GovWire

Book and plan your visit to Belmarsh

To visit someone in Belmarsh you must:

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

A visit can be booked up to 2 weeks in advance.

Contact Belmarsh 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 Belmarsh
• somewhere to stay overnight
• meals

How to book family and friends visits

Belmarsh is running a limited visits schedule. Booking is now available for family, significant others and friends.Visits are also happening differently than normal, observing strict guidelines, which must be followed.

We are currently limiting spaces to 36 visits per session. The tea bar and play area are back open as usual.

Property can now be handed in on a visit.

There is no longer a requirement to wear a face covering unless you wish to.

You can book your visit online.

You can book your visit by telephone. You can also register to use the secure video calls service. Booking line: 0208 331 4760 or 020 8331 4773
The booking line is open Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 3pm
Find out about call charges

You can also book by emailing Belmarsh.visits@justice.gov.uk

You can arrive up to 1 hour before the time of your visit to go through security and check in.

Parking is limited so please arrive with plenty of time to park or use local transport.

All visits must be booked in advance. Only those visitors whose details have been listed on the Prisoners Authorisation Contact List (as provided by the prisoner) and those who are named on the booking will be allowed entry into the prison.

Prison staff cannot add visitor(s) to a Prisoners Authorisation Contact List without the consent / authorisation of a Prisoner.

Visiting times:

• Tuesday to Thursday: 9:15am to 10:45am, 2:15pm to 3:45pm
• Friday: 9:15am to 10:45am
• Saturday: 9:30am to 11:30am, 2:15pm to 4:15pm
• Sunday: 2:15pm to 4:15pm

How to book legal and professional visits

You can book face-to-face legal visits by calling 0208 331 4750 or email legalvisits.belmarsh@justice.gov.uk.The booking line is open Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 3pm

Legal visiting times

• Tuesday to Thursday: 9:15am to 11:15am, 2:15pm to 4:15pm
• Friday: 9am to 10:30am
• Saturday, Sunday and Monday: Closed

Any authorised electronic equipment such as laptops, must have a visible factory printed serial number for entry. Please query any issues with the booking team.

There is no longer a requirement to wear a face covering unless you wish to.

To book legal visits via Videolink, email videolinkbelmarsh@justice.gov.uk

Getting to Belmarsh

Find Belmarsh on a map

The closest railway stations are Woolwich Arsenal and Plumstead. From Plumstead, you can walk to Belmarsh, or from Woolwich Arsenal you can take a bus.

To plan your journey by public transport:

• use Transport for London journey planner
• use National Rail Enquiries
• use Traveline for local bus times

There is a visitors car park with spaces for Blue Badge holders.

Entering Belmarsh

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. On your first visit, you will have your photo taken. You may have your fingerprints taken and an eye scan. You may also be sniffed by security dogs.

Belmarsh has a strict dress code policy, which means visitors should wear smart, family-friendly clothes (no ripped clothing, no vests, no low-cut tops, no shorts, no short dresses, no sports team clothing, no watches, only minimal jewellery, no offensive slogans and no headwear, other than that worn for religious reasons).

Refreshments are available during your visit.

There are strict controls on what you can take into Belmarsh. You will have to leave most of the things you have with you in a locker (you will need a 1 coin) 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 family-friendly visitors centre run by the Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT).

Visitors should arrive to the visitors centre to book in for a visit. There are currently no refreshments or childrens play facilies available.

Telephone: 0208 317 3888
Email: belmarsh@prisonadvice.org.uk

Family days

Belmarsh is running 1 family day session per month.

Keep in touch with someone at Belmarsh

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

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

Video call timings

• Tuesday to Thursday: 11:30am to 12:00pm, 4:30pm to 5pm
• Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: Closed

Phone calls

Prisoners have phones in their rooms but will always have to call you. They have to buy phone credits to do this. The phones are inactive after 10pm, but available at many times during the day.

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. This can take longer depending on individual cases.

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 Belmarsh using the Email a Prisoner service.

Letters

You can write at any time.

Include the persons name and prisoner number (or date of birth) on the envelope. You must also write your own name and address on the back of the envelop

View the original news story