Ministry Of Justice
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Book and plan your visit to Wandsworth
Visiting rules may change if there is a COVID outbreak within the prison.
If you are unable to visit someone in prison you can still keep in touch.
You can also contact the Prisoners Families Helpline on 0808 808 2003. You will not be able to book a visit using this number.
To visit someone in Wandsworth 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 person can have. You can check this with Wandsworth.
Contact Wandsworth 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 Wandsworth
- somewhere to stay overnight
- meals
How to book family and friends visits
You can book your visit online or by telephone.
Visits booking line: 0300 060 6509
The booking line is open, Monday to Friday, 9:15am to 5pm
Find out about call charges
Visitors needing additional mobility support, please make us aware when booking your visit.
Visiting times
Monday to Friday: 1:30pm to 2:30pm and 3:30pm to 4:30pm
Saturday and Sunday: 9am to 10am, 10:30am to 11:30am, 1:30pm to 2:30pm and 3:15pm to 16:15pm
Visitors must arrive 30 minutes before the visit time.
How to book legal and professional visits
To book a legal visit please email LegalvisitsWandsworth@justice.gov.uk
Any visit needs to be booked 3 days in advance, at least.
We cannot book in advance by more than 1 week.
Legal visits are Monday to Thursday:
- 8:30am to 9:30am
- 10:30am to 11:30am
- 1:30pm to 2:30pm
- 3:30pm to 4:30pm
Getting to Wandsworth
The closest railways stations to Wandsworth are Wandsworth Town, Wandsworth Common and Earlsfield which are all about a mile away. Clapham Junction station is just over a mile away. Several local bus routes pass the prison.
To plan your journey by public transport:
If coming by car, use the postcode SW18 3HU for sat nav.
You will need to find parking outside of the prison. There is no visitor car park at the prison and most local roads are limited to permit holders.
Entering Wandsworth
On your first visit to Wandsworth, you will have your fingerprints taken for the security system. These will be used to confirm your identity on future visits.
You will also need to bring ID to every visit.
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.
Wandsworth has a family-friendly dress code which means visitors should dress appropriately. You may be turned away if you are wearing items like vests, low-cut tops, high-cut shorts or dresses or ripped jeans. Additionally, you cannot wear anything with offensive patterns or slogans. You will need to remove scarves, gloves, watches, sunglasses and hats (except religious head coverings) before you go in. Ask in the visitors centre if you have questions about the dress code.
There are currently no refreshments available during visits.
There are strict controls on what you can take into Wandsworth. 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.
Visiting facilities
There is a visitors centre run by the Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT) charity. Family and friends can relax, buy refreshments and get advice and support from the staff.
Email: wandsworth@prisonadvice.org.uk
Telephone: 020 8874 4377
Find out about call charges
There are lockers in the visitors centre to store your belongings. You will need a 1 coin for this.
Family days
Wandsworth holds monthly family days giving prisoners more time to spend with their children in a more relaxed setting.
They also host a monthly Homework Club for prisoners to help their children with homework.
Prisoners can apply for these visits.
Keep in touch with someone at Wandsworth
There are several ways you can keep in touch with a prisoner during their time at Wandsworth.
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.
Phone calls
Prisoners have phones in their rooms and are able to make outgoing calls. They have to buy phone credits to do this.
Phones do not accept incoming calls so they will always have to call you.
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.
You can send emails to someone in Wandsworth 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 Wandsworth.
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 Wandsworth.
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
Friends and family can drop off books, socks and underwear for prisoners at Wandsworth whenever the visitors centre is open. These should be left in the property drop box in the visitors centre.
Prisoners must apply for permission to receive any other items. They can do this using a kiosk.
They are given a list of approved items that can be handed in and can receive one parcel in the first 28 days of custody. After that, they w