Hatfield is a prison and young offender institution near Doncaster for men aged 18 and over. It is split into 2 sites, Hatfield Main and Hatfield Lakes.
While there is no routine searching of visitors, all visitors may receive a pat-down search prior to entering the visits hall this includes any children present. Security dogs may also be present at the time of visiting, and you may be sniffed by them.
Hatfield 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).
You may be requested to remove headwear for searching purposes, this will always be conducted in an appropriate environment and respectfully.
Refreshments are available during your visit at both sites.
There are strict controls on what you can take into Hatfield. You will be asked to place any items that are not permitted into lockers at the main gate. You can take in pushchairs, changing and feeding items for your baby.
Hatfield aims to provide an enjoyable visiting experience for families so expects you to be respectful and to always supervise your children.
You will be informed of 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.
Please call the booking line if you have any questions about visiting.
Visiting facilities
Hatfield has a cafe in the visiting halls of both sites where you can buy hot and cold food and drinks.
Lockers are available for visitors to store items prior to entering the establishment.
At both sites there are areas set aside for children to play in.
Family days
HMP/YOI Hatfield runs several themed family days per year.
The days consist of family activities, crafts and quizzes themed around seasonal events.
Prisoners do not have phones in their cells, they have phones on their landings which they are able to use to make outgoing calls, Prisoners will have to buy phone credits to make calls these can be purchased from their canteen, calls can be made anytime up to 10pm.
Prisoners can phone anyone named on their contact list of friends and family. This list is checked by security when they first arrive and may take a few days before they are able to call.
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 HMP Hatfield Prison using EmailaPrisoner.com. Through this service, family and friends can send a message this is then printed out and delivered by prison staff by hand.
Once you have signed up, you will receive an activation link via email which you must click on to activate your account and send a message.
You must buy a minimum of £5 credit to use the service,which runs at a cost of 40p per email and at no charge to the recipient.
Letters
You can write at any time.
Include the prisoner’s name and prisoner number on the envelope.
Clothing and gifts cannot be sent into Hatfield, instead clothing is allowed to be exchanged during temporary release. Contact Hatfield for information on what’s allowed.
Friends and families of prisoners are permitted to send books directly to their loved one or they can order books direct from approved retailers, for the retailer to send directly to the prison.
Hatfield is committed to pushing the boundaries and seeking new ways to improve and enhance resettlement in the community. The prison has an ethos of encouraging prisoners to take responsibility for their own lives while also respecting others.
If you have more general questions or concerns about how prisons operate and how prisoners are cared for you can find out more on the Prisoners’ Families Helpline website.
Security and safeguarding
Every person at Hatfield has a right to feel safe. The staff are responsible for their safeguarding and welfare at all times.
When a prisoner first arrives at Hatfield, 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 person who arrives at Hatfield 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.
Everyone is given an induction booklet to keep for their own reference.
Accommodation
Hatfield is split across 2 sites, Hatfield Main site and Hatfield Lakes. The Lakes site is part of Hatfield but is 3 miles away, next to Lindholme Prison.
Hatfield Lakes is the smaller of the sites with 56 double cells. Prisoners can expect to spend their first 3 months at this site. Prisoners then get transferred to Hatfield Main which has 222 rooms.
There is a library and a gym at both sites.
Education and work
Prisoners at HMP Hatfield are encouraged to take part in meaningful activity and gain qualifications by enrolling into education and vocational training or work in one of the prison industries or domestic roles.
HMP Hatfield has purpose-built education suites offering training and education in:
industry - such as warehousing, maintenance, horticulture, recycling
retail - such as training as a barista or serving in the farm shop
charity - which is run by external companies such as Recycling Lives
physical education - such as recreational PE programmes, navigation awards, basketball and first aid
HMP Hatfield engage with a large and diverse portfolio of employers who offer paid employment to prisoners via temporary release.
There are also resettlement services that offer advice on housing, debt management and help with finding employment.
Temporary release
At a suitable point after transfer, prisoners may access opportunities via release on temporary licence (ROTL). There is a full and robust risk assessment involving many partner agencies. ROTL allows prisoners to access work, further training and maintain family ties in the community.
The Head of Reducing Reoffending is our Family and SignificantRelationships Others(FaR) (FaSO)lead and is responsible for our overarchingfamilies FaSOstrategy.
Hatfield’s family support provider is the Prison Advice and Care Trust.
There is a helpline which offers practical and emotional help and advice to anyone who is affected by imprisonment.
Telephone: 0808 808 3444
Open Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm
Concerns, problems and complaints
In an emergency
Call 01405 746500 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
01405 746 509
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.