Where has my family member gone?
From the Sussex Courts:
Men are usually sent to HMP Lewes
Women are usually sent to HMP Bronzefield
To find out the whereabouts of a person under 18 contact the Youth Justice Board 0345 3636363
If you cannot locate your family member, please contact Find a prisoner – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
How to complain
Please see our guide on how to complain about how you and your family member can complain about a prison if you feel you haven’t been treated fairly,
Worried about a prisoner?
If you are worried about a prisoner, call the safer custody hotline. There is a list of all the numbers here. If there is no reply, and you believe the prisoner to be in immediate danger, call the prison’s main number and ask to speak to the duty governor.
Contacting a Prisoner
Watch the video opposite or click on the button below to find out how to contact someone when they are sent to prison.
Contacting a Prisoner
How can I contact them?
You can’t phone them but a prisoner should be allowed to make one short phone call within 24 hours of arriving at prison. (Unless they are not allowed to for public protection reasons.) However, this depends on the prisoner knowing your number, as they will not be allowed their mobile phones.
During that phone call they should be able to give out their prisoner number and information about visits.
A ‘pin’ system is then set up with up to 20 personal and 5 legal numbers. This can take a while so do not worry if you don’t hear from your family member within the first week. This is normal.
Many prisons now have phones in their cells but if not, they will need to make calls from the landing at certain times of day.
Once you have their prisoner number, you can write as many letters as you like and send in photographs but these must not include pictures of the prisoner. You can also sign up to email a prisoner. Once the prisoner has their pin system set up they will be able to make calls during the day as long as they have enough phone credit. Prison voicemail allows you to leave the prisoner a message which they will be able to dial in and listen to and leave a reply.
HMP Lewes
Family Services at this prison are run by a charity called Pact. They will be able to deal with any specific questions about visiting the prison and they run a friendly visitors’ centre that you can visit before you go in to the prison. If you have any questions for PACT please contact them here lewes@prisonadvice.org.uk
Visiting:
Visitors can book visits online. All the details about visiting the prison are here
If you have any questions about visiting
Contact details:
HMP Lewes, 1 Brighton Road BN7 1EA 01273 581000
For a list of contacts within the prison click here
Sending in property
For details of how to send property into HMP Lewes, click here.
What happens when someone goes to prison?
Please note – these are general guidelines as some things can vary from prison to prison. There are specific guides for HMP Lewes and Bronzefield on this page
What happens when someone first goes to prison?
Prisoners go through the ‘reception’ process to ensure they have everything they need.
First of all, property will be logged, and prisoners will be allowed to keep some items. Anything they can’t keep should be stored and returned to them on release.
They will also be issued a prison number and should be allowed a shower.
What if they have health problems?
They will be interviewed by healthcare who will find out their physical and mental health needs and find out what medication they need. Healthcare will not normally discuss these issues with you as they are confidential but should be willing to receive information from you that might be helpful to the prisoner. Please contact us for help in doing this.
When will I hear from them?
They should also be allowed a short phone call within the first 24 hours in which they should give you details of how to visit and their prisoner number. Then there may be a delay in hearing from them as their phone PIN system is set up. As soon as you get their prison number you can write to them and also sign up for ‘email a prisoner’ which allows you to send and (in some prisons) receive emails.
How will they know how the prison works?
Over the next few days, they will receive information and advice from officers and specially trained prisoners who will tell them how the prison systems work such as how to book visits or how to sign up for education and work.
Where can I find out more?
Call one of our friendly outreach team who can talk this through with you on 01273 499843
Visiting, Sending in Clothes and Money
Y Please note – these are general guidelines as some things can vary from prison to prison. There are specific guides for HMP Lewes and Bronzefield on this page
Can I visit?
Yes most prisoners are allowed around visits a month as well as video visits (see below). Visiting procedures will vary from prison to prison so please contact us on 01273 499843 or look at the government website https://www.gov.uk/prison-visits See elsewhere on this website for information regarding Lewes.
Can I have video visits?
Yes- there is a new way of doing this called ‘Video Visits‘. This is replacing ‘Purple Visits’ but not all prisons have moved over to the new system (all pre-booked purple visit calls will be honoured)
1 – Download the app from Apple or Google Pay.
2 – Create your account.
3 – Add any additional participants.
4 – Add your contact (who you wish to have the call with).
5 – Once verified, you can book a video call .(the process will vary slightly from prison to prison)
Click here for more information
Can I send money in?
You can transfer by Visa, Maestro or Mastercard debit cards, bank transfer, mobile app or telephone banking. For detailed instructions, click here https://www.gov.uk/send-prisoner-money
Can I bring in clothes for the prisoner?
You cannot usually bring in clothes and property in to the prison. You can post in some items but the prisoner needs to put in ‘an app’ in the first instance detailing exactly what is being sent in. This must be completed and accepted before you send in any items.
If you need any further help, please contact one of our friendly outreach
workers on 01273 499843
HMP Bronzefield
How can I contact the prisoner?
You can’t phone, but a prisoner should be allowed to make one short phone call within 24 hours of arriving at prison. (Unless they are not allowed to for public protection reasons.) However, this depends on the prisoner knowing your number, as they will not be allowed their mobile phones.
During that phone call they should be able to give out their prisoner number, information about visits, and how to send in money.
A ‘pin’ system is then set up with their personal and legal phone numbers. This can take a while so do not worry if you do not hear from your family member within the first week. This is normal.
I am worried about a prisoner. What should I do?
If you have immediate concerns about the mental health of a prisoner, you should call the Family Connected voicemail on 01784 425794. This line is monitored seven days a week 8am to 5pm.
Can I visit?
Visits are now taking place at HMP Bronzefield but with some restrictions. Please click here for latest information
Can I have video visits?
Yes- there is a new way of doing this called ‘Video Visits‘. This is replacing ‘Purple Visits’ (all pre-booked purple visit calls will be honoured)
1 – Download the app from Apple or Google Pay.
2 – Create your account.
3 – Add any additional participants.
4 – Add your contact (who you wish to have the call with).
5 – Once verified, you can book a video call .(the process will vary slightly from prison to prison)
Click here for more information
Before the most recent lockdown, visiting times were:
Monday – Thursday 2.00 p.m. – 5.15 p.m.
Saturday – 9.00 a.m. – 11.45 + 2.00 p.m. – 4.30 p.m.
Sunday – 2.00 p.m. – 4.30 p.m.
Please note these times may be subject to change when this lockdown finishes, and visits reopen. During COVID restrictions, when visits were last open, residents could have either one two-hour visit per month or two one-hour visits per month.
How many people can visit? In normal times, three adults and three children can visit. During the pandemic, when visits are open, restrictions on numbers are in place. Please check the HMP Bronzefield website for the most up to date information.
Can children visit?
Yes, but due to Covid restrictions, there is a limit on the number of attendees. Additionally, the play area may not be open. Please check with the visits team when confirming your visit. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
What do I need to bring to a visit?
You must take two proofs of address. One should be a photo ID and proof of address e.g driving license or passport, plus utility bill which must be less than three months old. Children must also bring ID which can be their ‘red book’ or birth certificate. If you are visiting with someone else, you must also bring proof that you are from the same household.
What can I take on a visit? Under current Covid restrictions, you can’t take anything with you into the prison except essential medicines which must be handed over for checking to the booking staff.
Can I claim money for travel expenses?
Yes,if you are on benefits or pension credits you can claim money for the cost of your visit and in some cases overnight stays. It is very important that you keep your travel receipts and get a prison visit form stamped by the prison (the prison or visitors’ centre will be able to provide you with this). https://www.gov.uk/help-with-prison-visits
Can I send money in?
From November 2nd 2020, you will not be able to post money to a prisoner unless you have special permission from the governor. Instead you can transfer by Visa, Maestro or Mastercard debit cards, bank transfer, mobile app or telephone banking. For detailed instructions, click here https://www.gov.uk/send-prisoner-money
Can I bring in clothes for the prisoner?
Since Covid, it has not been possible for families to bring in clothes when visiting. However, you can send in books and clothes via the post: please include the prisoner’s name and prison number.
How do I stay in contact?
You can write as many letters as you like and send in photographs but these must not include pictures of the prisoner. You can also sign up to email a prisoner https://www.emailaprisoner.com/ . Once the prisoner has their pin system set up they will be able to make calls between the hours of 6am and midnight as long as they have enough phone credit. Prison voicemail allows you to leave the prisoner a message https://prisonvoicemail.com/ which they will be able to dial in and listen to and leave a reply.
How can I find out more?
For more information about Bronzefield contact:
http://www.hmpbronzefield.co.uk/home/visiting-the-prison.html
