GovWire

Book and plan your visit to Hindley

To visit someone in Hindley you must:

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

Prisoners can have up to 3 visitors over the age of 10 at a time, plus up to 3 children under 10. At least one visitor must be 18 or older at every visit.

They are allowed a minimum of 2 visits a month. More visits can be earned based on behaviour level.

Contact Hindley 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 Hindley
• somewhere to stay overnight
• meals

How to book family and friends visits

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

Booking line: 01942 663 234 or 01942 663 492
The booking lines are open Monday to Friday: 9am to midday and 1pm to 3pm
Find out about call charges

You can also book a social visit by email: Socialvisits.Hindley@justice.gov.uk

Visiting times:

• Visits run everyday: 2pm to 3:30pm

How to book legal and professional visits

The easiest way to book a legal or professional visit is by email: LegalVisits.Hindley@justice.gov.uk

Bookings can also be made by calling 01942 663 234 or 01942 663 492.

Legal visits booking lines are open 9am to midday and 1pm to 3pm

Visiting times:

• Monday to Friday: 2pm to 3pm and 3pm to 4pm

Getting to Hindley

Find Hindley on a map

The closest railway stations are Wigan North Western and Wigan Wallgate where you can catch a local bus to Hindley. There are also taxi ranks outside the stations.

To plan your journey by public transport:

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

There is a visitors car park to the left of the main gate.

Entering Hindley

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.

There are refreshments available to purchase during your visit. Visitors are allowed to bring up to 25 in change.

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 Partners of Prisoners (POPS).

There will be no refreshments available during your visit. The childrens play area is currently not available to use.

The centre is open every day from 12:30pm to 4:30pm.

Telephone: 01942 663 187
Find out about call charges

Family days

Family days are available throughout the year, spread between term-time and school holidays. These can only be booked via prisoner led application.

Keep in touch with someone at Hindley

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

Phone calls

Prisoners have phones in their cells and 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 Hindley using the Email a Prisoner service.

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

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

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 Hindley.

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 can apply for permission to receive one parcel from friends and family when they first arrive at Hindley. The items can then be handed in at the visitors centre before a visit.

Only specific items are allowed. Contact Hindley for more information.

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 Hindley

Hindley 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 Hindley 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 