Berwyn Prison
Berwyn is a men’s prison in Wrexham, North Wales.
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Book and plan your visit to Berwyn
At Berwyn, prisoners are responsible for booking their own visits. These must generally be booked at least 2 days in advance.
Up to 3 adults and any amount of children can visit at a time. At least one visitor must be 18 or older.
Contact Berwyn 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 Berwyn
- somewhere to stay overnight
- meals
How to book family and friends visits
Prisoners are responsible for booking visits via unilink.
You can also register to use the secure video calls service. There is no online booking service available.
Visiting times:
- Monday: 8:45am to 9:45am, 10:30am to 11:30am, 2pm to 3pm and 3:45pm to 4:45pm
- Tuesday: 8:45am to 9:45am, 10:30am to 11:30am and 2pm to 4pm
- Wednesday: 8:45am to 9:45am, 10:30am to 11:30am, 2pm to 3pm and 3:45pm to 4:45pm
- Thursday: 8:45am to 9:45am, 10:30am to 11:30am and 2pm to 4pm
- Friday: 8:45am to 10:45am
- Saturday: 8:45am to 9:45am, 10:30am to 11:30am, 2pm to 3pm and 3:45pm to 4:45pm
- Sunday: 8:45am to 9:45am, 10:30am to 11:30am, 2pm to 3pm and 3:45pm to 4:45pm
How to book legal and professional visits
Legal visits can be booked by calling 01978 523337 or by emailing [email protected].
Visiting times:
- Tuesday to Friday 9am to 12pm and 2pm - 5pm
We offer cloud video platform, telephone conferences and face to face visits.
Getting to Berwyn
HMP Berwyn is located on Wrexham Industrial Estate and google maps is the easiest way to find the prison using the postcode LL13 9QE.
Berwyn is not the easiest prison to get to by public transport, however there are two train stations (Wrexham General and Wrexham Central) both stations are about 4 miles away and Taxi’s are available at the stations, or book in advance on:
Apollo taxis 01978 262 626
Wrexham Prestige taxis 01978 357 777
Station Cars (which is located outside Wrexham General railway station) 01978 363661.
Visitors are also able to order a taxi from the prison for their return journey.
There are several local buses from Wrexham town centre which pass the prison.
There is also parking at the prison, including spaces for Blue Badge holders.
If you have a disability, there is disabled parking at the front of the establishment, and we have disabled toilets available in the Visitor Centre and the Visits Hall. The Visits Hall is located on the top floor, however there is a lift available for those people who struggle with stairs.
Wheelchairs, their users, adults accompanying them, and assistance dogs may need to be searched. Staff who conduct the searches will do so with sensitivity.
Visitors who need physical assistance during their visit must be accompanied by another adult. The establishment’s staff cannot offer personal assistance.
If you have difficulty visiting the establishment because of a disability you can discuss this in confidence with the Visitors Centre staff on 01978 523 000.
To plan your journey by public transport:
There is parking at the prison, including spaces for Blue Badge holders.
Entering Berwyn
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 will need to be given a pat-down search, including children. You may also be sniffed by security dogs.
Visitors should dress appropriately. You may be turned away if you are wearing items like outer garments or hoodies including body warmers, denim jackets, and leather jackets, tops must have sleeves (t-shirts and jumpers are acceptable), shorts/cycling shorts, skirts and dresses must be knee length or longer including men, women and children/teenagers, no crop tops or ¾ length tops (all tops must cover stomach and cleavage), no transparent clothing, no offensive slogans, patterns or logos, no ripped jeans on any part of the leg (distressed is okay providing fingers can’t be put through the gaps), dresses/tops must not be backless, underwear must be worn, no hats, with the exception of religious headwear, no sunglasses, no children’s blankets, toys, car seats, prams, nappies or wipes (nappies and wipes are provided).
Baby formula must come in powder form or a factory made, sealed bottle (boiling water is provided). Ask at the visitors centre if you have questions about appropriate dress.
Visitors must adhere to the prison dress code that applies, further details can be requested before your first visit.
There are strict controls on what you can take into Berwyn. You will have to leave most of the things you have with you in a locker or with security. This includes pushchairs and car seats.
You will be told 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.
Visiting facilities
The visitors centre which is run by family services at Berwyn is provided by Barnardos charity.
Refreshments are available during your visit. You must bring either coins or a card to pay for your refreshments, notes are not allowed.
The children’s play areas are open.
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01978 523004
Find out about call charges
Family days
HMP Berwyn alongside Barnardo’s run several families visits a year. We have 9 themed visits planned to run throughout the year, with 3 visits during the summer with a sporting theme, as well as the usual Christmas visits.
Keep in touch with someone at Berwyn
There are several ways you can keep in touch with someone during their time at Berwyn.
Phone calls
Prisoners have phones in their cells and are able to make calls at any time.
Phones do not accept incoming calls so they will always have to call you. 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 also exchange voicemails using the Prison Voicemail service.
Officers may listen to phone calls as a way of preventing crime and helping keep people safe.
You can send emails to someone in Berwyn using the Email a Prisoner service.
You are able to attach photos for an additional charge and receive replies.
Emails are monitored.
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.
Letters
You can write at any time.
Include the person’s name and prisoner number on the envelope.
If you do not know their prisoner number, contact Berwyn.
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 in Berwyn are given a list of items that they can buy from approved suppliers through a catalogue system.
Prisoners on remand or that have been convicted within 28 days can also apply to receive a clothing parcel once or twice a year. This is also dependant on their length of time in prison and their behaviour level. All items must be in line with the facilities list which prisoners have access to.
All items 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 the HMPPS Incentives Policy, Annex F.
Life at Berwyn
Berwyn is committed to providing a safe and educational environment where men can learn new skills to help them on release.
Security and safeguarding
Every person at Berwyn 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
When someone first arrives at Berwyn, 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.
Extra attention is taken on arrival to make the prisoner as comfortable as possible. Several checks are made on the prisoner through the evening.
Induction
Each person who arrives at Berwyn 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.
Accommodation
Over 2000 prisoners are at Berwyn in a mixture of single and shared cells. All cells have a shower, toilet, hand basin and a phone for outgoing calls.
Each pirsoner is given a Unilink laptop for making applications, ordering canteen items and booking visits. They can also use it to access the Content Hub, a rich source of educational materials, information, news and entertainment.
Prisoners have access to a full-sized sports hall, weights and fitness room and outdoor pitches. The fitness programme includes a range of team sports and classes leading to accredited qualifications.
Berwyn Prison has a diverse, multi-faith chaplaincy team providing support to prisoners. All religious festivals are catered for.
Education and work
Prisoners have access to a broad programme of learning opportunities provided by Novus Cambria. These range from basic skills, such as literacy, Welsh and numeracy, to vocational qualifications and higher learning.
Vocational qualifications include digital media, business enterprise, art, information and communications technology (ICT) and performing arts.
The programme also includes training in a variety of trades and professions, such as:
- bricklaying
- joinery
- horticulture
- plastering
- industrial cleaning
Work is available throughout the prison in areas such as the laundry, waste management and industrial cleaning. Prisoners can also work in one of Berwyn’s industrial workshops, which include a call centre and a DHL distribution centre. Prisoners can earn qualifications while working, for example in performing manufacturing operations and customer service.
Berwyn also runs a number of accredited offending behaviour programme courses. The college also provides personal and social courses in positive thinking and family learning.
Guidance workers provide prisoners with information and advice throughout their studies and work coaches provide individual support to prisoners in finding work on release.
Temporary release
Some prisoners may qualify for release on temporary licence. This can be used to gain work experience in the local community and prepare for release. Prisoners can apply for this within the prison.
Support for family and friends
Find out about advice and helplines for family and friends.
Support at Berwyn
Family services at Berwyn are provided by Barnardos.
You can ask for more information in the visitors centre or contact them by email and telephone.
To contact our head of family provision at Berwyn please email:
Concerns, problems and complaints
If you have a problem contact Berwyn. If you cannot resolve the problem directly, you can make a complaint to HM Prison and Probation Service.
In an emergency
Call 01978 523 000 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 | 01978 523 772 | 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 [email protected] or contact by phone. |
Contact Berwyn
Governor: Rebecca Hayward
Telephone (24 hours): 01978 523 000
Find out about call charges
Address
HMP Berwyn
Bridge Road
Wrexham Industrial Estate
Wrexham
North Wales
LL13 9QE
Help us to improve this page. Give us your feedback in this 2-minute survey.
Helpwch ni i wella’r dudalen hon. Rhowch eich adborth i ni yn yr arolwg 2 funud hwn.
Updates to this page
Published 16 June 2020Last updated 2 August 2022 + show all updates
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Secure video calls update.
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Updated visiting guidance based on 1 April COVID rule changes
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Added link to new safer custody information under Security and safeguarding.
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Updated visiting information: Testing for visitors aged 12 and over.
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Updated number for PACT family services
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Added link to information about testing for physical contact at visits.
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New visiting times and booking information added.
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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.
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Covid update
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Updated visiting information.
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Updated visiting information in line with new coronavirus rules in Wales.
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Updated visiting information in line with coronavirus restrictions.
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Updated visiting information in line with coronavirus restrictions.
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updated visiting facilities contact email address
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First published.