Coldingley Prison
Coldingley is a prison for adult men in Woking, Surrey.
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Book and plan your visit to Coldingley
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 Coldingley 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 person can have. You can check this with Coldingley.
Contact Coldingley 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 Coldingley
- somewhere to stay overnight
- meals
How to book family and friends visits
Coldingley 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.
Visiting times:
- Monday - Thursday: 10am to 11am and 2:30pm to 3:30pm
- Friday: 10am to 11am
You can also register to use the secure video calls service.
How to book legal and professional visits
There are currently no legal visits taking place.
Getting to Coldingley
The closest railway station is Woking.
To plan your journey by public transport:
There is a visitor car park with disabled parking for Blue Badge holders.
Entering Coldingley
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, have your fingerprint taken and your eye scanned.
Coldingley has a strict dress code policy, which means visitors should wear smart clothes (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 is wheelchair access, disabled toilets and mobile hearing loops for those who need them.
There are strict controls on what you can take into Coldingley. 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. No items can be brought into Coldingley and passed to a prisoner.
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 no-smoking visitors centre outside the prison. Family support workers offer help and information to prisoners and their families. The childrens play area is not currently available to use.
There will be no refreshments available during your visit.
Family days
These are held on a regular basis. They are longer visits and allow men to be with their children and families in a more relaxed atmosphere.
Prisoners can apply for them.
Keep in touch with someone at Coldingley
There are several ways you can keep in touch with a prisoner during their time at Coldingley.
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.
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 Coldingley using the Email a Prisoner service.
Letters
You can write at any time.
Include the person’s name and prisoner number on the envelope.
If you do not know their prisoner number, contact Coldingley.
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
You can not hand any parcels or items in at the prison, except books.
People in Coldingley are given a list of approved items that can be sent to them as gifts. Contact Coldingley for more information on what’s allowed.
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 Coldingley
Coldingley 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 Coldingley 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 Surrey Safeguarding Adults Board.
Arrival and first night
When a prisoner first arrives at Coldingley, 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 Coldingley 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
There are over 500 men at Coldingley, mostly housed in single rooms.
There is a gym fitted out with weights and a badminton court and TV is available for prisoners who have earned privileges.
Education and work
As a resettlement prison, Coldingley only accepts prisoners who are prepared to work full-time and willing to take part fully in a resettlement programme.
The only prisoners accepted have a minimum of 2 years to their release date. If prisoners are participating in The Forward Trust’s 12-step programme, they too will be considered.
All men must be willing to commit to the drugs testing programme.
There is a standard day for all prisoners. It includes full-time work in workshops, vocational training, education and the drug-treatment programme.
There is a new modern training and education centre, a prisons IT academy, business training, sports and varied industrial workshops.
Temporary release
Men at Coldingley can not get release on temporary licence (ROTL).
Organisations Coldingley works with
The prison works with the Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT) which offers support to families and friends of those in prison.
Support for family and friends
Find out about advice and helplines for family and friends.
Support at Coldingley
The prison advice and care trust workers offer a wide range of relationship, parenting and family learning courses to encourage prisoners to make a fresh start.
To find out more about these courses:
Email: pact.coldingley@hmps.gsi.gov.uk
Telephone: 01483 344 476
Problems and complaints
If you have a problem contact Coldingley.
Contact Coldingley
Governor: Niall Bryant
Telephone (24 hours): 01483 344 300
Fax: 01483 344 427
Find out about call charges
Address
HMP Coldingley
Shaftesbury Road
Bisley, Woking
Surrey
GU24 9EX
Safer custody hotline
If you are worried about a prisoner at this prison, contact the Safer Custody team.
Telephone: 0800 4961475
Leave a message, and make sure you include your name and telephone number, the reason you are calling and the name and prisoner number of the person you’re calling about. The prison will call you back within 24 hours.
In an emergency, call the switchboard.
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 rules for sending in money and gifts.
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Updated physical contact guidance
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New visiting times and booking information added.
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Governor update.
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Updated visit info
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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 information about secure video calls.
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Updated visiting information in line with coronavirus restrictions.
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added survey link
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First published.