Winchester Prison
Winchester is a men’s prison and young offender institution (YOI) in the centre of Winchester, Hampshire.
Applies to England and Wales
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Book and plan your visit to Winchester
To visit someone in Winchester you must:
- be on that person’s visitor list
- book your visit in advance of 72 hours
- have the required ID with you when you go
At least one visitor must be 18 or older at every visit.
Contact Winchester 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 Winchester
- somewhere to stay overnight
-
meals
- You can pick up a leaflet from the visitor’s centre and the form you need to claim.
How to book family and friends visits
Your first visit must be booked via the booking line so all details can be verified, after this you can book your visit online or by telephone.
You can book your visit online or by telephone.
You can send urgent enquires and cancellations only, to our social visits email address: socialvisits.winchester@justice.gov.uk.
Telephone booking line: 0345 223 5514
Booking line opening times: Monday to Friday 9am to 12pm and 1:30pm to 4pm (except public holidays)
Find out about call charges
Visiting times:
- Tuesday to Thursday: 2:30pm to 4pm
- Saturday and Sunday: 2:15pm to 4:15pm
There are no visits on Christmas Day, Good Friday or Easter Sunday.
Prisoners will only be allowed one visit per weekend unless on accumulated visits.
How to book legal and professional visits
You can book video link visits by email to videolinkwinchester@justice.gov.uk or you can book a face-to-face legal visit by email to legalvisits.winchester@justice.gov.uk
Video link time slots:
- Monday to Friday: 8:15am to 11:45am (3 x1 hour slots)
- Afternoons: 1:45pm to 2:45pm, 3pm to 3:45pm and 4pm to 4:45pm
Face to face visiting times:
- Police: Monday to Friday: 8:15am to 11:45am ( 3x 1 hour slots)
- Afternoon any legal visitor: 1:45pm to 2:45pm, 3pm to 3:45pm, 4pm to 4:45pm
Getting to Winchester
Find Winchester Prison on a map
Winchester Prison is about half a mile from Winchester railway station. It is opposite the Royal Hampshire County Hospital. There are regular buses from the station or you can take a taxi.
To plan your journey by public transport:
There is only parking for blue badge holders at the prison which is very limited, we do not offer any other parking on site so If you come by car, you will need to park in one of the city centre car parks or use the Park & Ride. Buses run every 15 minutes and stop almost outside the prison. Please note there is no park & ride bus service on Sundays or public/bank holidays – Please check with the service provider.
Contact Winchester if you have access needs and would like to discuss your visit.
Entering Winchester
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 children visiting will also need ID. Either a passport or birth/adoption certificate will be accepted. For children under 3 their NHS ‘Red Book’ can also be accepted.
Exceptional Circumstances
If you do not have access to the above listed ID you may still be able to attend a visit with advanced permission from the prison. Please contact the prison directly to arrange this via socialvisits.winchester@justice.gov.uk.
All visitors have to pass through the enhanced gate process when entering for visits, this will include any items going into the visits hall passing through an X-ray machine so no liquids including baby’s bottles made up are allowed, you can however bring powdered milk and make the bottle in the visits hall if required, you will also pass through a metal detector before being given a rub-down search, including children. You may also be sniffed by security dogs.
All visitors to HMP Winchester must adhere to a strict dress code.
Staff working in visits recognise the diversity of cultures and religions of all visitors, therefore a sensitive approach will be adopted when this affects dress and appearance.
It is up to prison staff to make decisions and judgements as to when clothing is inappropriate. When making these decisions, staff will always consider decency and diversity.
You may be asked to adjust clothing or wear alternative clothing if available. As a last resort your visit may be cancelled if the dress code cannot be followed.
The following items of clothing should not be worn regardless of age or gender:
- hats, scarves or head coverings which are not worn on religious grounds
- jackets, coats, hoodies, or gloves
- inappropriately damaged clothing
- steel toe capped shoes/boots or cycle/motorcycle shoes
- non-prescription glasses i.e. sunglasses
- see-through or revealing clothing
- ripped Jeans
- items of clothing that display offensive abusive words or gestures
- sports teams attire including logos and tributes
- mini or very short skirts/dresses unless worn with leggings
- shorts which are shorter than mid-thigh to knee length
- visible or exposed underwear
- smart watches
- excessive jewellery and accessories should be avoided
- low cut tops or tops showing off mid-riff when both sitting or standing
- wearing more than one pair of trousers
There are strict controls on what you can take into the visits hall at Winchester. You will have to leave all your belongings in a locker which will be provided.
We also have provision for visitors to leave pushchairs in a safe area that is under cover.
Visiting facilities
The visitor centre is open for all visits from 1pm onwards. There are baby changing facilities, a children’s playroom, refreshments and toilet facilities. You can also access to information and resources about national and local support services if required.
There are high chairs and baby bouncers available to be used during visits.
The charity Spurgeons runs the visitor hall and childrens’ play area at Winchester.
There is a tea bar available for all visits where you can purchase a variety of drinks and snacks. There is no cash allowed in the visits hall. Visitors wishing to make a purchase will need to collect a visitor card from the visitors centre upon arrival. This can be loaded with money using notes or coins via the kiosk in the visitors centre. The machine does not accept copper coins or 5p pieces.
Cards once loaded with money cannot be refunded however can be shared amongst relatives and friends. There is a maximum spend of £50 per visit.
Toilet and baby changing facilities can be found in the external Visitors Centre. There are no toilet facilities or baby changing facilities within the visits hall itself.
Family days
Spurgeons run a family support service, ‘Invisible Walls’ at HMP Winchester.
This includes the following:
- family days, baby visits, and homework club
- signposting to internal & external agencies
- storybook Dads
- self-Study packs
- one-to-one support when multiple agencies are involved with the family’s care
In addition to the above the following is available to those in the resettlement hub
- parenting courses and workshops
- resettlement meetings where suitable
All of the above is accessed by the prisoners themselves. Families can refer fathers to our service by contacting invisiblewalls@spurgeons.org with their full name and prisoner number if known.
Keep in touch with someone at Winchester
There are several ways you can keep in touch with a prisoner during their time at Winchester.
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 Winchester prison can only be requested by prisoners.
You will receive a notification if a prisoner has requested a video call with you.
Phone calls
Prisoners have in cell phones which they can use at any time if they have pin credit. Pin credit can only be purchased once a week through the prison canteen system.
All prisoners need to complete a pin phone application to apply for numbers. After the number(s) have been authorised, which can take up to 10 days, prisoners will only be able to call these numbers.
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 Winchester using the Email a Prisoner service.
There is not a limit on how many emails you can send, to receive a reply to an email, you must choose the options which requires a small fee which the sender is liable to pay for.
Letters
You can send letters to a prisoner.
Prisoners can send two free letters a week. Any additional letters they would like to send will need a postage stamp.
All letters must include the person’s name and prisoner number on the envelope.
All post, apart from legal letters, will be opened and checked.
Send money
You can use the free and fast service to send money to a prisoner.
www.gov.uk/send-prisoner-money
You will need:
- Prisoner number
- Date of birth
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 be looked into on an individual basis by the prison.
Gifts
Contact Winchester for information on sending property to prisoners.
Prisoners who come to us from the courts are allowed to receive a clothing parcel in their first 28 days of being here, if a prisoner is transferred to us from another prison, they are not entitled to a clothing parcel.
All parcels must have the senders name and address clearly written on the parcel and have the prisoners name and number on it.
What they are allowed:
- No black or white clothing
- No hoods/offensive/padded/military/sports teams/countries
- No hats, only religious head ware is allowed
- 10 tops (sweatshirts/T-shirts)
- 5 bottoms (trousers, tracksuit bottoms)
- 1 dressing gown no hood
- 2 Towels
- 10 pairs of boxers and socks
- 1 pair of trainers
- 1 pair of flip flops/sliders
Life at Winchester
Winchester Prison is committed to providing a safe and engaging environment where prisoners can learn new skills to help them on release.
The prison aims to provide a service to prisoners that is caring, kind and compassionate, allowing them to feel valued members of the prison community.
Security and safeguarding
Every prisoner at Winchester has a right to feel safe. The staff are responsible for their safeguarding and welfare at all times.
Arrival and first night
When a prisoner first arrives at Winchester, they will be able to contact a family member by phone or a welfare call will be provided on their behalf if they fall under the PPU (public protection) laws. This could be quite late in the evening, depending on the time of their arrival.
During the reception process each prisoner will be asked multiple questions which will allow the officers to help make their first night as safe as possible for everyone.
Induction
Each prisoner who arrives at Winchester gets a first night induction, this induction includes filling out any relevant paperwork and staff will answer any questions they have which will allow us to support them while they’re here.
After their first night all prisoners will have a second stage induction, this induction is conducted by prisoners and they go through everything they will need to know while they are here at Winchester.
During this process they will meet with professionals who will help them with the following:
- 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
- Spurgeons, a charity who run a Family Support Service, supporting fathers in custody
Accommodation
Around 690 prisoners are housed at Winchester. The main prison is split into four wings. Double and single cells are available on each wing.
Education and work
Prisoners have access to education provided by Milton Keynes College, who offer a variety of course where prisoners can gain qualifications.
Work is available throughout the prison in areas such as recycling, light assembly, textiles, catering and IT. Prisoners can also work on the wings as cleaners, helping to serve meals and as painters.
Temporary release
Release on temporary licence (ROTL) may be offered in certain circumstances.
Organisations Winchester works with
Winchester works with Ingeus, to help prisoners prepare for their release. They provide support with things like housing, employment, finance and relationships.
There are opportunities for prisoners to take part in Saints 4 Sport. The programme uses sport to help participants put routine and purpose back into their lives.
Concerns, problems and complaints
In an emergency
Call 01962 723 000 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 | 01962 723 320 | 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 complaint about visits you can contact visitswinchester@justice.gov.uk
For all other complaints, please write to the Governor at the address below.
Independent inspections
HM Prison and Probation Service publishes action plans for Winchester in response to independent inspections.
Contact Winchester
Governor: James Bourke
Main switchboard: 01962 723 000
Community mental health team: 01962 723 000
Fax: 01962 723 001 (main office) or 01962 723 108 (Westhill unit)
Find out about call charges
Address
HMP/YOI Winchester
Romsey Road
Winchester
SO22 5DF
Help us to improve this page. Give us your feedback in this 2 minute survey
Updates to this page
Published 5 May 2020Last updated 10 October 2024 + show all updates
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Updated information on how to book your first visit, visiting facilities information and dress code.
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Secure video calling update.
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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: Visits have been suspended.
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Updated visiting information: Testing for visitors aged 12 and over.
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Updated physical contact guidance
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Updated the booking line 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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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 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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First published.