Ministry Of Justice
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Book and plan your visit to Featherstone
HMP Featherstone 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 Featherstone 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
You can book up to 28 days in advance.
Prisoners can have up to 3 adult visitors at a time (18 or over) plus children.
A person can have as many visits as they have visiting orders for. You can check this with the person you are going to visit.
Contact Featherstone 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 Featherstone
- somewhere to stay overnight
- meals
How to book family and friends visits
Featherstone 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 by telephone. There is no online booking service available.
Email: visitsbooking.westmidlands@justice.gov.uk
Booking line: 0300 060 6502
Monday to Friday, 9.15am to 4pm
Find out about call charges
Visiting times
- Tuesday to Thursday: 2pm to 4pm
- Saturday and Sunday: 2pm to 4pm
How to book legal and professional visits
There are currently no legal visits taking place.
Getting to Featherstone
The closest railway station is Wolverhampton, which is about 6 miles from the prison. There are regular buses from Wolverhampton city centre to Featherstone village but you will need to walk the last mile.
To plan your journey by public transport:
There is a visitors car park at the prison, including spaces for Blue Badge holders.
The Discharge Lounge (Oakwood) run a shuttle bus for 5 one way to the train station. Contact Featherstone to find out more.
Entering Featherstone
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 should dress appropriately. You may be turned away if you are wearing items like revealing clothing or clothing with offensive slogans.
There will be no refreshments available during your visit.
There are strict controls on what you can take into Featherstone. 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 Barnardos, where there are baby changing facilities available.
There will be no refreshments available during your visit and the childrens play area will not be available to use.
The centre is open daily, except Monday and Friday, from midday to 4:30pm.
Family days
There are currently no family days being run.
Keep in touch with someone at Featherstone
There are several ways you can keep in touch with someone during their time at Featherstone.
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 but these can only make outgoing calls 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 Featherstone using the Email a Prisoner service.
You might also be able to attach photos and receive replies, depending on the rules at Featherstone.
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 Featherstone.
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
You can only send items to people in Featherstone in exceptional circumstances. Prisoners can apply to the governor for permission.
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 HMPPS Incentives Policy, Annex F.
Life at Featherstone
Featherstone 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 Featherstone has a right to feel safe. The staff are responsible for their safeguarding and welfare at all times.
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