Woodhill Prison
Woodhill is a men’s high security prison and young offender institution (YOI) in Milton Keynes.
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Book and plan your visit to Woodhill
To visit someone in Woodhill you must:
- be on that person’s visitor list
- book your visit in advance
- have the required ID with you when you go
A maximum of 3 people aged 18 or older can visit at one time, plus children. At least one visitor must be 18 or older at every visit.
Residents can have one weekend visit and 2 weekday visits a month plus additional visits depending on their privilege level.
Call the visits booking line on 01908 722 329 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 Woodhill prison
- Somewhere to stay overnight
- Meals
How to book family and friends visits
The visits booking number is 01908 722 329.
Opening times for the visit booking line are:
- Monday to Friday: 8am to 11.30am and 1pm to 3.30pm (except Bank Holidays).
How to book legal and professional visits
Prison to Court Video Links (PCVLs)
You can only book by email: Custody.woodhill@justice.gov.uk this inbox is monitored Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm
Legal/official visits
(Face to face)
- Thursday: 9am to 10:30am
Book by email: Legalvisits.woodhill@justice.gov.uk
Legal/official visits
(Video)
- Monday to Friday: 9am to 11am and 2pm to 4pm
You can only book by email: Custody.woodhill@justice.gov.uk
Keep in touch with someone at Woodhill
There are several ways you can keep in touch with a prisoner during their time at Woodhill.
Phone calls
Prisoners have phones in their cells which they can use at set times:
- 6am to 8am
- 9am to 1pm
- 2pm to 11pm
The phones do not accept incoming calls so prisoners 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.
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.
You can send emails to someone in Woodhill 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 Woodhill.
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 Woodhill.
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
It’s not possible to send items or property to prisoners. You can send prisoners money instead which they can use to buy items through a catalogue system.
Family and friends of prisoners are permitted to send books directly to their 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.
Life at Woodhill
Woodhill is committed to providing a safe and educational environment where prisoners convicted of serious offences can make positive use of long sentences.
Security and safeguarding
Every prisoner at Woodhill 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 Woodhill, 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 who arrives at Woodhill gets an induction that lasts 5 days. 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 800 prisoners are housed Woodhill in a mixture of single and shared cells. All cells have phones for outgoing calls.
Education and work
Prisoners have access to a broad programme of learning opportunities designed around their employment goals. Subjects include:
- English
- maths
- painting and decorating
- multi-skills
- catering
- music technology
Work is available throughout the prison, along with the chance to study and earn professional qualifications. Areas include:
- contract workshop
- laundry
- waste management
- garden party
- market garden
- kitchens
Prisoners can also take up mentoring positions to assist others with their learning.
Temporary release
Prisoners may qualify for release on temporary licence. This can be used to gain work experience in the local community and prepare for release. Prisoners can apply for this within the prison.
Support for family and friends
Find out about advice and helplines for family and friends.
The PACT team provides a range of information, guidance and support to families and friends of prisoners. More information is available on the PACT website.
You can also get help from the Woodhill chaplaincy team when you need to have a difficult conversation or give bad news to a prisoner. Contact Woodhill and ask to speak to chaplaincy.
Concerns, problems and complaints
In an emergency
Call 01908 722 000 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 | 01908 722 152 | 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 Woodhill.
Independent inspections
HM Prison and Probation Service publishes action plans for Woodhill in response to independent inspections.
Contact Woodhill
Governor: Nicola Marfleet
Telephone: 01908 722 000
Fax: 01908 722 320
Find out about call charges
Address
HMP/YOI Woodhill
Tattenhoe Street
Milton Keynes
Buckinghamshire
MK4 4DA
Safer custody hotline
If you have concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a prisoner in Woodhill, call the urgent concern line to speak to the safer custody team. Out of hours, your call will be forwarded to the control room where you can ask to speak to the orderly officer.
Telephone: 01908 722 152
Find out about call charges
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Updates to this page
Last updated 2 August 2022 + show all updates
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Secure video calls 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 temporarily suspended
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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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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 times and visiting procedure changes in line with coronavirus restrictions.
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Added confirmation of secure video calls made available at this prison.
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First published.