The Verne Prison
The Verne is a prison on the Isle of Portland, Dorset, for men convicted of a sex offence.
Applies to England and Wales
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Book and plan your visit to The Verne
To visit someone in The Verne you must:
- be on that person’s visitor list
- book your visit 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 The Verne.
Contact The Verne 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 The Verne
- somewhere to stay overnight
- meals
How to book family and friends visits
You can book your visit online.
Visits enquiry line (enquiries about booked visits only): 01305 825 014
The query line is open Monday to Friday, 2pm to 4pm (closes at 3:30pm on Friday)
Only visitors who appear on a prisoner’s approved contact list on will be eligible to book a visit.
Visiting times:
- Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday: 2pm to 4pm
How to book legal and professional visits
LegalVisits.TheVerne@Justice.Gov.uk
Visiting times:
- Tuesday: 9am to 1pm
Getting to The Verne
The closest railway station is Weymouth. From there, you can take a bus to the Isle of Portland, stopping at the bottom of Verne Common Road. The prison is signposted from the end of the road and is approximately a 20minute walk. There is also a taxi rank at the station. A taxi will cost approximately £15 one way.
By Car: Enter postcode DT5 1EQ into a sat nav to find the establishment. There is a visitor’s car park adjacent to the prison at the top of the hill.
To plan your journey by public transport:
- use National Rail enquiries
- use Traveline for bus timetables
Verne has a visitors car park, including several spaces for Blue Badge holders.
Entering The Verne
All visitors over 18 must bring the required ID.
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 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 The Verne. You will have to leave most of the things you have with you in a locker or in your car - this includes pushchairs and car seats
- Call the booking line if you have any questions about visiting
Keep in touch with someone at The Verne
There are several ways you can keep in touch with a prisoner during their time at The Verne.
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 rooms 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 The Verne 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 The Verne.
Letters
Include the person’s name and prisoner number on the envelope.
If you do not know their prisoner number, contact The Verne.
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 can hand in books and legal documents for prisoners before a visit.
Other items may be accepted by post but you must write to the governor for permission beforehand. If you don’t do this, your parcel will be returned.
Make sure to include the person’s name and prisoner number on the parcel.
Books may be sent directly to loved ones, or can be ordered 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.
Family Days
HMP The Verne run several family visits a year, these are 4 hour visits which run from 10.00am-2.00pm. The dates for the current 2024 family days are:
- Wednesday 21 July (10am to 2pm): Adults Only Visit
- Wednesday 14 August (10am to 2pm): Children’s Visit
- Wednesday 24 November (10am to 2pm): Adults Only Visit
- Wednesday 18 December (10am to2pm) – Children’s Visit
Life at The Verne
The Verne 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 The Verne 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 The Verne, 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 The Verne 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
Nearly 600 prisoners live at The Verne across 6 units. Each unit has its own common room and dining area. Prisoners have keys to their own cells.
Prisoners have access to a library, operated by Dorset County Council, which includes books in multiple languages and a variety of magazines and newspapers.
There is also a well-equipped gym, fitness and sports programme.
Education and work
The Verne operates a full education programme provided by Weston College, with links to the Open University for distance learning courses.
There is also a wide range of work opportunities for prisoners throughout the prison, such as in the kitchens, gardens, recycling centre and barbers. Prisoners can work as wing assistants, wing peer support workers and orderlies. There are also roles within The Verne’s woodmill, assembling furniture, and in The Verne’s 4 contract workshops which cover:
- creating breakfast packs for other prisons
- repairing televisions
- creating leather goods for use in prisons.
Support at The Verne
Family services at The Verne are provided by PACT.
Support for family and friends
Find out about advice and helplines for family and friends.
Concerns, problems and complaints
In an emergency
Call 01305 825056 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 | 01305 825005 | 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, write to The Verne and address your letter to the complaints coordinator within the Business Hub.
Contact The Verne
Governor: David Bourne
Telephone: 01305 825 000
Find out about call charges
Address
HMP The Verne
Verne Common Road
Portland
Dorset
DT5 1EQ
Families and significant others lead
To contact the Families and significant others lead for Verne prison email: Activities.TheVerne@justice.gov.uk.
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Updates to this page
Published 21 April 2020Last updated 10 June 2022 + show all updates
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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: 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 information
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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 in line with coronavirus restrictions
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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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Added confirmation of secure video calls being made available at this prison.
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Added survey link
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First published.