Visit someone in prison

Use this service to book a social visit to a prisoner in England or Wales.

You need the:

• prisoner number
• prisoner’s date of birth
• dates of birth for all visitors coming with you

The prisoner must add you to their visitor list before you can book a visit.

You’ll get an email confirming your visit. It takes 1 to 3 days.

What you need to know

Contact the prison directly if you need to arrange any of the following:

• legal visits, for example legal professionals discussing the prisoner’s case
• official prison visits if you don’t have the prisoner’s date of birth and prisoner’s number
• reception visits, for example the first visit to the prisoner within 72 hours of being admitted
• double visits, for example visiting for 2 hours instead of 1
• family day visits - special family events that the prison organises

Northern Ireland and Scotland

You must contact individual prisons in Northern Ireland or Scotland to book a visit.