The booking line is open Monday to Friday, 10am to 3pm.
Visiting times:
Tuesday, 2pm to 4pm
Thursday, 2pm to 4pm
Saturday, 2pm to 4pm
Sunday, 2pm to 4pm
Visits must be booked at least 48 hours in advance. You must arrive at least 30 minutes before the end of the session to be allowed your visit. Latecomers should report directly to the main gate staff.
All official visitors must go straight to the front gate with their ID. Valuables and prohibited items may be left in the lockers in the front gatehouse or in your vehicle (at your own risk).
Official visitors include solicitors, barristers, social workers, offender managers and probation staff.
Legal visitors may be allowed to visit several prisoners during their visit, however prisoners will be seen individually.
Telephone translation is not available to legal visitors. If it is required, a visit should be made in person or booked using video link.
HMP Morton Hall is located the village of Swinderby, near Lincoln.
The nearest train station is in Swinderby which is roughly a 15 minute walk to the prison. Other nearby stations are Newark Northgate (9 miles away) or Lincoln (12 miles away).
To plan your journey by public transport:
use National Rail Enquiries
use Traveline for local bus times
There is a visitors car park, including space for Blue Badge holders.
All visitors will need to be given a pat-down search, including children.
You may also be sniffed by security dogs.
Visitors must adhere to the prison dress code that applies, further details can be requested on your first visit or by emailing resettlement.mortonhall@justice.gov.uk
There are strict controls on what you can take into HMP Morton Hall.
You will have to leave most of the things you have with you in a locker in the visitors’ centre or in your car - this includes pushchairs and car seats.
Family days
HMP Morton Hall run 12 family visits a year alongside Lincolnshire Action Trust.
These are organised and booked by the prison by application from the prisoner.
Visits Centre
The Visits Centre is open:
Tuesday, 1:30pm to 4:15pm
Thursday, 1:30pm to 4:15pm
Saturday, 1:30pm to 4:15pm
Sunday, 1:30pm to 4:15pm
Keep in touch with someone at Morton Hall
There are several ways you can keep in touch with a prisoner during their time at Morton Hall.
Secure video calls
To have a secure video call with someone in this prison you need to:
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
Gifts and parcels
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.
When a prisoner first arrives at Morton Hall, they are given a free 5 minute phone call to contact a friend or family member. This could be quite late in the evening, depending on the time they arrive. In addition, they are provided with overnight essentials, food, drink, emergency pin credit and vapes.
They will also get to speak to someone who will check how they’re feeling and ask about any immediate health and wellbeing needs. New receptions will be seen by Healthcare for any immediate health or wellbeing needs and any referrals made. Reception senior officers will do the first night induction, highlight any security concerns and complete the CSRA.
Induction
All new receptions receive an induction where they are seen by Healthcare, Gym, Library Activities and the Home Office. The Induction lasts 7 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
Everyone also finds out about the Rules, Fire Safety, and how things like Calls and Visits work.
Education, Skills and work activity
Prisoners have access to a broad range of learning opportunities, including vocational courses to improve personal growth, wellbeing and work-related skills, English for speakers of other languages (ESOL), ICT, Functional Maths and English. We have a range of work-related activities that are aimed at preparing for employment upon release, including:
manufacturing operations
gardens and horticulture
barbering
catering and hospitality
construction (bricklaying)
cleaning
peer mentoring
environmental awareness
waste management and recycling
self-employment
Language Line and Local Translators are used to assist prisoners.
Support for family and friends
You can ask to speak to the Head of Family services during your visit. You can share feedback about your visiting experience with anyone in this team. Visitor satisfaction surveys will be completed twice a year and the team will look to engage with prisoners and their visitors to make improvements to services.
Lincolnshire Action Trust is the family services provider and they can give advice and support to families.
Call 01522 666 976 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
01522 666 885
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 line opening times for family and friends visits, now Monday to Friday, 10am to 3pm.
14 February 2024
Opening hours updated for visits booking telephone line.
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.
1 December 2021
Updates to visiting times for family and friends and legal visitors.
25 May 2021
New visiting times and booking information added.
21 May 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
visit update
4 December 2020
Updated visit info
2 December 2020
updated visit info
2 December 2020
Updated visit info
6 November 2020
Updated visiting information in line with new national restrictions in England.
13 August 2020
Updated visiting information in line with coronavirus restrictions.
5 August 2020
Updated: HMP Morton Hall visiting times and visiting procedure changes in line with coronavirus restrictions.