Norwich Prison
Norwich is a prison for men aged 18 and over on the eastern outskirts of Norwich in Norfolk.
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Book and plan your visit to Norwich prison
To visit someone in Norwich 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. Prisoners can have up to 3 visitors over the age of 10 at one time, plus any younger children.
There may be a limit to the number of visits a prisoner can have. You can check this with Norwich prison.
Contact Norwich 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 Norwich
- somewhere to stay overnight
- meals
How to book family and friends visits
HMP Norwich 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.
Booking line: 01603 708 790
Find out about call charges
The booking line is open:
- Monday to Thursday: 10am to 12pm and 1:30pm to 4pm
- Friday: 10am to 12:30pm and 1:30pm to 3:30pm
You can also email: [SocialVisits.Norwich@justice.gov.uk](mailto:SocialVisits.Norwich@justice.gov.uk.
Visits must be booked by midday on Friday for weekend visits.
Visiting times
Visits schedule for the reception site: A, B, C, C3, E, and Ketts:
- Tuesday: A and E wing 10:30am to 11:30am
- Wednesday: C wing 2pm to 3pm
- Thursday: B and C3 wing 10:30am to 11:30am
- Saturday: A and E wing 2pm to 3pm
- Sunday: B and C3 wing 10am to 11am
Visits schedule for the Cat C site: F, G, Healthcare and L wing:
- Tuesday: F wing 2pm to 3pm and 3:45pm to 4:45pm
- Thursday: G wing 2pm to 3pm and 3:45pm to 4:45pm
- Saturday: F wing 10am to 11am
- Sunday: G wing 2pm to 3pm
Visits schedule for Britannia House:
- Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday: 10 am to 11am
- Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday: 2pm to 3pm and 3:30pm to 4:30pm
How to book legal and professional visits
Face to Face visits can be booked by email: legalvisits.norwich@hmps.gsi.gov.uk
Video link legal visits can be booked by email: VCC.Norwich@justice.gov.uk
Video Link visits Main site and Cat C:
- Monday to Friday: 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 5pm
Face to face visits - Main site:
- Tuesday and Thursday: 8:30am to 9:15am and 9:30am to 10:15am
Face to face visits - Cat C site:
- Tuesday and Thursday: 2pm to 2:45pm and 3pm to 3:45pm
Getting to Norwich
HMP Norwich is situated on the eastern outskirts of Norwich, in Norfolk.
Bus numbers 23 or 24 from City Centre or the train Station go past HMP Norwich. Ask for Knox Road (or simply ask for the prison).
Take a train to Norwich Station (London services are via Liverpool Street). From Norwich Station it takes approximately 20 minutes to walk to the prison. At the main junction outside the station follow Riverside Road (Keep River on your left). At the roundabout turn right up Ketts Hill onto Plumstead Road. Please note the prison is located at the top of a steep hill. Turn left into Barrack Road. The prison and Visitors’ Centre are situated at the end of the road. No special transport is provided. Buses and taxis can be taken to the prison.
From A11: Join A47 (Southern bypass around Norwich) and follow signs for Great Yarmouth. Take the slip road signposted A1042 (Norwich N & E & Thorpe St. Andrew). Go straight over the roundabout and under Railway Bridge. At mini roundabout turn right. Take left-hand slip road by traffic lights (Sainsbury’s should be on your right-hand side) signposted Cromer, Norwich Airport (A140). Follow road up hill to roundabout. Take the second exit, Plumstead Road (B1140), signpost “HM Prison”. Turn right into Barrack Road. HMP YOI Norwich, and the Visitors’ Centre, is situated at the end of the road Parking Limited parking is available on site. Information and leaflets on all the above services can be obtained from the visitors’ centre.
Parking is limited however car parking is free.
To plan your journey by public transport:
Entering Norwich
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.
Visitors must adhere to the prison dress code that applies, further details can be requested on your first visit. 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 are strict controls on what you can take into Norwich. 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 need a £1 coin for the lockers, which is refundable.
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.
Call the booking line if you have any questions about visiting.
Visiting facilities
There is a visitors centre at Norwich. The visitors centre is outside the entrance to the prison and serves hot and cold drinks and has a small children’s play area.
There is also a snack bar inside the visits hall.
Family days
Family Days are an opportunity for families and children to spend and extended period together engaging in play activities and sharing lunch together; 4 Family Days are expected to take place each year split between the Cat C unit and the Main side of the prison. These days take place on Fridays during school holidays. It is expected that up to 12 fathers can take part on each day.
Children’s visits
Children’s Visits are special visits for children to visit their dad/stepdad or granddad so that the family can spend time together in a relaxed setting. These visits can also be for new dads (‘Baby Bonding’ visits) so that they can bond with their new baby soon after birth.
Transition Children’s Visits
Transition Children’s Visits (otherwise known as Brit House Dad’s Visits) for fathers currently residing in the open-conditions part of HMP/YOI Norwich, Britannia House, to spend time with their children at the Play Space in the Visitors Centre, building the families confidence in dad’s capabilities as a parent and preparing the dads for their release.
Keep in touch with someone at Norwich
There are several ways you can keep in touch with a prisoner during their time at Norwich.
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
You can request a secure video call with someone in this prison via the Prison Video app.
You will receive a notification when your request has been accepted.
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 Norwich using the Email a Prisoner service.
You might also be able to attach photos and receive replies from the prisoner, depending on the rules at Norwich.
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 Norwich.
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
People in Norwich are given a list of approved items that can be sent to them as gifts. Contact Norwich for more information on what’s allowed.
Family and friends 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.
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 Norwich
Norwich 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 Norwich 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 Norfolk Safeguarding Adults Board.
If you have any concerns about a prisoner at Norwich, contact the Safer Custody team.
Arrival and first night
When a prisoner first arrives at Norwich, 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 Norwich 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 750 men live at Norwich Prison, mostly in single rooms with some shared accommodation.
There are 10 wings and a special care unit:
- A - induction unit, first night centre, drug treatment stabilisation and maintenance unit
- B and C - for those on remand and trial plus vulnerable prisoners
- D - resettlement unit (also known as Britannia House)
- E - older prisoners unit
- F and G - local discharge unit for low-risk prisoners who are local to the area, serving 24 months or less
- H - healthcare unit
- L - elderly lifer unit
- M - low-risk prisoners serving 24 months or less
- U - special care and segregation unit (also known as the Kett’s unit)
There is a healthcare centre with 24-hour nursing cover.
Norwich has 3 gyms and an artificial multi-use sports area. There are various sports clubs available.
Prisoners have access to a wide range of faith and religious services.
Education and work
Education is offered by teachers across the prison. Courses cover:
- English
- maths
- work, life and social skills
- IT
- English for speakers of other languages
- food hygiene
- first aid
- health and safety
- catering
- painting and decorating
- arts and crafts
- gym instruction
There are work opportunities in:
- printing
- textiles
- packing
- gardening
Norwich also offers drug and alcohol programmes.
Support for family and friends
Find out about advice and helplines for family and friends.
To contact our head of family provision at HMP Norwich email: SocialVisits.Norwich@justice.gov.uk
Support at Norwich
Family services at Maidstone are provided by Ormiston Families.
Problems and complaints
If you have a problem contact Norwich.
Contact Norwich
Governor: Declan Moore
Telephone: 01603 708 600
Fax: 01603 708 601
Find out about call charges
Address
HMP/YOI Norwich
Knox Road
Norwich
Norfolk
NR1 4LU
In an emergency
Call 01603 708 600 if you have an immediate or emergency concern about the welfare of a prisoner and ask for the orderly officer or duty governor.
Safer custody hotline
Telephone: 01603 706387
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-minute survey.
Last updated 1 April 2022 + show all updates
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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 information about how to use secure video calling at this prison.
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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 visiting information in line with new local restriction tiers.
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Updated prison visits
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Updated prison visits
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Updated safer custody hotline
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Updated visiting information in line with new national restrictions in England.
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Covid update
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Added confirmation of secure video calls made available at this prison.
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added survey link
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First published.