Bedford Prison

Book and plan your visit to Bedford prison

To visit someone in Bedford Prison you must:

• be on that person’s visitor list
• book your visit in advance (usually 2 working days notice)
• have the required ID with you when you go

Contact Bedford Prison 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 Bedford Prison
• somewhere to stay overnight
• meals

How to book family and friends visits

You can book your visit byonline telephone or by email. There is no online booking service available.telephone.

Telephone booking line:line, 012340345 373646 024
The booking line is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 12:30pm
2277

Find out about call charges

Email:The socialvisits.bedford@justice.gov.uk

Tobooking avoidlines multipleare emails, please include the following in the email:open:

Prisoners

• Monday name,to PrisonFriday, number10am (ifto known), Names of visitors, and preferred day of visit.
  3pm

Visiting times:

• Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday:Sunday, 2:15pm2pm to 3:45pm4pm

Email enquiries can be sent to socialvisits.bedford@justice.gov.uk

How to book legal and professional visits

OpeningVisiting times are

Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays.

Morning visiting times are:

• 9:30am to 10:30am
• 10:30am, 10:45am to 11:45am

Afternoon11:45am, visiting times are:

• 2pm to 3pm
• and 3:15pm to 4:15pm

Prison to Court Video Links (PCVLs)

BookYou can book by email:email to Legalvisits.bedford@justice.gov.uk Call:or by phone, 01234 373 179179. There is usually next day availability.

Legal/official visits

(FaceFace to face)

Bookface visits can be booked by email:email to, Legalvisits.bedford@justice.gov.uk. Call:You can also book by phone, 01234 373 179179. There is usually next day availability.

Legal/officialYou can book video visits

(Video)

Book by email:emailto, Legalvisits.bedford@justice.gov.uk. Call:You can also book by phone, 01234 373 179179. There is usually next day availability.

Getting to Bedford Prison

Find Bedford Prison on a map

Bedford railway station is a 15-minute walk, or taxis are available at the station. The bus station is a 3-minute walk.

To plan your journey by public transport:

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

There is no visitor car parking available at Bedford Prison. There are car parks in the town centre a short walk away.

There is disabled access to the visitors centre and the prison. If possible, please let staff know of any additional needs before you arrive.

Entering Bedford Prison

All visitors, aged 16 or older must prove their identity before entering the prison. Read the list of acceptable forms of ID for all visitors..

All visitors must prove their identity. All adult visitors (18 and above) must prove their identity, with a government issued photo ID before entering prison. Regarding children, a birth certificate or red book is permitted.

Read the list of acceptable forms of ID for all visitors.

There are strict controls on what you can take into Bedford Prison. You will have to leave most of the things you have with you in a locker (you need a £1 coin). This includes pushchairs and car seats. Visitors must arrive at the visitor centre to use the lockers. The visits centre is the blue door to the left of the main gate.

You are then expected to check in at the main gate with your ID. Once inside the gate area you will be searched by a member of staff. There will also be a sniffer dog. You will be asked again if you’re carrying any unauthorised articles before you enter the visits hall.

Visitors should dress sensibly. You may be turned away if you are wearing items like vests, low-cut tops, high-cut shorts or dresses, or clothing with offensive slogans.

You will be told the rules when booking and 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 tea bar is open where a selection of basic drinks and snacks will be available. It is £10 per adult and £5 per child to spend in each session. You will have to bring this in coins only and in clear plastic bags.

The play area in the visitor centre is now open.

Keep in touch with someone at Bedford Prison

You may not be able to speak with someone at Bedford Prison during their first few days. This is because it can take up to 5 days to approve who they can be in touch with.

Prisoners do not have phones in their cells so they will always need to call you rather than you call them.

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

Secure video calls at this prison can be requested by prisoners only.

You will receive a notification if a prisoner has requested a video call with you.

Read more about how it works

Phone calls

Prisoners can phone anyone named on their list of friends and family. This list is checked by the public protection team.

You can also exchange voicemails using the Prison Voicemail service.

Authorised 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 Bedford Prison using the Email a Prisoner service.

You might also be able to attach photos and receive replies, depending on the rules at Bedford Prison.

Letters

Include the person’s full name and prisoner number (if you have it) on the envelope.

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

Prisoners at Bedford prison can buy permitted items from approved online retailers.

For other requests, contact Bedford Prison for more information on what’s allowed.

If approved, make sure to include the person’s name and prisoner number on the parcel.

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 Bedford Prison

Bedford Prison is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment where prisoners can learn new skills to help them on release.

Security and safeguarding

Every prisoner at Bedford Prison 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.

Arrival and first night

When a prisoner first arrives at Bedford, 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.

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

Induction

Each prisoner who arrives at Bedford Prison gets an induction that lasts about 2 days. 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.

Accommodation

About 500 prisoners are at Bedford Prison.

Education and work

Prisoners have access to a range of work, training and education opportunities including:

• industrial cleaning
• painting and decorating
• independent living skills
• production workshops
• physical education qualifications
• laundry
• kitchens

They can also get help and support on issues such as health and wellbeing, substance misuse, housing, debt and family relationships in preparation for release.

Support for family and friends

Bedford works with G4S. It is based in the visitors centre. It provides support and information to help you access available services.

Find out about advice and helplines for family and friends.

ProblemsConcerns, problems and complaints

Telephone:

Contact category	Phone number	Additional information
Non-emergency	01234 373 000 Fax:069	Call 01234this 273number 568 Findif outyou have concerns about calla chargesprisoner’s safety or wellbeing which are serious but not life-threatening or complete a safer custody contact form Address HMP Bedford Ston Loyes Bedford MK40the 1HG Prisoners’ Families Helpline website.
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Prisoners’ Friday,Families 9amHelpline	0808 808 2003	The Prisoners’ Families Helpline can provide confidential support, advice and guidance.
Unwanted Prisoner Contact	0300 060 6699	If a prisoner is contacting you and you want them to 4pmstop, you can use the Unwanted Prisoner Contact Service. Find You outcan aboutcomplete callthe chargesStop prisoner contact online form safercustodybedford@justice.gov.uk, email unwantedprisonercontact@justice.gov.uk or contact by phone.

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Address

See map