Ministry Of Justice
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Book and plan your visit to Wetherby
To visit someone in Wetherby you must:
- be on that persons visitor list
- book your visit at least 2 working days in advance
- have the the required ID with you when you go
All visits are 90 minutes long.
Contact Wetherby 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
- somewhere to stay overnight
- meals
How to book family and friends visits
You can book your visit by calling 01937 544207. The booking line is open Monday to Thursday.Bookings must be made 48 hours in advance (weekends not included). Find out about call charges.
Visiting times:
- Monday to Thursday from 6:30pm to 8pm
- Saturday and Sunday from 9:30am to 11am and 2pm to 3:30pm
We occasionally run themed visits, such as grandparents, child or siblings only visits. Email Familyevents.Wetherby@justice.gov.uk or check our Twitter page for upcoming events.
How to book legal and professional visits
You can book a legal visit by emailing Legalvisits.Wetherby@justice.gov.uk.Bookings must be made 48 hours in advance (weekends not included)
Legal visit times:
- Monday from 1:45pm to 2:45pm and 3:15pm to 4:15pm
- Tuesday to Thursday from 8:45am to 9:45am and 10:15am to 11:15am
Getting to Wetherby
The closest railway stations are Leeds and York, where you can catch local buses to Wetherby town centre. Wetherby YOI is a 15 minute walk from the town, or you can take a taxi.
To plan your journey by public transport:
There is a visitors car park at Wetherby, including spaces for Blue Badge holders.
Entering Wetherby
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 are given a pat-down search, including children.
Refreshments are available from vending machines in the visits hall.
You can use a locker for any personal items that are not allowed into the visiting area. Youll need to bring a 1 coin if you want to use a locker.
An officer will tell you the rules at the start of your visit. If you break the rules, your visit could be cancelled and you could be banned from visiting again.
Keep in touch with someone at Wetherby
You may not be able to speak to someone at Wetherby during their first few days. This is because it can take time to approve who they can contact by phone.
Young people have phones in their rooms and they will always need to call you rather than you call them. However, as a parent or carer you will be given a phone number for your young persons caseworker (during the first week) so that you can contact them if you have concerns.
Phone calls
Every person arriving at Wetherby is given 2 credit for telephone calls.
A person in Wetherby can only phone you if you are named on their list of friends and family. This list is checked by security.
Young people have a phone in their rooms and are most likely to call you during their free time (association time) from 6:30pm to 8pm.
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.
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
Only someone in Wetherby can request secure video calls at HMYOI Wetherby.
You will receive a notification if someone has requested a video call with you.
You can send emails to someone in Wetherby using the email a prisoner service.
You might also be able to attach photos and receive replies over email, depending on the rules at Wetherby.
Letters
Include the persons name and prison number on the envelope.
If you do not know their prison number, contact Wetherby.
All post apart from legal letters is opened and checked by officers.
Young people in Wetherby can post 2 letters a week for free. They need to buy stamps if they want to post more than 2 letters.
Family and friends can also post extra stamps to their young person.
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
Each young person is given a list of approved items that can be sent to them as gifts.
Approved items might include:
- clothing (no logos of sports teams, hoods)
- footwear (no air pockets in the sole)
- sealed CDs and DVDs
- books
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.
Contact Wetherby for more information on the gifts that are allowed.
All parcels will be opened and checked by officers.
Life at Wetherby
Wetherby is committed to providing a safe, decent and educational environment where young people are encouraged and cared for by professional staff.
Security and safeguarding
Every young person at Wetherby has a right to feel safe. The staff at Wetherby 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 visit the Prisoners Families helpline website.<