GovWire

Book and plan your visit to Usk

To visit someone in Usk 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 Usk.

Contact Usk 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 Usk
• somewhere to stay overnight
• meals

How to book family and friends visits

You can book your visit online or by telephone.

Telephone booking line: 01291 673 730

The booking line is open: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 5pm to 7pm
Find out about call charges

Visiting Times:

• Tuesday: 2pm to 4pm
• Wednesday: 2pm to 4pm and 5pm to 7pm
• Thursday: 2pm to 4pm
• Friday: 2pm to 4pm
• Saturday: 2pm to 4pm
• Sunday: 2pm to 4pm

How to book legal and professional visits

Book legal visits by telephone.

Booking lines:
01291 671 730
Monday to Friday, 9am to 11am and 2pm to 4pm
Find out about call charges

Visiting times:

• Tuesday and Wednesday: 9am to midday

Getting to Usk

Find Usk on a map

The closest railway station is Newport. From there you can get a taxi or take the bus direct to Usk town.

To plan your journey by public transport:

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

There is a free visitors car park.

There is also a disabled visitors car parking area outside the prison.

Entering Usk

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.

Visitors must adhere to the prison dress code that applies, further details can be requested on your first visit.

There are strict controls on what you can take into Usk. You will have to leave most of the things you have with you in a locker 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.

Call the booking line if you have any questions about visiting.

Visiting facilities

There is no visitors centre at Usk.

Family days

Usk runs extra family day visits. Details of these visits can be given by emailing: Resettlement.usk@justice.gov.uk.

Keep in touch with someone at Usk

There are several ways you can keep in touch with a prisoner during their time at Usk.

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

You can request a secure video call with someone in this prison via the Prison Video app.

You will receive a notification when your request has been accepted.

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 during phone hours, which are 8am to 7pm, Monday to Friday, and 8am to 4:45pm on weekends. This list is approved by security and any new names must be checked and cleared before they are added.

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 Usk using the Email a Prisoner service.

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

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 Usk.

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 also send postal orders and cheques. These should be made payable to NOMS Agency and include the prisoners name and prisoner number on the back.

Gifts and parcels

Prisoners in Usk are given a facilities list which details items that can be sent to them by post. Contact Usk for more information on whats allowed.

Make sure to include the persons name and prisoner number on the parcel.

All parcels will be opened and checked by officers.

Life at Usk

Usk is committed to providing a safe and educational environment where prisoners can learn new skills to help them on release.

Security and safeguarding

Every prisoner at Usk 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.

Arrival and first night

When a prisoner first arrives at Usk, 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 theyre feeling and ask about any immediate health and wellbeing needs.

Induction

Each prisoner who arrives at Usk 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 280 prisoners live at Usk. Most live in shared cells across the 3 main wings, called A, B and C. Prisoners on the enhanced behaviour level can apply to live in the Comber Unit, which is a separate dormitory style unit. There are TVs in all rooms.

There are indoor and outdoor gym facilities offering a range of activities for prisoners of all physical abilities.

Usk has a diverse, multi-faith chaplaincy team providing support to prisoners.

Education and work

Prisoners have access to a broad programme of learning opportunities, ranging from

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