is allowed to take in a maximum of £10 in coins (notes are not allowed). The money can be used to buy food and drink from the vending machine in the visiting hall.
There are strict controls on what you can take into Swinfen Hall. You will have to leave most of the things you have with you in a locker (you will need a £1 coin) 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 Pact.
Family days
Family Days are run by The Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT). Family Days are extended visits for all families of the prisoners at Swinfen Hall.
For more information please contact the Family Engagement Manager at HMP/ YOI Swinfen Hall via 01543 484 000 (Switchboard).
Keep in touch with someone at Swinfen Hall
There are several ways you can keep in touch with a prisoner during their time at Swinfen Hall.
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 Swinfen Hall 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 Swinfen Hall.
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.
Letters
You can write at any time.
Include the prisoners name and prisoner number on the envelope.
If you do not know their prisoner number, contact Swinfen Hall.
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
Prisoners in Swinfen Hall are given a list of approved items that can be sent to them as gifts. Contact Swinfen Hall for more information on what’s allowed.
Make sure to include the prisoners name and prisoner number on the parcel.
You are are permitted to send books directly to 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.
All parcels will be opened and checked by officers.
Life at Swinfen Hall
Swinfen Hall will provide a safe, decent and respectful environment that will support our young adults on their journey of personal growth.
As a team we will work together to enhance our knowledge and skills, so that we become role models who enable our young adults to achieve a positive future.
Security and safeguarding
Every prisoner at Swinfen Hall 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 Swinfen Hall, 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 Swinfen Hall 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 600 prisoners live at Swinfen Hall across 9 wings, most get their own cell.
Education and work
Prisoners have access to a broad programme of classes, training and work.
Support for family and friends
Find out about advice and helplines for family and friends.
Family and Significant Others Head of Function is: Governor Steve Bialy, Head of Reducing Reoffending.
Telephone: 01543 484 000 24 hour switchboard
Support at Swinfen Hall
The prison advice and care trust (PACT) offers help and informal support to families and friends of prisoners at Swinfen Hall.
The visit centre is run by The Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT) Prison Advice and Care Trust.
Please click this link https://www.prisonadvice.org.uk/prison-visitors-guides to find more information about Swinfen Hall.
Concerns, problems and complaints
In an emergency
Call 01543 484 000 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 | 01543 484258 | 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 Swinfen Hall.
Inspection reports
HM Prison and Probation Service publishes action plans for Swinfen Hall in response to independent inspections.
Contact Swinfen Hall
Governor: Laura Whitehurst
Email: managementco-ordinatorhmpyoiswinfen@justice.gov.uk
Telephone: 01543 484 000
24 hour switchboard
Fax: 01543 484 001
Follow Swinfen Hall on Twitter/X
Address
HMP/YOI Swinfen Hall
Swinfen Hall
Lichfield
Staffordshire
WS14 9QS
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Updates to this page
Published 19 May 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 safer custody contact number.
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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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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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Updated visits booking phone number
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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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Visits update
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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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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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First published.