At least one visitor must be 18 or older at every visit. Prisoners can have fup to 3 visitors over the age of 10 at one time, plus any younger children.
There may be a limit to the number of visits a prisoner can have. You can check this with Norwich prison.
HMP Norwich is situated on the eastern outskirts of Norwich, in Norfolk.
Bus numbers 23 or 24 from City Centre or the train Station go past HMP Norwich. Ask for Knox Road (or simply ask for the prison).
Take a train to Norwich Station (London services are via Liverpool Street). From Norwich Station it takes approximately 20 minutes to walk to the prison. At the main junction outside the station follow Riverside Road (Keep River on your left).
At the roundabout turn right up Ketts Hill onto Plumstead Road.
Please note the prison is located at the top of a steep hill. Turn left into Barrack Road. The prison and Visitors’ Centre are situated at the end of the road. No special transport is provided. Buses and taxis can be taken to the prison.
From A11: Join A47 (Southern bypass around Norwich) and follow signs for Great Yarmouth. Take the slip road signposted A1042 (Norwich N & E & Thorpe St. Andrew). Go straight over the roundabout and under Railway Bridge.
At mini roundabout turn right. Take left-hand slip road by traffic lights (Sainsbury’s should be on your right-hand side) signposted Cromer, Norwich Airport (A140). Follow road up hill to roundabout. Take the second exit, Plumstead Road (B1140), signpost “HM Prison”.
Turn right into Barrack Road. HMP YOI Norwich, and the Visitors’ Centre, is situated at the end of the road Parking Limited parking is available on site. Information and leaflets on all the above services can be obtained from the visitors’ centre.
Incorrect identification could result in refused entry.
All visitors will be given a rub-down search, including children. You will also be searched by security dogs.
Visitors must adhere to the prison dress code that applies.
Coats and hoodies may be worn however they must search via the x-ray machine prior to entry.
We are aware that it is quite fashionable to wear two layers of trousers however during your visit could we ask that one layer is removed.
Ripped jeans will also be permitted.
Shorts can be worn however we request that hot pant length shorts are not worn.
Miniskirts/dresses may be worn but only if worn with tights or leggings.
In addition to this no revealing clothing is allowed.
Please be aware that if you are assessed as being inappropriately dressed the duty manager will be requested to attend and they will decide regarding your entry for your visit.
There will be a small selection refreshments available to purchase on your arrival at the visits centre.
There are strict controls on what you can take into Norwich prison. You will have to leave most of the things you have with you in a locker or at the visits centre, this includes pushchairs and car seats. You will need a £1 coin for the lockers, which is refundable.
You will have the visit rules explained to you by an officer at the start of your visit. If you fail to adherer to these rules, your visit may be terminated, and you could face being banned from future visits.
Call the booking line if you have any questions about visiting.
Visiting facilities
There is a visitors centreatthat Norwich.serves hot and cold drinksdrinks. andIt has a small children’s play area.
Family days
Family Days are an opportunity for families and children to spend and extended period together engaging in play activities and sharing lunch together; 4 Family Days are expected to take place each year split between the Cat C unit and the Main side of the prison. It is expected that up to 12 fathers can take part on each day.
Children’s visits
Children’s Visits are special visits for children to visit their dad/stepdad or granddad so that the family can spend time together in a relaxed setting. These visits can also be for new dads (‘Baby Bonding’ visits) so that they can bond with their new baby soon after birth.
Transition Children’s Visits
Transition Children’s Visits (otherwise known as Brit House Dad’s Visits) for fathers currently residing in the open-conditions part of HMP/YOI Norwich, Britannia House, to spend time with their children at the Play Space in the Visitors Centre, building the families confidence in dad’s capabilities as a parent and preparing the dads for their release.
Keep in touch with someone at Norwich
There are several ways you can keep in touch with a prisoner during their time at Norwich.
Secure video calls
To have a secure video call with someone in this prison you need to:
Prisoners have phones in their cells to be able to maintain contact with friends and family. 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 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
People in Norwich are given a list of approved items that can be sent to them as gifts. Contact Norwich for more information on what’s allowed.
Family and friends 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 thePrison HMPPSeducation Incentivesand Policy,library services, Annex FA.
Make sure to include the person’s name and prisoner number on the parcel.
All parcels will be opened and checked by officers.
Life at Norwich
Norwich is committed to providing a safe and educational environment where prisoners can learn new skills to help them on release.
Security and safeguarding
Every prisoner at Norwich has a right to feel safe. The staff are responsible for their safeguarding and welfare at all times.
When a prisoner first arrives at Norwich, 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 Norwich 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 will also be made aware of rules, fire safety, and the day to day regime at HMP Norwich.
Accommodation
Around 750 prisoners live at Norwich Prison, mostly in single cells with some shared cells.
There are 10 wings and a special care unit:
A - induction unit, first night centre, drug treatment stabilisation and maintenance unit plus a vulnerable prisoner’s wing.
B and C - for those on remand and trial plus C1 which is a violence reduction landing
D - resettlement unit (also known as Britannia House)
E - older prisoners’ unit
F and G – For sentenced Category C prisoners for low-risk prisoners who are local to the area, serving 24 months or less
H - healthcare unit
L - elderly lifer unit
M – Vulnerable prisoner’s wing
U - special care and segregation unit (also known as the Kett’s unit)
There is a healthcare centre with 24-hour nursing cover.
Norwich has two gyms and an artificial multi-use sports area. There are various sports clubs available.
Prisoners have access to a wide range of faith and religious services.
Education and work
Education is offered by teachers across the prison. Courses cover:
Call 01603 708 600 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
01603 706387
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 visiting guidance based on 1 April COVID rule changes
18 March 2022
Added link to new safer custody information under Security and safeguarding.
2 March 2022
Updated information about how to use secure video calling at this prison.
10 January 2022
Updated visiting information: Testing for visitors aged 12 and over.
31 August 2021
Updated physical contact guidance
9 June 2021
New visiting times and booking information added.
30 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.
10 December 2020
Updated visiting information in line with new local restriction tiers.
4 December 2020
Updated prison visits
2 December 2020
Updated prison visits
17 November 2020
Updated safer custody hotline
6 November 2020
Updated visiting information in line with new national restrictions in England.
7 September 2020
Covid update
6 August 2020
Added confirmation of secure video calls made available at this prison.