Guidance
Swinfen Hall Prison
Swinfen Hall is a men’s prison and young offender institution (YOI) in the village of Swinfen, Staffordshire.
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
- 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. Read more about how it works
You can also contact the Prisoners’ Families Helpline on 0808 808 2003.
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Book and plan your visit to Swinfen Hall
To visit someone in Swinfen Hall you must:
- be on that person’s visitor list
- book your visit at least one working day 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 Swinfen Hall.
Contact Swinfen Hall 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 Swinfen Hall
- somewhere to stay overnight
- meals
How to book family and friends visits
You can book your visit online.
You can also book by email and telephone.
Email: visitsbooking.westmidlands@noms.gsi.gov.uk
Booking line: 0300 060 6507
Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm
Find out about call charges
Visiting times:
- Tuesday: 2pm to 4pm
- Wednesday: 2pm to 4pm
- Saturday: 1:45pm to 3:45pm
- Sunday: 1:45pm to 3:45pm
How to book legal and professional visits
Email: visitsbooking.westmidlands@noms.gsi.gov.uk
You can also book by telephone.
Booking line: 0300 060 6507
Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm
Find out about call charges
Visiting times:
- Tuesday: 9:30am to 11:30am
- Wednesday: 9:30am to 11:30am
- Thursday: 9:30am to 11:30am
Getting to Swinfen Hall
The closest railway station is Lichfield, which is about 3 miles from Swinfen. There is no local bus service so you will need to take a taxi from the station.
Use National Rail Enquiries to plan your journey.
There is a visitors car park in front of the prison, including space for Blue Badge holders.
Entering Swinfen Hall
You will need your visiting order number, which you will receive by email with your booking confirmation.
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.
Each adult visitor is allowed to take in a maximum of £10 in coins (notes are not allowed). The money can be used to buy food and drink from the vending machine in the visiting hall.
There are strict controls on what you can take into Swinfen Hall. You will have to leave most of the things you have with you in a locker (you will need a £1 coin) 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 Barnardo’s.
Family and friends can relax, buy refreshments and get advice and support from the staff.
Family days
Family days are longer visits so that men can spend more time in an informal setting with their families.
Ask about these at the visitor centre.
Keep in touch with someone at Swinfen Hall
There are several ways you can keep in touch with a resident during their time at Swinfen Hall.
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 Swinfen Hall 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 Swinfen Hall.
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 Swinfen Hall.
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 Swinfen Hall are given a list of approved items that can be sent to them as gifts. Contact Swinfen Hall 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 Swinfen Hall
Swinfen Hall is committed to providing an environment where men can feel safe, secure and supported in all aspects of their life.
Security and safeguarding
Every person at Swinfen Hall 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 Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Adult Safeguarding Partnership Board.
Arrival and first night
When a resident first arrives at Swinfen Hall, 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 Swinfen Hall 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 600 men live at Swinfen Hall across 9 wings. Most men get their own room.
Education and work
Residents have access to a broad programme of classes, training and work.
Support for family and friends
Find out about advice and helplines for family and friends.
Support at Swinfen Hall
The prison advice and care trust (PACT) offers help and informal support to families and friends of men at Swinfen Hall.
Problems and complaints
If you have a problem contact Swinfen Hall. If you cannot resolve the problem directly, you can make a complaint to HM Prison and Probation Service.
HM Prison and Probation Service publishes action plans for Swinfen Hall in response to independent inspections.
Contact Swinfen Hall
Governor: Ian West
Telephone: 01543 484 000
24 hour switchboard
Fax: 01543 484 001
Follow Swinfen Hall on Twitter
Address
HMP/YOI Swinfen Hall
Swinfen Hall
Lichfield
Staffordshire
WS14 9QS
Safer custody hotline
If you have concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a man in Swinfen Hall, call the safer custody hotline and leave a message. Someone will call you back within 24 hours.
Telephone: 01543 484 244
In an emergency, call the switchboard.
Published 19 May 2020
Last updated 5 June 2020 + show all updates
Last updated 5 June 2020 + show all updates
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Updated information to include confirmation of secure video calls being available at this prison.
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First published.