Frankland Prison
Frankland is a high-security men’s prison in Brasside, County Durham.
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Book and plan your visit to Frankland
To visit someone in Frankland you must:
- be on that person’s visitor list
- book your visit at least 2 days in advance
- have the required ID with you when you go
At least one visitor must be 18 or older at every visit. Up to 2 adults can visit at one time, along with any children.
The number of visits a prisoner can have depends on the privilege level he is on. You can check this with Frankland.
See the Nepacs website to learn more about visiting Frankland.
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 Frankland
- somewhere to stay overnight
- meals
How to book family and friends visits
Frankland 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 book your visit by telephone or you can also register to use the secure video calls service.
Booking line: 0191 376 5048
The booking line is open Monday to Friday, 9am to midday
Find out about call charges
Visiting times:
- Tuesday to Sunday: 2pm to 4pm. Staff will attempt to allow visitors as long as possible between these times.
How to book legal and professional visits
Booking line: 0191 376 5048
The booking line is open Monday to Friday, 9am to midday.
Getting to Frankland
The closest railway station is Durham, then take a taxi or bus to Brasside.
To plan your journey by public transport:
There is free car parking available at the prison and on-street parking. There are spaces for Blue Badge holders.
Entering Frankland
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.
Frankland has a strict dress code policy, which means visitors should wear smart clothes (no vests, no low-cut tops, no shorts, no short dresses, no ripped clothing, no offensive slogans, no camouflage 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 Frankland. You will have to leave most of the things you have with you in a locker (£1 coin refundable) 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 Nepacs. The centre is open on visiting days from 11:30am to 4:15pm.
Only toilet facilities are in use during this time. There will be no refreshments available during your visit and the children’s play area will not be available to use.
Family days
Family day visits have re-commenced, full details are provided to prisoners via notices on the wing and wing reps. Notices are also provided in the visitor’s centre. Frankland aims to run 12 family day visits a year.
Keep in touch with someone at Frankland
There are several ways you can keep in touch with someone during their time at Frankland.
Secure video calls
To have a secure video call with someone in this prison you need to:
- Download the Prison Video app
- Create an account
- Register all visitors
- Add the prisoner to your contact list.
How to book a secure video call
Secure video calls at this prison can be requested by prisoners only.
You will receive a notification if a prisoner has requested a video call with you.
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 Frankland using the Email a Prisoner service.
You might also be able to attach photos and receive replies, depending on the rules at Frankland.
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 Frankland.
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 post or hand in anything for a prisoner in Frankland. Anything the prisoner needs must be ordered through the prison catalogues.
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 Frankland
Frankland 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 Frankland 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.
Arrival and first night
When somoene first arrives at Frankland, 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 Frankland 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
Around 850 men live at Frankland across 8 wings. Rooms are single with their own toilets and sinks.
There is a healthcare unit and management progression unit.
There are gym facilities and all prisoners have access to a range of physical activities.
Education and work
Milton Keynes College provides various courses from basic skills to degree level. Prisoners can study full time or part time in a range of industrial, vocational and academic settings and gain nationally recognised qualifications.
Prisoners at Frankland can work in furniture production, cutting and sewing and recycling.
A range of offending behaviour programmes are offered.
Organisations Frankland works with
Frankland works with a wide range of local organisations to provide support and guidance to prisoners, including:
- Age UK
- Royal British Legion
- Fine Cell Work
- Samaritans
Support for family and friends
Find out about advice and helplines for family and friends.
If you have a concern about a prisoner please call: 0800 032 0079.
The Children and Families Strategy is overseen by our Reducing Reoffending Committee, chaired by our Head of Reducing Reoffending who can be contacted at Businesshubfrankland@justice.gov.uk.
Support at Frankland
Partners of Prisoners (POPS) family support team provides a range of information, guidance and support to families and friends of prisoners. You can call or ask in the visitor’s centre to speak to someone.
Problems and complaints
If you have a problem contact Frankland.
Contact Frankland
Governor: Darren Finley
Telephone: 0191 376 5048
Fax: 0191 376 5001
Find out about call charges
Email: BusinesshubFrankland@Justice.gov.uk
Address
Business Hub
HMP Frankland
Brasside
Durham
DH1 5YD
Safer Custody Hotline
If you have concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a prisoner at Frankland prison that are not an immediate concern, call the safer custody hotline on 0800 0320079. It is free to call.
24 hour answering machine Find out about call charges
Leave a message giving as many details as possible including the prisoners name, prisoner number and what wing they are located on if you know it. If you wish, you can leave your own details and a contact number so the prison can give you feedback, if appropriate.
You can also read more information about safer custody concerns on the Prisoners Families website.
Help us to improve this page. Give us your feedback in this 2-minutes survey.
Last updated 10 August 2022 + show all updates
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Updated operating times for visits booking line from 8:30am to 9am.
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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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New visiting times and booking information added.
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Prison moved into National Stage 3 framework and is now preparing to open visits for family, friends and significant others. We will update this page with specific visiting information as soon as possible.
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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 the family and friends visits booking line times of operation.
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Updated governor
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Updated visiting information in line with coronavirus restrictions.
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Updated visiting information in line with coronavirus restrictions.
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added video calling info
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First published.