Ministry Of Justice
Help us to improve this page. Give us your feedback in this 2-minute survey.
Book and plan your visit to Leicester prison
To visit someone in Leicester Prison you must:
- be on that persons visitor list
- 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 Leicester prison.
Contact Leicester Prison if you have other 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 Leicester Prison
- somewhere to stay overnight
- meals
How to book family and friends visits
Visits can be booked by:
- prisoner led application - prisoner submits an application form for a social visit to wing staff
- book your visit online
Visits Entitlements
- enhanced IEP prisoners 3 visits per month with an additional evening visit on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday evenings, (total of four)
- standard IEP & basic IEP prisoners 2 visits per month. Standard prisoners can use one of their visits for a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday evening visit
- remand Prisoners Up to 3 per week
Visiting times:
- Monday: 2pm to 4pm
- Tuesday: 2pm to 4pm and 5pm to 6:30pm
- Wednesday: 2pm to 4pm and 5pm to 6:30pm
- Thursday: 2pm to 4pm and 5pm to 6:30pm
- Friday: No Visits
- Saturday: 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm
- Sunday: 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm
- Bank holidays: no visits
How to book legal and professional visits
You can book your visit online or by email to hmpleicesterlegalvisits@justice.gov.uk
HMP Leicester has a large capacity available at short notice for visits via the video link system, however, face to face visits are still available and can be arranged again at short notice.
Visiting times:
- Monday: 9am to 6pm
- Tuesday: 9am to 6pm
- Wednesday: 9am to 6pm
- Thursday: 9am to 6pm
- Friday: 9am to 6pm
Visits are logged in hour slots, but you can have more than 1 slot if required please discuss your requirements with the Legal Visits booking member of staff.
Getting to Leicester Prison
Find Leicester Prison on a map
The closest railway station is Leicester.The prison is opposite Leicester Royal Infirmary (hospital) which is well signposted.
To plan your journey by public transport:
There is no car parking available at Leicester Prison but there are pay and display spaces nearby and in the city centre.
Entering Leicester 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.
Each adult visitor is allowed to take in a maximum of 20 in coins (notes are not allowed).
All visitors will need to be given a rub-down search, including children.
You may need to have your finger or thumb prints scanned (or an iris scan) as part of a security check. You may also be sniffed by security dogs.
Leicester Prison has a dress code policy, which means visitors should wear smart clothes (no vests, no low-cut tops, no shorts, no short dresses, no see-through clothing, no hoodies and no headwear, other than that worn for religious or medical reasons which may require a private search).
There are strict controls on what you can take into prison. You will have to leave most of the things you have with you in a locker or with security. This includes pushchairs, car seats, mobile phones and cameras.
Visitor conduct and expected behaviours are displayed on each table in the visiting hall. If you break the rules, your visit could be cancelled and you could be banned from visiting again.
Visiting facilities
A family-friendly visitors centre is run by the charity, Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT).
It has a childrens play area, drinks and snacks.
Family days
HMP Leicester in conjunction with PACT run Family Days at HMP Leicester which are significantly different from normal Social Visits that are run daily. Family Visits offer a more relaxed environment for both prisoners and visitors. The Family Days run to a theme such as Sports Day, Back to School, Christmas, and many more, during all Family Days there are activities on offer such as:
- group activities
- arts & crafts
- competitions
- games
- guest appearances from outside partner agencies such as football clubs etc
In addition to activities catering is offered by the Prison so visitors and prisoners do not need to purchase any refreshments as they are all provided, often in line with the days theme.
Family Days are held 4 times a year as a minimum and are advertised to both prisoners and families. Family Days are available to all prisoners irrespective of their Incentives Earned Privileges level.
Keep in touch with someone at Leicester Prison
You may not be able to speak with someone during their first few days. This is because it can take time to approve who they can be in touch with. But usually a PIN phone account is set up on the second day and then the prisoners can submit their contact list.
Phone calls
Prisoner do have prison PIN phones in their cells. They will always need to call you, rather than you call them. His Majestys Prison and Probation Service has a duty to ensure that prisoners can maintain contact with friends and family where this is in the best interests of both parties. The PIN phone system is one way of achieving this. All calls except those which are confidential (legal advisers as notified by the prisoner to the PIN phone clerk), courts, MPs, or Confidential Access organisations) are recorded but not all are monitored. There must be a justifiable reason before communications are monitored.
If you need to contact the prison, telephone: 0116 228 3000.
Prisoners can phone anyone named on their approved contact list of friends and family. This list is checked by security.
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.
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
Secure video calls at this prison can be requested by prisoners only.
You will receive a notification if a prisoner has requested a video call with you.
You can send emails to someone in Leicester Prison using the Email a Prisoner service.
Letters
You can write at any time.
Include the persons name and prison number on the envelope, under the address. If you do not know their prison number, contact Leicester.
Write your own name and address on the back of the envelope.
Paper and envelopes can be bought from canteen (the prison shop), so prisoners can write back.
All post, apart from legal letters, will be opened and checked by officers.
Send money and gifts
You can use the free and fast