Guidance
Erlestoke Prison
Erlestoke is a men’s prison in the village of Erlestoke, Wiltshire.
Prison visits are temporarily suspended following instructions for people to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives. We will update here as soon as this changes. 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
You can also contact the Prisoners’ Families Helpline on 0808 808 2003.
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Book and plan your visit to Erlestoke
To visit someone in Erlestoke 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 Erlestoke.
Contact Erlestoke 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 Erlestoke
- somewhere to stay overnight
- meals
How to book family and friends visits
You can book your visit online.
You can also book by telephone.
Booking line: 0300 303 0634
Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm
Find out about call charges
Visiting times:
- Thursday: 2pm to 4pm
- Friday: 2pm to 4pm
- Saturday: 9am to 11am, 2pm to 4pm
- Sunday: 9am to 11am, 2pm to 4pm
How to book legal and professional visits
Legal visits must be booked by email: legalvisits.erlestoke@hmps.gsi.gov.uk
Visiting times:
- Thursday: 9:30am to 11:30am
- Friday: 9:30am to 11:30am
Getting to Erlestoke
The closest railway station is Westbury, which is about 7 miles from Erlestoke.
The Friends of Erlestoke Prison run a return transport service on visiting days from Westbury station and Devizes town centre.
To book the service:
Email: friendstransportscheme@gmail.com
Telephone or text: 07721 932 430
Find out about call charges
To plan your journey by public transport:
There is a visitors car park at the main gate. Parking can be arranged nearer the entrance for those with access needs. Contact Erlestoke to discuss.
Entering Erlestoke
All visitors aged 16 and older need to bring one of the following types of photo ID:
- passport
- driving licence
- benefit book
- senior citizen’s public transport pass
- annual public transport season ticket (with photo card)
- employer ID card (if it shows the name of the visitor and the employer)
- European Community identity card
All visitors will need to be given a pat-down search, including children. You may also be sniffed by security dogs.
Visitors should dress appropriately. You may be turned away if you are wearing items like revealing clothing or clothing with offensive slogans. Ask at the visitors centre if you have questions about appropriate dress.
Each adult visitor is allowed to take in a small amount of coins (notes are not allowed). The money can be used to buy food and drink from the snack bar in the visiting hall.
There are strict controls on what you can take into Erlestoke. 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 visitors centre run by the Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT) charity. Family and friends can relax, buy refreshments and get advice and support from the staff.
The Visitors Centre is open at the following times:
- Thursday: 12:30pm to 4:30pm
- Friday: 8:30am to 4:30pm
- Saturday: 8:30am to 4:30pm
Telephone: 01380 816 828
Find out about call charges
There is a children’s play area and a snack bar serving hot and cold food and drinks in the visiting hall.
Family days
Erlestoke Prison runs 6 family days a year. They run from 10am to 3pm and take place during local school holidays. Dates are advertised in the residential units and in the visitors centre. Lunch, refreshments and activities are provided.
Residents can apply to take part if they have children they are responsible for or siblings under 18. Places are allocated on a first come first served basis.
Keep in touch with someone at Erlestoke
There are several ways you can keep in touch with a resident during their time at Erlestoke.
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 man in Erlestoke, call the main telephone number and ask for the orderly officer or duty governor.
Help us to improve this page. Give us your feedback in this 2-minute survey.
Published 19 May 2020