Erlestoke Prison
Erlestoke is a men’s prison in the village of Erlestoke, Wiltshire.
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Book and plan your visit to Erlestoke
Prison social visits are temporarily suspended at Erlestoke following national lockdown. We will update here as soon as this changes. There may be the opportunity for visits under exceptional compassionate reasons which should be agreed in advance with the prison prior to travel. We will update here as soon as this changes.
Find out more about visiting someone in prison during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can also follow @HMPPS on Twitter and read a rolling update page.
There are a number of other ways to contact someone in prison if you are unable to visit them. You can:
- leave a voice message using the Prison Voicemail Service
- send them an email using the email a prisoner service
- write to them
- use secure video calling
You can also contact the Prisoners’ Families Helpline on 0808 808 2003.
Keep in touch with someone at Erlestoke
There are several ways you can keep in touch with a resident during their time at Erlestoke.
Secure video calls
Secure video calling is available at this prison. Family and friends need to download the purple visits app, create an account, register all visitors, and add the prisoner to their contact list.
Phone calls
Residents 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 Erlestoke using the Email a Prisoner service.
You might also be able to attach photos and receive replies from the resident, depending on the rules at Erlestoke.
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 Erlestoke.
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.
Gifts and parcels
People in Erlestoke are given a list of approved items that can be sent to them as gifts. Contact Erlestoke 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.
Life at Erlestoke
Erlestoke Prison strives to provide a safe, decent and secure environment for residents, staff and visitors. They focus on preparing residents for release with training and education in a social environment.
Security and safeguarding
Every person at Erlestoke has a right to feel safe. The staff are responsible for their safeguarding and welfare at all times.
All safeguarding processes are overseen by the Wiltshire Safeguarding Adults Board.
Arrival and first night
When a resident first arrives at Erlestoke, 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 Erlestoke 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
Over 500 men live at Erlestoke across 8 units. Most men get their own room.
Education and work
All residents are expected to engage in purposeful activity during their time at Erlestoke. There are a range of opportunities to study, train or work throughout the prison.
Residents can work in areas such as the kitchens and the farms and gardens and earn qualifications at the same time.
Erlestoke also runs a number of accredited offending behaviour programme courses.
Support for family and friends
Find out about advice and helplines for family and friends.
Support at Erlestoke
The visitors centre at Erlestoke is run by PACT. Staff are available to help residents and their friends and family.
There is a dedicated helpline on 01380 816 828. You can speak to someone through this line during the visitors centre opening hours on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Outside of those times you can leave a message and someone will get back to you when the visitors centre is open.
Problems and complaints
If you have a problem contact Erlestoke. If you cannot resolve the problem directly, you can make a complaint to HM Prison and Probation Service.
Contact Erlestoke
Governor: Tim Knight
Telephone: 01380 814 250
Fax: 01380 814 273
Find out about call charges
Address
HMP Erlestoke
Erlestoke
Devizes
Wiltshire
SN10 5TU
Safer custody
If you have concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a friend or family member in HMP Erlestoke, please call the Safer Custody Hotline. There is an answer machine facility which is checked periodically three times a day. Please leave as much information as possible along with your telephone number so that staff can call you back within the following 24 hour period.
Safer Custody Hotline 01380 814 373
In an emergency or your call is urgent, please call the Main Switchboard and ask to speak with the Orderly Officer or Duty Manager.
Main Switchboard 01380 814 250.
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Last updated 31 December 2020 + show all updates
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Updated visiting information in line with coronavirus restrictions
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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 safer custody information.
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Updated safer custody telephone information
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Updated visiting information in line with coronavirus restrictions.
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First published.