Ministry Of Justice
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Book and plan your visit to Stoke Heath
HMP/YOI Stoke Heath is offering visits for family and friends. Visiting times and availability may change at short notice. You should contact the prison direct for any queries.
Now that regular COVID testing of people in the wider community has ended, you are no longer required to take a COVID test before coming to see someone for a visit, although we would still encourage you to do so.
We will continue to run social visits whilst it is safe to do so.
Visiting rules may change if there is an outbreak within the prison, this may include bringing back testing before visits for a short time to protect you, the person you are visiting and staff.
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 Stoke Heath you must:
- be on that persons visitor list
- book your visit at least 2 days in advance
- have the required ID with you when you go
At least one visitor must be 18 or older at every visit.
There are limits to the number of visits a person can have depending on their privilege level. You can check this with Stoke Heath.
Contact Stoke Heath 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 Stoke Heath
- somewhere to stay overnight
- meals
How to book family and friends visits
Stoke Heath 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 Stoke Heath or you can also register to use the secure video calls service. Booking line: 0300 060 6506
The booking line is open Monday to Friday, 9.15am to 4.00pm
Visiting times:
- Monday: 2:15pm to 3:45pm
- Tuesday: 2:15pm to 3:45pm
- Wednesday: 2:15pm to 3:45pm
- Thursday: 2:15pm to 3:45pm
- Saturday: 2:15pm to 3:45pm
- Sunday: 2:15pm to 3:45pm
Visitors must arrive prior to 2pm to be booked in.
How to book legal and professional visits
Booking line: 0300 060 6506
Legal and professional visits booking line is open: Monday to Friday, 9.15am to 4.00pm
Legal and professional visiting times:
- Monday to Friday: 9:30am to 11am
Getting to Stoke Heath
Stoke Heath is about 17 miles from the nearest station in Shrewsbury. There is a bus service from Shrewsbury to Market Drayton which stops about a mile from the prison.
To plan your journey by public transport:
There is a visitors car park at the prison, which includes spaces for Blue Badge holders.
Entering Stoke Heath
When you first arrive at Stoke Heath, you should check in at the visitors centre.
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 be searched by a member of staff. You may also be sniffed by security dogs.
Visitors should dress appropriately. You may be turned away if you are wearing items like revealing clothing or clothing with offensive slogans.
Stoke Heath has a family-friendly dress code which means visitors should dress appropriately. You cannot wear hooded clothing, coats and jackets, ripped jeans, padded clothing or head gear other than that worn for religious reasons. Additionally, you may be asked to remove boots, headbands or scarves during the search process.
There are strict controls on what you can take into Stoke Heath. Each adult visitor is allowed to take in:
- essential medication
- one nappy, wipes, dummy and bottle of milk for babies
You will have to leave everything else in a locker (you will need a 1 coin). Pushchairs and car seats can be left in the search area.
Refreshments are available in the visits hall.
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
The visitors centre is run by PACTs family services team can provide information, guidance and support to families and friends of prisoners. Ask in the visitors centre to learn more.
Refreshments are available in the visits hall during your visit. There is also a childrens play area available to use.
Family days
Family days are available throughout the year. These can only be booked via prisoner led applications.
Keep in touch with someone at Stoke Heath
There are several ways you can keep in touch with a prisoner during their time at Stoke Heath.
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 do not have phones in their cells 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. 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 Stoke Heath 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 Stoke Heath.
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 Stoke Heath.
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
People in Stoke Heath are given a list of approved items that can be sent to them under certain circumstances.
A prisoner can apply to receive a clothing parcel within the first 28 days of custody. This needs to be approved before items can be sent in.
A prisoner who is serving a life sentence or who has been in custody for 4 years can apply to receiv