Guidance
Huntercombe Prison
Huntercombe is a prison near Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, for foreign national men.
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 Huntercombe
To visit someone in Huntercombe 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 Huntercombe.
Contact Huntercombe 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 Huntercombe
- somewhere to stay overnight
- meals
How to book family and friends visits
You can book your visit online.
You can also book by email: socialvisits.huntercombe@justice.gov.uk
Visiting times:
- Monday: 2pm to 4pm
- Thursday: 2pm to 4pm
- Saturday: 2pm to 4pm
- Sunday: 2pm to 4pm
You should aim to arrive at least 30 minutes before the start of your visit. Anyone arriving after 3:30pm will not be admitted.
How to book legal and professional visits
Email: legalvisits.huntercombe@justice.gov.uk
Visiting times:
- Tuesday: 9am to 11:30am
- Thursday: 9am to 11:30am
Getting to Huntercombe
The closest railway station is Henley-on-Thames which is about 7 miles from the prison. You can take a bus or taxi from the station.
To plan your journey by public transport:
There is a visitors car park including space for Blue Badge holders.
Entering Huntercombe
All visitors aged 16 and older need to bring valid ID, such as:
- 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.
Huntercombe has a family-friendly dress code which means visitors should dress appropriately. You will be turned away if you are wearing revealing clothing like low-cut tops or ripped jeans. Additionally, you cannot wear anything with offensive patterns or slogans, football shirts or uniforms. Ask in the visitors centre if you have questions about the dress code.
Each adult visitor is allowed to take in a maximum of £20 in coins (notes are not allowed). The money can be used to buy food and drink from the canteen in the visiting hall.
There are strict controls on what you can take into Huntercombe. 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 where family and friends can relax and buy refreshments before they enter the visiting hall.
The visiting hall includes a children’s play area, toilets and baby changing facilities. All areas are wheelchair friendly.
The Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT) offers practical advice and emotional support to friends and family of men in prison.
Telephone: 01491 643 328
Find out about call charges
Keep in touch with someone at Huntercombe
There are several ways you can keep in touch with a resident during their time at Huntercombe.
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 Huntercombe 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 Huntercombe.
Letters
You can write at any time.
Include the person’s name, date of birth and prisoner number on the envelope.
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
Friends and family can send books to residents. They must be bought and sent from approved retailers: Waterstones, WH Smith or Amazon.
Make sure to include the person’s name and prison number on the parcel. They will be opened and checked by officers.
It’s not possible to send any other items or property. You can send residents money instead which they can use to buy items through a catalogue system.
Life at Huntercombe
Huntercombe is committed to providing a safe and educational environment where men can learn new skills to help them on release.
It accommodates foreign national men with between 3 and 30 months left to serve and provides liaison and forums with Home Office Immigration Enforcement.
Security and safeguarding
Every person at Huntercombe 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 Oxfordshire Safeguarding Adults Board.
Huntercombe also works with the Samaritans to train residents to be Listeners for those who need support during difficult times.
Arrival and first night
When a resident first arrives at Huntercombe, 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 Huntercombe 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 480 men live at Huntercombe in a mixture of single and shared rooms.
Education and work
Residents have access to a broad programme of learning opportunities, ranging from basic skills, such as English and maths, to higher learning and qualifications. Vocational training is available in bricklaying, painting and decorating, industrial cleaning and kitchen work.
The gym offers a range of activities for residents of all physical abilities.
Support for family and friends
Find out about advice and helplines for family and friends.
Support at Huntercombe
Family Engagement support for Huntercombe is provided by the Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT).
Email: huntercombe@prisonadvice.org.uk
Problems and complaints
If you have a problem, please write to the Governor.
If you cannot resolve the problem directly, you can make a complaint to HM Prison and Probation Service.
Contact Huntercombe
Governor: David Redhouse
Telephone: 01491 643 100
Fax: 01491 643 101
Find out about call charges
Address
HMP Huntercombe
Nuffield
Henley-on-Thames
Oxfordshire
RG9 5SB
Safer custody hotline
If you have concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a man in Huntercombe, contact the safer custody hotline. Leave as much information as possible and a telephone number for staff to call you back.
Email: safercustodyhuntercombe@justice.gov.uk
Telephone: 01491 643 225
Find out about call charges
If it is not urgent, leave a message with your telephone number on the safer communities line on:
Telephone: 0345 039 0015
In an emergency, call the main prison telephone number and ask to speak to the orderly officer.
Published 5 May 2020