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 arrive

Contact Bedford Prison or socialvisits.bedford@justice.gov.uk 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 online or by telephone.

Telephone booking line, 0345 646 2277

Find out about call charges

The booking lines are open:

• Monday to Friday, 10am to 3pm

Visiting times:

• Wednesday, 2pm to 3:45pm
• Thursday, 2pm to 3:45pm
• Saturday, 2pm to 3:45pm
• Sunday, 2pm to 3:45pm

Please arrive early. The visits centre opens at 1pm. Last entry will be 2:15pm.

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

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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.

You will be given a wrist band that should be worn at all times, you will then be escorted to 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.

No open toe sandals or flip flops allowed.

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.

You may bring up to £20 per adult and £10 per child up to a maximum of £50 to spend in each session.

You will have to bring this in coins only and in clear plastic bags.

The play areas in the visitor centre and visitors hall are 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.

Phones are switched on from 7am until 10pm (11pm for enhanced prisoners).

We have recently introduced a ‘reception visit’ where 2 tables are set aside for new receptions. Please contact socialvisits.bedford@justice.gov.uk for further information.

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 approved 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 can automatically have a 28-day clothing parcel permitted, they will tell you what is permitted.

Please list the items you are sending in the parcel and make sure to include the person’s name and prisoner number on the parcel. You also need to have a return to sender address.

Do not send electrical items these will be confiscated.

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 Prison education and library services, Annex A.

Prisoners at Bedford prison can buy permitted items from approved online retailers. You can send money in to allow them to do this.

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

All new arrivals will receive a first night phone call, subject to public protection unit restrictions. This may be late in the evening depending on their arrival time.

They will be offered a shower, hot food, clean clothing and will be interviewed individually by prison staff, healthcare and on occasion by a peer mentor.

All immediate risks, healthcare and wellbeing needs will be discussed and recorded upon arrival.

Induction

All new arrivals will receive an induction on a designated unit which should last between 2 and 5 days.

They will be interviewed by wing staff individually addressing their immediate concerns by completing a basic custody screening and signposted to relevant professionals to offer further support on their journey.

They will complete a gym induction, maths and English assessment and meet our partners who will support them in:

• health and wellbeing, including mental 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

All new arrivals will also receive information relating to their prisoner journey including prison rules, visits, education, activities, and further support to get them to the next part of their journey.

Accommodation

There are about 420 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 Invisible Walls managed by 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.

Concerns, problems and complaints

Contact category	Phone number	Additional information
Non-emergency	01234 373 069	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.
Prisoners’ Families Helpline	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 stop, you can use the Unwanted Prisoner Contact Service. You can complete the Stop prisoner contact online form, email unwantedprisonercontact@justice.gov.uk or contact by phone.

Inspection reports

HM Prison and Probation Service publishes action plans for Bedford Prison in response to independent inspections.

Contact Bedford Prison

Governor: Sarah Bott

Telephone: 01234 373 000
Fax: 01234 273 568

Address

See map