GovWire

Book and plan your visit to Frankland

To visit someone in Frankland you must:

• be on that persons visitor list
• book your visit at least 2 days in advance
• have the required ID with you when you go

At least one visitor must be 18 or older at every visit. Up to 2 adults can visit at one time, along with any children.

The number of visits a prisoner can have depends on the privilege level he is on. You can check this with Frankland.

See the Nepacs website to learn more about visiting Frankland.

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 Frankland
• somewhere to stay overnight
• meals

How to book family and friends visits

Frankland 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 or you can also register to use the secure video calls service.

Booking line: 0191 376 5048
The booking line is open Monday to Friday, 9am to midday
Find out about call charges

Visiting times:

• Tuesday to Sunday: 2pm to 4pm

How to book legal and professional visits

There are currently no legal visits taking place.

Getting to Frankland

Find Frankland on a map

The closest railway station is Durham, then take a taxi or bus to Brasside.

To plan your journey by public transport:

• use National Rail Enquiries
• use Traveline for local bus times

There is free car parking available at the prison and on-street parking. There are spaces for Blue Badge holders.

Entering Frankland

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.

Frankland has a strict dress code policy, which means visitors should wear smart clothes (no vests, no low-cut tops, no shorts, no short dresses, no ripped clothing, no offensive slogans, no camouflage 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 Frankland. You will have to leave most of the things you have with you in a locker (1 coin refundable) 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 Nepacs. The centre is open on visiting days from 11:30am to 4:15pm.

Only toilet facilities are in use during this time. There will be no refreshments available during your visit and the childrens play area will not be available to use.

Family days

There are currently no family days being run.

Keep in touch with someone at Frankland

There are several ways you can keep in touch with someone during their time at Frankland.

Secure video calls

Secure video calling is available at this prison. Family and friends will need to download the Prison Video app, create an account, register all visitors and add the prisoner to their contact list.

Read more about how it works

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.

Email

You can send emails to someone in Frankland using the Email a Prisoner service.

You might also be able to attach photos and receive replies, depending on the rules at Frankland.

Letters

You can write at any time.

Include the persons name and prisoner number on the envelope.

If you do not know their prisoner number, contact Frankland.

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

You can not post or hand in anything for a prisoner in Frankland. Anything the prisoner needs must be ordered through the prison catalogues.

Friends and families 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.

Life at Frankland

Frankland 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 Frankland 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 County Durham Safeguarding Adults Inter-Agency Partnership.

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