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Guidance: Stafford Prison

Ministry Of Justice

January 25
11:12 2024

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Book and plan your visit to Stafford prison

To visit someone in Stafford Prison you must:

  • be on that persons 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 prisoner can have. You can check this with Stafford Prison.

Contact Stafford Prison 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 Stafford Prison
  • somewhere to stay overnight
  • meals

How to book family and friends visits

You can book your visit online or by telephone.

Telephone booking line: 0300 060 6505
Find out about call charges

Booking line opening times:

  • Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: midday to 5pm
  • Tuesday and Thursday: 9am to 5pm
  • bank holidays and weeekends: closed

Visiting times:

  • Wednesday: 2pm to 4pm
  • Thursday: 2pm to 4pm
  • Saturday: 2pm to 4pm
  • Sunday: 2pm to 4pm

The Visits Centre is open on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from midday to 4:30pm.

Booking in for visitors starts at midday to 3pm.

You can book a legal or professional visit by email to HMPPSvisitbooking@justice.gov.uk or by telephone.

Booking line: 0300 060 6505
Find out about call charges

  • Monday: 9:30am to 11am
  • Tuesday: 9:30am to 11am
  • Wednesday: 9:30am to 11am
  • Thursday: 9:30am to 11am

Video link facilities are available for parole hearings, court appearances and offender management meetings. These cannot be used for legal meetings.

To arrange a prison video link, email: HMPPSvisitbooking@justice.gov.uk

Getting to Stafford Prison

Find Stafford Prison on a map

Bus

There are no direct services to the prison, but buses stop at Sainsburys in Chell Road, only a short walk away. The bus station (Queensway) is also very close to the prison.

On leaving the station (Stafford connects to Glasgow, Manchester, Liverpool, London Euston on the West Coast main-line), you can either take a taxi or walk. Use the pelican crossing, then turn left and follow the road around into Victoria Road, keeping to the right-hand side of the road. Cross at the mini-island and take the pedestrian walkway (straight on) past the Crown Court. Cross the road into St. Marys Passage and follow the path, keeping St. Marys Church on your left. On entering the town, turn left at McDonalds and walk straight through the town centre until you come to Queensway (The Ring Road). You will see Starbucks Caf on your right. Cross the first three lane road (Pelican crossing) and turn right, following the path to the second two lane road (Pelican crossing). On crossing the road, turn left, keeping the railings on your left. Walk straight up Gaol Road, with the prison wall on your right. You will see a zebra crossing, nearly opposite the main prison gate. Cross over the road and turn left into County Road. The Visits Centre entrance is immediately on your left, in the large three floor building.

Car

If you are using sat nav, the postcode to use is ST16 3AW. Leave the M6 motorway at Junction 14 and take the Eccleshall Road (2nd exit from the North and 3rd exit from the South). Follow the road for 1 mile and you will reach an island, taking the third exit for Town Centre. Take the nearside lane and turn left at the traffic lights into Browning Street. At the mini roundabout, take the third exit onto Gaol Road. Pass the petrol station on your left and the main prison gate will be on your left.

There is a small public pay and display car park opposite the prison gate.

Car park information:

  • up to 24 hours 4.40
  • Sundays 1.00 all day
  • disabled blue badge holders free
  • there is a pay by phone facility on the car park
  • motorcycles in designated bays free
  • there are 4 designated bays for electric cars with charging facilities

To plan your journey by public transport:

Entering Stafford Prison

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. This site provides more detailed information about many topics (booking, visits times, directions, facilities, dress code etc.) linked to visiting someone in prison, so we would recommend having a look, before visiting.

HMP Stafford operate a biometrics system to identify visitors. If it is your first visit, the PACT staff will explain the system, which requires you to place your index finger onto a reader, followed by standing still and having your image taken. You will be allowed to use a locker, to keep any unauthorised items which are not allowed into the prison. This includes items such as excess money, mobile phones, medication, shopping etc. You will be allowed to take your ID, locker key and money, up to the value of 30, to enable you to purchase refreshments, sweets etc. in the Visits Hall.

Essential medication can be taken into the prison. You must notify the Visits Centre staff that you need this. You will be required to pass the medication to the Senior Officer in the Visits Hall before you go to your allocated table. They will keep it safely for you, until you require it.

Disabled Visitors can utilise a toilet within the prison gate and adjacent to the Visits Hall. The car park adjacent to the Visits Centre has a number of designated disabled parking spaces. As the Visits Hall is on the first floor, disabled visitors may wish to utilise the lift. We have a number of tables which provide more space for wheelchair users. If you have a sight or hearing disability, please indicate to the Visits Centre staff that you may need assistance. We will be very pleased to assist you in any way we can, to ensure that you can gain full and safe access into and out of the establishment.

There are baby changing facilities within the Visits Centre and Visits Hall. We can accommodate pushchairs, however we would request that you do not bring large prams, given the lack of access and space within certain areas of the prison. If you are bringing young children or babies, we will allow bottles and dummies to go into the prison. Please ensure that you have necessary food and/or refreshments for babies, before entering the prison.

Once you have left the Visits Centre, please cross Gaol Road (via the zebra crossing) to your right. The entrance into the prison for visitors is through the door to the left of the main vehicle gate.

Once inside, you will be subject to a search by prison staff. They will explain the search procedures to you. It is similar to when you go to an airport, passing through a metal detection portal and a pat-down search. You may also be subject to a passive drug dog search, in relation to unauthorised items.

You will pass into the Visits Hall and be allocated a table, where your visits will take place.

Visits staff will give a verbal indication to you 5 minutes before the visits session is due to finish. We try to optimise the amount of contact time you have with your loved one, given the time and effort is has taken for visitors to travel to HMP Stafford.

At the end of the visit, you will return to the Visits Centre, following the same route as when you entered. Please ensure that you collect all of your possessions before you travel home.

Each adult visitor is allowed to take in a maximum of 30 to buy refreshments and food from the canteen.

Claim for help with prison visits

If you visit a family member, partner or someone who does not get other visitors, you may be able t

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