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Oakwood Prison Information

• Accommodation: The prison provides multiple residential units with individual cells or shared accommodation for inmates. The cells are equipped with basic amenities, including beds, personal storage, and sanitation facilities.
• Education and Vocational Training: Oakwood Prison offers a comprehensive range of educational programs and vocational training opportunities. Inmates have access to courses that promote literacy, numeracy, and essential life skills. Vocational training programs are also available to help inmates develop employable skills and enhance their chances of successful reintegration into society.
• Work Opportunities: Inmates at Oakwood Prison have access to various work opportunities within the prison, including maintenance, cleaning, kitchen, and other designated roles. These work activities aim to develop skills, foster discipline, and instill a sense of responsibility.
• Healthcare: Oakwood Prison has an on-site healthcare unit staffed with medical professionals who provide primary healthcare services to prisoners. Mental health support, substance abuse programs, and specialized medical care are also available.
• Family Contact: The prison recognizes the importance of maintaining family relationships and facilitates visits and contact with family members, subject to specific guidelines and regulations.
• Resettlement Support: Oakwood Prison offers pre-release planning and support to help inmates prepare for their eventual release. This includes assistance with accommodation, employment, and access to community-based support services to facilitate a successful transition back into society.

Contact Information

Booking a visit to oakwood prison.

Unlimited Prison Phone Calls Package

• Valid Passport
• Valid Photographic
• Driving Licence (full or provisional)
• Citizen Card
• Senior Citizens Bus Pass Travel Card (issued by Scottish Government)
• Utility bill
• Council tax bill
• Benefit book
• Bank statement
• other letter from official source

• Contact Halow
• 0121 707 1008

Oakwood Family Pathway Centre

HMP Oakwood Family Pathway Centre

Hmp oakwood family pathway centre is now run in-house and no longer in partnership with halow (birmingham).  you can still contact the centre using the telephone number on this page..

Examples of our work remain on our website for information.

Visits booking line & how to book a visit

At HMP Oakwood prisoners are given the opportunity to book their own visits through the N-Force System also known as the Kiosk. Visits can be booked up to a maximum of 14 days in advance, and at least 24 hours in advance.

The benefits of using the N-Force system:

• No more waiting for a Visiting Order to arrive in the post
• Visitors don’t have to spend time on a phone line trying to book a visit
• Quick and simple to use
• Touch screen technology, to assist those with difficulty
• Information protected by fingerprint and password

Contact Information

Tel: 01902 791 436 01902 799980 (answer machine service)

Prison Numbers Main Prison Operator: 01902 799700 Family Support Help line: 01902 799776 Family Pathway Centre: 01902 791426 Safer Custody: 01902 799991

Other Useful Numbers

Offender’s families helpline: 0808 808 2003 Frank, friendly confidential drug advice: 0800 77 66 00 APVU for claiming travel: 0845 300 1423 Family Live (Parent Line): 0808 800 222 Citizens Advice Bureau: 0870 120 2450 Child Support Agency: 08457 133133 Samaritans : 0845 909090

Local Bus / Train information

Bus The bus servicing the local area is run by Arriva Buses and is the number 70, running from Wolverhampton to Cannock. Pick up points in Wolverhampton are Lichfield Street, Cleveland Street and Stafford Street and run 7 days a week. Exact bus times can be found on the Arrive bus website www.arrivabus.co.uk

The bus stop is situated on New Road, Featherstone. Once off the bus there is approximately a half a mile walk continuing in the direction that the bus was traveling. HMP Oakwood is situated on Oaks Drive which will be on the right hand side. Walk down Oaks Drive and the Family Pathways Centre for HMP Oakwood is the White building.

Train The nearest train station is Wolverhampton train station which is serviced by Arriva Wales, London Midland, Virgin Trains and Cross County train companies. Exact train times can be found a www.nationalrail.co.uk .

The train station is just over 6 miles away and the on going/ return journey can be completed by bus or taxi.

Taxi Local Taxi companies include; Central Taxis- 01902 575757 Rainbow Taxis- 01902 311118 West Side Radio Cars- 01902 772727

From M6 Exit at Junction 11, at the roundabout take the A460 towards the M54 and Featherstone. Drive 1.2 miles and at the cross roads with the traffic lights take the right hand turning on to New Road, HMP Prisons should be sign posted. Drive 1.2 miles and turn left on to Oaks Drive. The car park for HMP Oakwood can be found by following the one way system and taking the right hand turning on to the visitor car parks. The Family Pathways Centre for HMP Oakwood is the White building.

From M54 Exit at Junction 1 towards the Featherstone and Cannock. Drive 1.2 miles and at the cross roads with the traffic lights take the left hand turning on to New Road, HMP Prisons should be sign posted. Drive 1.2 miles and turn left on to Oaks Drive. The car park for HMP Oakwood can be found by following the one way system and taking the right hand turning on to the visitor car parks. The Family Pathways Centre for HMP Oakwood is the White building.

Help with costs of prison visits

You can apply online for help with prison visiting costs at  https://www.gov.uk/help-with-prison-visit  

Centre staff can also provide information.

Our Facilities

Access to community agencies.

Yes, Available in the visitors’ centre

Baby Changing Facilities

yes in both male and female toilets

Yes, The Cafe is open Monday to Sunday between 12.30 - 14.30.

Children's Activities

Yes, Available Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons and during School Holidays and Bank Holidays.

Dedicated help & advice line

The visitors centre can be contacted on 01902 791 426 or 01902 799 980 (Answer Machine available), we will be happy to assist you.

Disabled Toilets

Yes: unisex

Family Support

Yes including Father Baby Bonding, Partners days, Children's Days.

Induction loop system

Yes Available

Information & Advice

Available In visitors centre, a £1 deposit is required which is refundable.

New Visitor welcome packs

Yes, Every family is offered a Welcome Pack or introduction. We also have slips with the main information on for you.

One to one meetings

Yes There is always someone to speak to with your concerns, either in person or over the phone.

Parking Facilities

Yes including disabled parking.

Prayer Room

Yes and religious items, such bibles, Quran's, and Kirpans.

Sign Posting

Yes, Information station, staff on hand to assist in the Visitors’ Centre.

Toilets and Baby Changing facilities in the Visitors’ Centre.

Wheelchair Access

Yes and an onsite wheelchair that can be used.

Family Days

Yes we have Family Days, Childrens days to support prisoners and families maintain family ties.

• The weekly online and monthly printed national newspaper for prisoners and detainees

Search articles and comments

Hmp oakwood.

• Inside Time Reports
• 13th December 2014
• Prison Visit

Prison information

Address: HMP OAKWOOD Oaks Drive, Featherstone, Wolverhampton, WV10 7PQD

Switchboard: 01902 799 776 Managed by: G4S Region: West Midlands Category: Male Link to:  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/oakwood-prison & https://hmpoakwood.co.uk

Description

Oakwood is a privately run male prison in Featherstone, West Midlands.

Visit Booking: On-line Use this online service to book a social visit to a prisoner in England or Wales you need the:

• prisoner number
• prisoner’s date of birth
• dates of birth for all visitors coming with you

The prisoner must add you to their visitor list before you can book a visit.

You’ll get an email confirming your visit. It takes 1 to 3 days.

ID: Every visit

Acceptable forms of ID

Search reports

IMB Reports

Prison Inspectorates Reports

Probation Service Reports

Prisons and Probations Ombudsman

Search the InsideTime library

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If you have any information that you would like to be included or see anything that needs updating, contact Gary Bultitude at  [email protected]

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hi my name is kayliegh chapman my brother got moved to your prision yeastady with none of hes belongings from northumberland david mocheal chapman 09.02.1988 is they any cloething i culd post down asap please

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Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

21 April 1926 to 8 September 2022

• News releases
• / News releases
• / HMP Oakwood - safe prison with prisoners given tru...

HMP Oakwood - safe prison with prisoners given trust and responsibility

Read the report: HMP Oakwood

HMP Oakwood, England’s largest prison, near Wolverhampton, was found to have a culture of respectful treatment and high expectations of prisoners.

Inspectors from HM Inspectorate of Prisons visited the prison – which holds nearly 2,100 men and is run by G4S – in May 2021. Charlie Taylor, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, said Oakwood occupied a relatively small site. It had opened as a category C training prison in 2012 and had been well-maintained and still looked clean and new, though half the population shared overcrowded cells.

A large proportion of prisoners at Oakwood are serving more than four years and 10% are on indeterminate sentences. Around a quarter are convicted sex offenders and half the overall population is assessed as posing a high risk of harm to others. Despite this, Mr Taylor said, “the prison was a safe and respectful place.” Oakwood was assessed as a safe prison.

“I was consistently struck by the positive way that prisoners talked about the prison, welcoming the levels of trust that they were given and describing, with very few exceptions, a professional and supportive staff team. “Even those who were on the basic regime, and were still subjected to protracted time locked in their cells because of COVID-19 restrictions, praised the prison. Many who had spent years moving round the secure estate told me it was the best prison they had been to.”

Prison leaders had a clear set of priorities for further development when COVID-19 pandemic restrictions are lifted.

On a less positive note, Ofsted inspectors assessed that the performance of the education provider was disappointing. In 2020, as lockdowns were imposed, there were unnecessary delays in producing any sort of in-cell learning and there had been no face-to-face education when restrictions were lifted in the summer of that year. There were also inexplicable delays with the assessment of the learning needs of new prisoners. Mr Taylor added: “At the time of the [2021] inspection, the provider was beginning to open classrooms and workshops, but progress was slow.”

At the last inspection,  in 2018, inspectors commented on the lack of programmes to address the behaviour of sex offenders, so it was disappointing, Mr Taylor said, “to see that there was still nothing in place despite these prisoners making up a quarter of the population.” Inspectors were also concerned that the governance and practice of use of force was not good enough.

However, inspectors were impressed by an extensive network of Prisoner Led Initiatives (PLI).

“Without direct staff supervision, prisoners ran and organised a workshop that built tables, benches, bird boxes and hanging baskets that were sold to the local community. PLI were also responsible for the maintenance of the grounds and a market garden that grew food for the prison and sold plants and vegetables.”

Mr Taylor added:

“Not only had PLI been able to support the most vulnerable prisoners, but those who were leading the activities told me that it had given real meaning to their lives.”

Overall, Mr Taylor said:

“COVID-19 restrictions meant that prisoners at Oakwood were still locked in their cells for too long each day and there was not yet enough access to work or training, but if momentum is maintained, I am confident that the prison will continue to make progress when the pandemic is over. The prison has a friendly and positive atmosphere in which people are treated with respect and expectations are high. The governor and his staff are determined to maintain the levels of trust and responsibility that are given to prisoners, because they are committed to the rehabilitation of the men in their care. Staff and prisoners should be proud of what they have achieved.”

– End –

Notes to editors

• Read the HMP Oakwood report , published on 3 September 2021.
• HM Inspectorate of Prisons is an independent inspectorate, inspecting places of detention to report on conditions and treatment, and promote positive outcomes for those detained and the public.
• HMP Oakwood opened on 24 April 2012, as a category C men’s prison holding up to 1,605 prisoners. In 2017, it increased its capacity to 2,106.
• In this inspection we identified eight examples of notable positive practice.
• This inspection took place between 17 and 28 May 2021.
• Please contact John Steele at [email protected] or on 07880 787452 if you would like more information.
• Accessibility statement
• Privacy notice
• Archived website

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Visiting the prison

Booking a visit - domestic visits (Family & Friends)

Prisoners are responsible for booking their own visits; this is done by using an application on the Central Management System (CMS) – accessed via touchscreen computer terminals that are located on each unit in the establishment. Once a visit has been approved it is up the individual prisoner to inform his family and friends of the date and time of the visit.

The maximum time a visit can be booked is 14 days in advance and the minimum is 3 days in advance.

Prisoners can book up to 3 adult visitors per session and 3 children less than 18 Years of age. However, if the child is over 17 they will be classed as an adult.

It is the responsibility of the prisoner to book and inform friends and family of the time and date of visits.

Staff are not responsible for booking or informing family and friends of visits or cancellation of visits.

It is also the responsibility of the prisoner to inform visitors of correct identification requirements as well as other visit regulations, however visitors are encouraged to check the website for further details.

For sending correspondence / emails to your family or friend in prison, you can take advantage of the emailaprisoner.com system. Please log on to https://www.emailaprisoner.com and follow the instructions.

Domestic visitors’ identification

All visitors to closed prisons, both Adults and Children, whether visiting for social or official purposes must be required to prove their identity on Reception. (Children’s birth certificates are suitable to prove the name and date of birth).

Two separate forms of up-to-date identification will be required to gain entry to the prison, including one photographic identification and two proof of address:

• Driving Licence - Acceptable on its own if photograph and the address matches the address provided by the prisoner on CMS.
• Passport - Including foreign passports and time expired passports where the photograph is still recognisable.
• Bus Pass (elderly only) - Must have been issued by the Local Authority. Photograph must match.
• Student / Employers I.D. - Must clearly show the name of the visitor and educational establishment / employer. Photograph must match.
• Citizen Card - A Citizen Card is an official UK ID / proof of age card recognised as such by the Home Office. Obtained online. A Standard application costs £15 and takes 21 days (card posted by Royal Mail 2nd class); an Urgent application costs £30 and takes 1-2 workingdays (subject to verification; card posted by Special Delivery guaranteed Next Day by 1pm). you can find out more at www.citizencard.com. Must be official, the photograph must match.

Two Proof of address can include: (No more than 6 Months old)

• Utility bill
• Benefit book / Letter
• Council tax/tax credit award
• Household bill or statement with the address on

For other forms of ID that may be acceptable please ensure you contact the prison Visits Booking line for advice.

If a visitor is unable to produce ID as above, staff may accept combinations of two or more of the following below, but must also include two proof of addresses:

• ‘Birth/marriage certificate
• ‘Rail or bus pass with photo
• ‘Cheque book or credit/debit card (counts as one, do not accept as two)
• ‘Employer’s pass or ID or student ID card not acceptable under paragraph 2
• ‘Young person’s ‘proof of age’ card
• ‘Trade Union or National Students’ union membership card
• ‘Library card, if it has a signature that can be compared with the visitor’s signature
• ‘Rent book
• ‘Foreign identity or resident’s card (other than EC ID cards acceptable in their own right)
• ‘Expired documents from the above lists that appear satisfactory in other ways
• ‘ID Card from Prison Visitors Organisations

You may be refused entry if you do not have sufficient ID. This will be decided by the Visits Manager on duty. The Director has the discretion to accept any form of identification that clearly identifies the visitor in a satisfactory way.

Having had ID checked all visitors will have their photograph taken, fingerprints and hand stamped with UV ink.

All adults and children over 10 years of age will have their finger-prints taken.

Booking a visit - legal/officials only

Our dedicated booking line is staffed: Monday to Friday between 0830-1630 hrs.

Official visitors can book by phone or via email.

[email protected]

To book by phone call: +44(0) 151 522 2196 / +44(0) 151 522 2047

For non-confidential correspondence to your clients, you can take advantage of the emailaprisoner.com system. Please log on to https://www.emailaprisoner.com/ and follow the instructions.

Legal visitors’ identification

The forms of identification set out below are acceptable. If the visitor does not possess such identification then the forms of identification for social visitors are also acceptable. If in doubt, Visits staff may telephone the visitor’s employer (e.g. solicitors office, barrister’s chambers, probation department) to check the visitor is bona fide. Get the telephone number from the phone book or direct enquiries, not from the visitor:

• Members of either House of Parliament: Houses of Parliament ID card.
• Legal Advisers: identity card issued by firm/ chambers, or introductory letter on headed letter paper of firm/chambers.
• Police, Immigration and Customs Officers: warrant card.
• Probation Officers: probation department ID card.
• Staff from other prisons, HQ or Home Office Staff: prison service security pass or home office pass.
• Consular Officials: consular ID card.
• Other public officials: departmental or local authority pass or ID card (but only if it shows the name of the visitor and the name of the department or local authority).
• Social workers: identification cards.
• Researchers: Security Photo pass or official letter (visits must be pre-arranged) and
• NHS: photographic identification badge/card. Independent sector healthcare photographic identification badge/card.

Visitors Centre

Safe Ground is the organisation responsible for the day to day running of the Visitors Centre at HMP Altcourse where our team is working hard to create a space and a service which is welcoming, comfortable, efficient, and conducive to meaningful engagement. In time, visitors also have the opportunity to access therapeutic spaces facilitated by a specialist member of the team based on site.  Alongside our day-to-day delivery of the Visitors Centre service and family support work, Safe Ground is delivering therapeutic group work programmes to men in custody. Together, our services represent the movement of the establishment towards a model of best practice in implementing ground-breaking person-centred interventions. For more information visit  Safe Ground - Social Interest Group - Social Interest Group

Visiting times until 1 st October

Visitors will need to arrive at the visits centre at least one hour prior to the visiting time in order to be processed in time for the visit to commence.

Monday to Friday

13:30-14:30 (BOOKING - VISITORS TO BOOK IN 12.15pm)

15:15-16:15 (BOOKING - VISITORS TO BOOK IN 14:15hrs)

18:15-19:15 (BOOKING - VISITORS TO BOOK IN 17:00hrs)

09:15-10:15 (BOOKING - VISITORS TO BOOK IN 08:15hrs)

11:00-12:00 (BOOKING - VISITORS TO BOOK IN 10:00hrs)

14:00-16:00 (BOOKING - VISITORS TO BOOK IN 13:00hrs)

13:45-14:45 (BOOKING - VISITORS TO BOOK IN 12:45hrs)

15:30-16:30 (BOOKING - VISITORS TO BOOK IN 14:30hrs)

Visiting times from 2nd October

Official Visits Monday to Friday

AM Sessions

1 st Session. Solicitor Arrive at search area 08:30. Visit Time 09:00 to 10:00

2 nd Session. Solicitor Arrive at search area 10:00. Visit Time 10:30 to 11:30

PM Sessions

1 st Session. Solicitor Arrive at search area 14:00. Visit Time 14:30 to 15:30

2 nd Session. Solicitor Arrive at search area 15:30. Visit Time 16:00 to 17:00

NB Duration of each session is 1 Hour. A request for an extended 2 Hour session can be authorised subject to availability.

On arrival Legal Visitors do not need to go to the Visits Centre. Report directly to the main reception with your ID.

Social Visits Monday to Sunday

1 st Session. Visitor Arrives in VC 08:00. Visitor comes through search area 08:30. Visit Time 09:00 to 10:00.

2 nd Session. Visitor Arrives in VC 09:30. Visitor comes through search area 10:00. Visit Time 10:30 to 11:30.

1 st Session. Visitor Arrives in VC 13:30. Visitor comes through search area 14:00. Visit Time 14:30 to 15:30.

2 nd Session. Visitor Arrives in VC 15:00. Visitor comes through search area 15:30. Visit Time 16:00 to 17:00.

Purple Video Visits

Purple Visits will take place on a Saturday and Sunday only and the times are the same as the Social Visits Sessions and will be booked in the usual way.

All of the above Visiting Times will come into effect from the 2 nd October 2023.

Visits Staff retain discretion to accept any other forms of identification, singly or in combination, that clearly identify the visitor in a satisfactory way.

The following list of items must not be brought into or taken out of the prison by staff or visitors:

• Explosives and other dangerous items
• Any item of contraband such as illegal or unauthorised substances (including steroids etc)
• Any article intended for a prisoner
• Weapons of any description including imitation weapons
• Alcohol (except Communion wine brought in by Chaplaincy staff)
• Aerosols (e.g. spray deodorant / hairspray)
• Cans (e.g. drinks can)
• Metal Cutlery (beyond P4)
• Metal nail files
• Civilian Clothing (if in uniform)
• Spare uniform
• Chewing Gum
• Mobile Phones and associated parts (unless authorised under the Offender Management Act
• Pagers (unless authorised)
• Cameras (unless authorised under the Offender Management Act )
• Video Cameras (unless authorised under the Offender Management Act
• Any other sound or picture recording devices (unless authorised under the OMA)
• DVD recorder / players
• Non healthcare / prescribed drugs
• Tobacco, lighters, matches or any other smoking paraphernalia
• Large amounts of money
• Unofficial tools e.g. personal screwdrivers
• Tool repair kits

How we collect and use your data

Learn more Close

COLLECTION OF DATA

In order to facilitate your visit to one of our prisons and to ensure that we deliver appropriate levels of security and safety and prevent crime, for identification purposes we shall collect your name, date of birth, address, a biometric template of your fingerprint and a photograph. A series of reference points from a finger print are collected, allowing a unique identification pattern. We do not collect or hold actual fingerprints.

Our prisons operate CCTV and staff may wear Body Worn Video Recording Equipment. We do not collect biometric readings or photographs of children under 16, however with the use of CCTV, images may routinely be captured.

DATA SHARING

We will only share your information with a third party where there is a legal obligation to do so.

RIGHTS OF ACCESS, CORRECTION, ERASURE AND RESTRICTION

You have legal rights in connection with personal information. Under certain circumstances, by law you have the right to:

• Request access to your personal information (commonly known as a “data subject access request”). This enables you to receive a copy of the personal information we hold about you and to check that we are lawfully processing it.
• Request correction of the personal information that we hold about you. This enables you to have any incomplete or inaccurate information we hold about you corrected.
• Request erasure of your personal information. This enables you to ask us to delete or remove personal information where there is no good reason for us continuing to process it. You also have the right to ask us to delete or remove your personal information where you have exercised your right to object to processing.
• Object to processing of your personal information by us or on our behalf in certain situations.
• Request the restriction of processing of your personal information. This enables you to ask us to suspend the processing of personal information about you, for example if you want us to establish its accuracy or the reason for processing it.

DATA RETENTION

We keep personal data in accordance with our clients’ and Sodexo’s retention procedures. These retention periods depend on the nature of the information (e.g. we apply different retention periods to different type of information such as CCTV and your visitor record), and may be subject to change.

If you have any questions or concerns about how long we retain your personal data, please contact the Data Protection Officer using the details below.

FURTHER ADVICE / GUIDANCE

To exercise your rights, you can contact us by writing to us at the following address: [email protected] or email the Global Data Protection Office at the following email address: [email protected] stating your surname, first name and the reason for your request. We will most likely ask you for additional information in order to identify you and to enable us to deal with your request

You also have the right to contact the Information Commissioner’s Office and file a complaint. ( https://ico.org.uk/concerns/ )

Latest News

Ways to stay in touch... .

HMP Oakwood, General Information

HMP Oakwood is a new prison. It opened on 24 April 2012 and provides places for 2106 category C male prisoners, making it one of the largest prisons in England and Wales. It is operated by G4S and became operational on the 24th April 2012. It is located next to the existing HMP Featherstone and HMP Brinsford near Wolverhampton. It is part of the West Midlands region and the #1 governor is John McLaughlin, who has been in post since May 2013.

Accommodation

• Ash- Vulnerable prisoner population
• Beech- General population and induction
• Cedar- General population
• Douglas- Lifer/long-term population (enhanced)
• Elm- Drug Support Unit
• Fir- Care and separation unit (segregation )

Return in Oakwood

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• Crime, justice and law
• Prisons and probation

Featherstone Prison

Featherstone is a men’s prison in the village of Featherstone, near Wolverhampton.

Help us to improve this page. Give us your feedback in this 2-minute survey .

Book and plan your visit to Featherstone

To visit someone in Featherstone you must:

• be on that person’s 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 14 days in advance.

Prisoners can have up to 3 adult visitors at a time (18 or over) plus children.

A prisoner can have as many visits as they have visiting orders for. You can check this with the prisoner 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

How to book family and friends visits

You can book your visit online or by telephone.

Telephone booking line: 0300 060 6502 Find out about call charges

The booking line is open:

• Monday, Wednesday and Friday: midday to 5pm
• Tuesday and Thursday: 9am to 5pm

Telephone bookings can be made up until 5pm, two days prior to a visit.

If you have any questions you can email [email protected] , however they are not able to book a visit.

For general visits queries, not booking requests, you can also contact PACT on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from midday to 5pm on 01902 70 3254 Find out about call charges

We also have a visitor’s centre website you can visit on: http://featherstonevisits.co.uk/

Visiting times

• Tuesday: 2pm to 4pm
• Wednesday: 2pm to 4pm
• Thursday: 2pm to 4pm
• Saturday: 2pm to 4pm
• Sunday: 2pm to 4pm

How to book legal and professional visits

You can book your legal visit by telephone using the booking line number, 0300 060 6502. Find out about call charges

Legal visits:

• Tuesday and Thursday: 9:30am to 11:30am The latest arrival time is 10:30am

HMP Featherstone operates paperless visits and legal visitors may bring in plug in fire sticks or similar devices to access paperwork which will be securely printed in the visits room. Legal visits staff will provide stationery for legal visitors to use.

Laptops may be brought in but only if the Wi-Fi and camera is disabled. Should a legal visitor have a question about bringing in any documents that are required to be brought in they may contact either 01902 703 264 or 01902 703 048 for approval. Please note this number is not manned all day. Find out about call charges

Getting to Featherstone

Find Featherstone on a map

Car: From Wolverhampton take the A449 northbound – there is a visitor’s car parking facility at the prison.

Bus: Take number 70 from Stand AC to Cannock. Depart the bus at Honeysuckle Drive, Featherstone. Then walk along New Road towards the Prison (approx. 25 minutes). The Visitors’ Centre is well signposted.

Train: The Nearest Railway Station is 6 miles away in Wolverhampton and you can complete the rest of journey by bus or taxi.

Shuttle Bus: A low-cost shuttle bus service is available 7 days a week. To learn more about this regular service, speak to a member of staff by calling: 01902 799787, or email: [email protected]

To plan your journey by public transport:

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

There is a free visitors car park.

There are disabled visitors spaces in our visitors car park.

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

For security, health and safety reasons, some prisons have a specific dress code for visitors and others have a more relaxed policy, making assessments on a case-by-case basis. At the time we compiled this information, HMP Featherstone’s guidelines were as follows:

• modest dress
• no work clothes (including uniforms and trousers with  multiple pockets)
• no sports shirts or football shirts
• no jumpers or shirts with hoods
• no mobile phones
• no offensive logos
• no sunglasses or headscarves unless worn for religious reasons
• no ripped jeans
• no vest tops
• no short skirts or dresses, they must be knee length

What can I bring in for my children?

You may bring in:

• milk powder
• prescribed medication

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.

• there are strict controls on what you can take into HMP Featherstone. You will have to leave most of the things you have with you in a locker in the visitors’ centre or in your car
• each adult visitor is permitted to bring in £20 in coins only, for purchasing refreshments - notes are not permitted.

Call our visits centre if you have any questions about visiting 01902 70 3254 or email them on  [email protected]

Visiting facilities

There is a visitors centre run by PACT where there are baby changing facilities available.

Refreshments are available to purchase in our visits centre and in the visits room. Each adult visitor is permitted to bring in £20 in coins only, for purchasing refreshments. Notes are not permitted.

The centre is open daily, except Monday and Friday, from midday to 4:30pm.

Family days

High Featherstone run 12 family visits a year. Details on how these visits run can be found by contacting the PACT team on 01902 70 3254.

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

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

You can request a secure video call with someone in this prison via the Prison Video app.

You will receive a notification when your request has been accepted.

Read more about how it works ###Phone calls Prisoners have phones in their cells 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.

You can write at any time.

Include the person’s 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 prisoners 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 prisoners 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.

For further information about what to do when you are worried or concerned about someone in prison visit the Prisoners’ Families helpline website .

Featherstone also trains prisoners to be ‘listeners’ for those who need support during difficult times.

Arrival and first night

When someone first arrives at Featherstone, they will be able to contact a family member by phone. This could be quite late in the evening, depending on the time they arrive. All cells in the first night centre have phones that can be used at any time.

They will get to speak to someone who will check how they’re feeling and ask about any immediate health and wellbeing needs.

They will be checked on regularly throughout their first 24 hours at Featherstone to make sure they are supported through their induction.

Each prisoner who arrives at Featherstone gets an induction that lasts about a week. They will meet professionals who will help them with:

• health and wellbeing, including mental and sexual health
• any substance misuse issues, including drugs and alcohol
• personal development in custody and on release, including skills, education and training
• other support (sometimes called ‘interventions’), such as managing difficult emotions

Everyone also finds out about the rules, fire safety, and how things like calls and visits work.

All new prisoners will be given a key worker who will come and get to know them.

Accommodation

Around 690 prisoners live at Featherstone across 7 house units. There is a mixture of single and shared cells.

Facilities include a gym and library.

Education and work

Education at Featherstone is provided by Novus . They run a number of academic courses including Entry Level, Level 1 and Level 2 Maths and English and ITQ.

They also run vocational courses including:

• hospitality
• painting and decorating
• brick laying

Prisoners can also complete higher level qualifications through the Open University.

There are a wide range of activities and interventions available for prisoners to develop their skills and progress through their sentence.

Featherstone also runs specialist qualifications in RMF rail track, motor vehicle and tyre fitting.

Prisoners can also work in a wide range of workshops, including industries, construction, textiles and a print shop.

Support for family and friends

Family services at Featherstone are provided by PACT .

Support at Featherstone

Families can get help and advice from the family engagement team at the visitors centre.

Concerns, problems and complaints

In an emergency.

Call 01902 70 3000 if you think a prisoner is at immediate risk of harm. Ask for the Orderly Officer and explain that your concern is an emergency.

Problems and complaints

If you have a problem contact Featherstone .

Inspection reports

HM Prison and Probation Service publishes action plans for Featherstone in response to independent inspections.

Contact Featherstone

Governor: Neil O’Connor

Telephone (24 hours): 01902 703 000 Fax: 01902 703 001 Find out about call charges

To contact our head of family provision please email   [email protected]

HMP Featherstone New Road Featherstone Wolverhampton WV10 7PU

Opening hours updated for visits booking telephone line.

Updated legal visits enquiries phone number to, 01902 703 264 or 01902 703 048

Secure video calls update.

Updated visiting guidance based on 1 April COVID rule changes

Added link to new safer custody information under Security and safeguarding.

Updated visiting information: Reduced visit schedule and testing for visitors aged 12 and over.

Updated visiting information: Testing for visitors aged 12 and over.

Added link to information about testing for physical contact at visits.

New visiting times and booking information added.

Prison moved into National Stage 3 framework and is now preparing to open visits for family, friends and significant others. We will update this page with specific visiting information as soon as possible.

Updated visit info

Updated visiting information in line with new local restriction tiers.

Updated visiting information in line with coronavirus restrictions.

First published.

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