FAQs

Prison issued clothing is usually a polo shirt, sweatshirt and trousers or jeans. The prison can also provide underwear and socks if needed.

Their clothing and bedding will be cleaned by the prison laundry.

Basic hygiene items such as soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes are also provided. 

Those in custody can order some small items from the prison canteen. This varies between establishments, but generally things like stamps, toiletries and snack items will be on sale.

Those in custody can also provide feedback to the establishment on items they would like added to canteen  list. 

When your loved one comes into custody, they will go through an admission process where they can discuss any issues/concerns or questions they may have. Your loved one will be advised on who they can go to for support i.e. healthcare, visiting and regime. Some establishments have ‘peer supporters’ who are those in custody who have specific training in how to support and guide those entering custody.

All halls have prison officers your loved one can talk to, there is also support from the Chaplains in establishments.

Your loved one will also have access to an in-cell telephone and can call support organisations such as Samaritans and breathing space at any time at no cost. 

HDC is an opportunity for people in custody who qualify to serve the end of their sentence at home or another suitable address. The HDC process is designed to support people in custody from prison back to living in the community.
People released on an HDC licence are monitored by wearing an electronic tag on their ankle linked to monitoring equipment installed at the identified address.

Being released on HDC means your loved one will have to stay in the approved address each night (usually 19:30 -07:30) and comply fully with set licence conditions. They can go to work while out on HDC and curfew times may be altered to support this.

If your loved one is eligible to apply for HDC, they will be provided with an application form to complete around ten weeks before their HDC qualifying date. If they need any support completing this form, they should speak to a member of staff.

Once they have completed and returned their application form, their suitability for release on HDC will be assessed. We will seek information from other partners and where necessary will ask Community Based Social Work to visit the address they wish to stay at to ensure it is suitable.
Once all this information is returned a decision will be made on their HDC application. Your loved one will be informed in writing of the decision. 

Please note that individuals are not eligible for HDC if they:
1.    Are a Registered Sex offender.
2.    Are subject to deportation.
3.    Are currently serving a section 17 recall.
4.    Are subject to hospital direction.
5.    Have an extended sentence.
6.    Have a supervised release order.
7.    Have an untried warrant.
8.    Are serving non-offence term consecutively to their offence term.

Yes. Each prison has NHS-operated healthcare facilities with doctors, nurses, and dentists. All prisoners are seen by a doctor within 24 hours of admission.

This may be possible under certain circumstances. 

Please contact the prison directly to make such a request. Prison phone numbers can be found on our prison information pages.