Bure Prison
Bure is a prison near Norwich in Norfolk for men convicted of a sex offence.
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Book and plan your visit to Bure
HMP Bure is offering visits for family and friends. Visiting times and availability may change at short notice. You should contact the prison direct for any queries.
Now that regular COVID testing of people in the wider community has ended, you are no longer required to take a COVID test before coming to see someone for a visit, although we would still encourage you to do so.
We will continue to run social visits whilst it is safe to do so.
Visiting rules may change if there is an outbreak within the prison, this may include bringing back testing before visits for a short time to protect you, the person you are visiting and staff.
If you are unable to visit someone in prison you can still keep in touch.
You can also contact the Prisoners’ Families Helpline on 0808 808 2003. You will not be able to book a visit using this number.
To visit someone in Bure 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.
Someone in Bure can have 2 or 3 visits a month depending on behaviour.
Contact Bure 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 Bure
- somewhere to stay overnight
- meals
How to book family and friends visits
Bure is running a limited visits schedule. Visits are also happening differently than normal, observing strict guidelines, which must be followed.
You can book your visit online.
You can also book your visit by telephone. If you have been sent a visiting order in the post, you can also book by telephone.
Booking line: 01603 326 252
The booking line is open:
- Tuesday 8:30am to 12pm
- Wednesday 8:30am to 12pm
- Thursday 10am to 12pm
- Saturday and Sunday 8:30am to 12pm
Enquiries only: socialvisits.bure@hmps.gsi.gov.uk
Visiting times:
- Saturday 1:30pm to 2:30pm and 3pm to 4pm
- Sunday 1:30pm to 2:30pm and 3pm to 4pm
How to book legal and professional visits
Booking line: 01603 326 231
The booking line is open Monday to Friday 9:30am to 11:30am and 2pm to 3pm
Legal and professional visits are available on Tuesday only: 8:30am to 11:30am and 1:45pm to 3:45pm
Getting to Bure
For sat nav purposes use postcode NR10 5AJ.
The closest railway station is Norwich, which is about 14 miles from Bure Prison. A subsidised bus, which picks up from the train and bus station, can be booked through the visitors centre on 01603 326 252.
To plan your journey by public transport:
There is a visitors car park, including spaces for Blue Badge holders.
Entering Bure
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.
Bure has a strict dress code policy, which means visitors should dress appropriately (no vests, no low-cut tops, no shorts, no short dresses and no headwear, other than that worn for religious reasons).
There will be no refreshments available during your visit.
There are strict controls on what you can take into Bure. You will have to leave most of the things you have with you in a locker 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 friendly and welcoming visitors centre, run by Spurgeons. The visitors centre has a welcome desk, TV and staff who can provide you with information.
Children’s visits
There are currently no childrens visits being run.
Keep in touch with someone at Bure
There are several ways you can keep in touch with a prisoner during their time at Bure.
Phone calls
Prisoners do not have phones in their rooms so they will always need to call you rather than you call them.
They can phone anyone named and approved 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.
Prisoners can call you as many times a day as they like (depending on their phone credit), but each call is limited to 15 minutes. They also have to wait 15 minutes to call again. They can call throughout the day until 6:45pm in the week and 5pm on weekends.
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 Bure using the Email a Prisoner service.
You might also be able to attach photos, depending on the rules at Bure.
Secure video calls
Secure video calling is available at this prison. Family and friends will need to download the Prison Video app, create an account, register all visitors and add the prisoner to their contact list.
Letters
Include the person’s name and prisoner number on the envelope.
If you do not know their prisoner number, contact Bure.
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
People in Bure can only have books and clothing sent in. Clothing can only be sent during the last 6 months of a prisoner’s sentence. Contact Bure for more information on what’s allowed.
Make sure to include the person’s name and prisoner number on the parcel.
All parcels will be opened and checked by officers.
Prisoners can buy a variety of items for themselves through a catalogue system.
Friends and families 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 Bure
Bure is committed to providing a safe and educational environment where men can learn new skills to help them on release.
Security and safeguarding
Every person at Bure 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.
All safeguarding processes are overseen by Norfolk Safeguarding Adults Board.
There’s a listener scheme for prisoners, overseen by the Samaritans, if they need a peer to talk to. There’s also a drop-in service for prisoners to get support.
Arrival and first night
When someone first arrives at Bure, 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 person who arrives at Bure gets an induction that lasts about 3 days. They will meet professionals and peers 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 and the chaplaincy team
- settling in at Bure and feeling safe
Everyone also finds out about the rules, fire safety, and how things like calls and visits work.
Accommodation
Around 650 men live at Bure across 7 units.
Most rooms are single and have in-room toilets and sinks, personal safes, privacy locks and some have showers.
Education and work
Bure has a wide range of learning opportunities. Prisoners can gain further qualifications and learn practical skills, such as bricklaying.
Bure also offers specific behaviour programmes for men convicted of a sex offence.
Temporary release
Prisoners at Bure can apply for release on temporary licence (ROTL) if they fit the criteria. All applications are then assessed.
Support for family and friends
Find out about advice and helplines for family and friends.
Support at Bure
Families visiting Bure can get help from family support workers at the Spurgeons visitors centre. They can offer signposting and referrals if needed.
Problems and complaints
If you have a problem contact Bure.
Contact Bure
Governor: Simon Rhoden
Telephone: 01603 326 000
Fax: 01603 326 001
Monday to Thursday, 8am to 5pm, Friday 8am to 4pm
Find out about call charges
Address
HMP Bure
Jaguar Drive
Badersfield
Norwich
Norfolk
NR10 5GB
Safer custody hotline
If you have concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a man in Bure, call the safer custody hotline. The phone line is monitored 24 hours a day and all calls are treated as confidential.
Telephone: 01603 326 012
Find out about call charges
Help us to improve this page. Give us your feedback in this 2-minute survey.
Help us to improve this page. Give us your feedback in this 2-minute survey.
Last updated 2 August 2022 + show all updates
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Secure video calls update.
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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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Updated physical contact guidance
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Revised visiting times for family, friends and significant others.
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New visiting times and booking information added.
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Updated visiting information in line with coronavirus restrictions.
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Safer Custody contact number updated.
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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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Updated video call info
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updated survey link
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Visits information updated
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First published.