Ministry Of Justice
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Book and plan your visit to Bedford prison
To visit someone in Bedford Prison you must:
- be on that persons visitor list
- book your visit in advance (usually 2 working days notice)
- have the required ID with you when you go
Contact Bedford 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 Bedford Prison
- somewhere to stay overnight
- meals
How to book family and friends visits
You can book your visit by telephone or by email. There is no online booking service available.
Telephone booking line: 01234 373 024
The booking line is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 12:30pm
Find out about call charges
Email: socialvisits.bedford@justice.gov.uk
To avoid multiple emails, please include the following in the email:
Prisoners name, Prison number (if known), Names of visitors, and preferred day of visit.
Visiting times:
- Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday: 2:15pm to 3:45pm
How to book legal and professional visits
Opening times are Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays.
Morning visiting times are:
- 9:30am to 10:30am
- 10:45am to 11:45am
Afternoon visiting times are:
- 2pm to 3pm
- 3:15pm to 4:15pm
Prison to Court Video Links (PCVLs)
Book by email: Legalvisits.bedford@justice.gov.uk Call: 01234 373 179 There is usually next day availability.
Legal/official visits
(Face to face)
Book by email: Legalvisits.bedford@justice.gov.uk Call: 01234 373 179 There is usually next day availability.
Legal/official visits
(Video)
Book by email: Legalvisits.bedford@justice.gov.uk Call: 01234 373 179 There is usually next day availability.
Getting to Bedford Prison
Bedford railway station is a 15-minute walk, or taxis are available at the station. The bus station is a 3-minute walk.
To plan your journey by public transport:
There is no visitor car parking available at Bedford Prison. There are car parks in the town centre a short walk away.
There is disabled access to the visitors centre and the prison. If possible, please let staff know of any additional needs before you arrive.
Entering Bedford Prison
All visitors, aged 16 or older must prove their identity before entering the prison. Read the list of acceptable forms of ID for all visitors..
All visitors must prove their identity. All adult visitors (18 and above) must prove their identity, with a government issued photo ID before entering prison. Regarding children, a birth certificate or red book is permitted.
Read the list of acceptable forms of ID for all visitors.
There are strict controls on what you can take into Bedford Prison. You will have to leave most of the things you have with you in a locker (you need a 1 coin). This includes pushchairs and car seats. Visitors must arrive at the visitor centre to use the lockers. The visits centre is the blue door to the left of the main gate.
You are then expected to check in at the main gate with your ID. Once inside the gate area you will be searched by a member of staff. There will also be a sniffer dog. You will be asked again if youre carrying any unauthorised articles before you enter the visits hall.
Visitors should dress sensibly. You may be turned away if you are wearing items like vests, low-cut tops, high-cut shorts or dresses, or clothing with offensive slogans.
You will be told the rules when booking and 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
The tea bar is open where a selection of basic drinks and snacks will be available. It is 10 per adult and 5 per child to spend in each session. You will have to bring this in coins only and in clear plastic bags.
The play area in the visitor centre is now open.
Keep in touch with someone at Bedford Prison
You may not be able to speak with someone at Bedford Prison during their first few days. This is because it can take up to 5 days to approve who they can be in touch with.
Prisoners do not have phones in their cells so they will always need to call you rather than you call them.
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.
Phone calls
Prisoners can phone anyone named on their list of friends and family. This list is checked by the public protection team.
You can also exchange voicemails using the Prison Voicemail service.
Authorised officers may listen to phone calls as a way of preventing crime and helping keep people safe.
You can send emails to someone in Bedford Prison using the Email a Prisoner service.
You might also be able to attach photos and receive replies, depending on the rules at Bedford Prison.
Letters
Include the persons full name and prisoner number (if you have it) on the envelope.
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
Prisoners at Bedford prison can buy permitted items from approved online retailers.
For other requests, contact Bedford Prison for more information on whats allowed.
If approved, make sure to include the persons name and prisoner number on the parcel.
All parcels will be opened and checked by officers.
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