Visitors may be given a pat-down search, including children. You may also be sniffed by security dogs.
Kirklevington Grange has a strict dress code policy, which means visitors should wear smart clothes (no vests, no low-cut tops, no shorts, no short dresses and no headwear, other than that worn for religious reasons).
Each adult visitor is allowed to take in a maximum of £20 in coins, £5 or £10 notes (£20 notes are not allowed).
There are strict controls on what you can take into Kirklevington Grange. 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 an external coffee shop, which is open to the public.
Inside the visits hall there are refreshments available at the tea bar which is ran by Nepacs volunteers and there are play facilities for children.
Family days
We hold several family days and events throughout the year including during the main school holidays.
2025 planned events include:
Family Days:days:
Tuesday 25th25 February
Tuesday 15th15 April
Tuesday 27th27 May
Tuesday 29th29 July
Tuesday 28th28 October
Tuesday 16th16 December
Family Learning/Enrichment activities:
In response to positive feedback and high demand for out-of-hours enrichment activities, we are pleased to announce that, commencing in 2025, these sessions will be held twice monthly. The activities will take place on Thursday evenings from 5pm to 7pm. Themes and dates will be prominently advertised on site.
Further details and event themes can be found on the Nepacs website - [Kirklevington Grange Visitor Centre
Prisoners do not have phones in their cells so they will always have to call you. They have to buy phone credits to do this and can call until 10pm.
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 attach photos and receive replies from the prisoner.
Letters
You can write at any time. Please include the person’s name and prisoner number on the envelope.
All post, apart from legal letters, will be opened and checked by officers.
National Prison Radio’s Family and Friends request show
National Prison Radio broadcasts into prison cells across England and Wales 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Family and friends can stay connected with their loved ones in prison by sending song requests, written messages and voice recordings. They are then read and played out on weekly episodes.
Kirklevington Grange aims to prepare prisoners for their release by addressing their resettlement needs.
Prisoners are encouraged to maintain and develop links with their families and the wider community.
In the final stages of their sentence prisoners can work or study outside the prison.
Prisoners have a responsibility to work towards their sentence plan and progress through risk assessment to gain release on temporary licence. Support and guidance are provided throughout.
Security and safeguarding
Every prisoner at Kirklevington Grange has a right to feel safe. The staff are responsible for their safeguarding and welfare at all times.
When a prisoner first arrives at Kirklevington Grange, 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 Kirklevington Grange 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 education, skills and work
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
The majority of cells at Kirklevington are single occupancy, however there are a selection which are double occupancy. All cells have storage cupboards, privacy locks and prisoners have their own key.
Education and work
Prisoners at Kirklevington Grange have the opportunity to complete basic education courses on-site. They can also address offending-related behaviour by working with the drug and alcohol support team.
An employability course is available, which supports CV writing, interview skills and searching for a job.
Kirklevington Grange has extensive links with local employers who provide paid employment for prisoners. Kirklevington Grange also organises a wide range of vocational training.
Jobcentre Plus visits the prison every week to offer information and guidance, as well as to help complete job seekers allowance applications in preparation for release.
Temporary release
After an initial 3-month period at Kirklevington Grange, prisoners are risk assessed for release on temporary licence (ROTL).
If suitable, they will then complete a minimum of 30 days community work on placements in the voluntary sector. They can then progress to employment or education.
The Head of Reducing Reoffending leads on the Family and Significant others strategy and they are supported by a Custodial Manager, should you wish to contact them please call the switchboard.
Support at Kirklevington Grange
Nepacs can provide families with support and signpost you to other services. A Nepacs family support worker is available to support prisoners and families.
Concerns, problems and complaints
In an emergency
Call 01642 792 600 if you think a prisoner is at immediate risk of harm. Ask for the Orderly Officer and explain that your concern is an emergency.
Contact category
Phone number
Additional information
Non-emergency
01642 792 656
Call this number if you have concerns about a prisoner’s safety or wellbeing which are serious but not life-threatening or complete a safer custody contact form on the Prisoners’ Families Helpline website.
Staff Integrity Hotline
0800 917 6877 (24 hours answering machine)
This number can be called anonymously. If you are concerned about a prisoner being bullied by a member of staff, you can use this number. As this line is managed separately from the prison, you can call this number anonymously.
Updated booking email for legal/professional visits to, VisitsBooking.Kirklevington@justice.gov.uk
1 April 2022
Updated visiting guidance based on 1 April COVID rule changes
18 March 2022
Added link to new safer custody information under Security and safeguarding.
10 January 2022
Updated visiting information: Testing for visitors aged 12 and over.
20 August 2021
Updated physical contact guidance
6 May 2021
Updated visting times for legal and professional visits.
14 April 2021
New visiting times and booking information added.
9 April 2021
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.
21 December 2020
Visits update
10 December 2020
Updated visits information in line with national tier restrictions
4 December 2020
Updated visiting information in line with new local restriction tiers.
2 December 2020
Updated visiting information in line with new local restriction tiers.
6 November 2020
Updated visiting information in line with new national restrictions in England.
1 September 2020
Updated visiting information in line with coronavirus restrictions.