Elmley Prison
Elmley is one of 3 prisons on the Ilse of Sheppey, Kent, the other two being HMP Standford Hill and HMP Swaleside.
Applies to England and Wales
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Book and plan your visit to Elmley
To visit someone in Elmley you must:
- be on that person’s visitor list
- book your visit in advance
- have the required ID with you when you go. Photo ID is essential
At least one visitor must be 18 or older at every visit.
Prisoners on remand can have up to 12 visits each month, if there’s space. Once sentenced, visitors need a visiting order (VO) and will get 2 every 14 days. Prisoners with enhanced privileges will get 2 extra visits a month.
Contact Elmley 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 Elmley
- somewhere to stay overnight
- meals
How to book family and friends visits
You can book your visit online, or by calling the telephone booking line: 03000 606 605
Telephone booking line: 03000 606 605
Available Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm
Find out about call charges
For visits enquiries only you can call: 01795 802195
Visiting times:
- Monday to Sunday: 1:45pm to 4pm
On arrival you can book in at the visitor centre, check in opens from 11am each day, the cut off for entry is 2:45pm.
The Visits centre is open from 10am to 4:30pm, facilities are on site.
Weekends and Bank Holidays:
- Visit centre opens at 11am
- Check in opens at 11am
Cut off for entry and closing time remains the same.
How to book legal and professional visits
Face-to-face legal visits can only be booked by email to, [email protected].
Legal and professional visiting times:
- Monday to Friday: 9am to 11:30am
How to book video legal visits
You can book legal video visits by telephone, 01795 802 373
Legal video session times (hourly slots):
- Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm
Visiting facilities
- Vending machines are available in the visiting centre.
- Tea bar selling hot and cold refreshments in the visits Hall in the prison.
- Male / Female / Disabled WC and baby changing areas in both the visits centre and hall.
- There is an unsupervised children’s activities area inside the visitor’s centre and inside the prison we have a soft play supervised area. (Terms and conditions are available on arrival) Children permitted entry will be subject to height restrictions and will be issued a wrist band, no shoes allowed but all children will wear socks during play.
- Disabled access to the prison is in place including parking.
Getting to Elmley
When travelling to Elmley, avoid going via Elmley Nature Reserve.
If you are travelling via M2
- leave the motorway at junction five
- join the A249 towards Sheerness/Sheppey
- once over the Sheppey Crossing, follow signs towards Eastchurch and Leysdown
- at Eastchurch follow the local signs to HMP Elmley
The closest railway station is Sheerness. From there you can get a taxi or take the bus,
To plan your journey by public transport use:
There is a free visitors car park.
Entering Elmley
All visitors, aged 16 or older must prove their identity before entering Elmley Read the list of acceptable forms of ID when visiting a prison.
You can book in at the visitor office up to half an hour before your visiting time slot. The office is open 10am to 4pm.
- All visitors go through our EGS (Enhanced Gate Security) this process is similar to airport security. (bag x-ray and metal portals) all visitors can be subject to a pat-down search, including children.
- you may also be sniffed by security dogs.
- visitors must adhere to the prison dress code that applies when entering Elmley, please see dress code below.
- there are strict controls on what you can take into Elmley. You will have to leave all the things you have with you in a locker, apart from items required for infants and medication is subject the individual concerned and to our security processes. Elmley is cash only and each adult visitor can take up to £60 each to spend on Hot and Cold refreshments throughout the duration of your visit.
- call the booking line or 01795 802195 if you have any questions about visiting.
Dress code
The following items of clothing will not be allowed to enter HMP Elmley:
- Steel toe-capped boots or shoes with exposed metal parts, Cycle or Motorcycle shoes or boots.
- Gloves, Hats, scarves or any headgear that is not worn on religious grounds. (Baby’s bonnets are acceptable but must be removed by parent for searching).
- Sunglasses (unless prescription glasses).
- Smart watches of any kind, including fitness trackers.
- Any item of clothing that has offensive, racial or sexist logos, words or pictures.
- No clothing made by Hoodrich, Criminal Damage, AYEgear.
- Excessively revealing, i.e. very short skirts/dresses including shorts, see through tops, crop tops and strapless tops, unitard jumpsuit/ tight jumpsuit
- Visible or exposed underwear of any kind (With exception of brassier straps in the shoulder area)
- Ripped clothing for the torso.
- Ripped jeans above the knee will not be allowed.
- Excessively large metal hair accessories
- Helmets of any kind (Except medical issue).
Clothing cannot be removed during the visits session and visitors are to make sure they are comfortably dressed before they enter the visitor searching area.
This list is not exhaustive. All enquiries should be directed in the first instance to the staff in the Visitors Centre or Visits Senior officer.
Visiting facilities
- Vending machines are available in the visiting centre.
- Tea Bar selling Hot and cold refreshments in the visits Hall in the prison.
- Male / Female / Disabled WC and baby changing areas in both the visits centre and hall.
- There is an unsupervised children’s activities area inside the visitor’s centre and inside the prison we have a Soft Play supervised area. (terms and conditions are available on arrival) Children permitted entry will be subject to height restrictions and will be issued a wrist band, no shoes allowed but all children will wear socks during play.
- Disabled access to the prison is in place including parking.
Family days
Elmley run 12 family visits a year. Details on how these visits run can be found in the visitor centre or by asking in staff in the visits Hall. Applications can be completed and handed to the staff in the visits centre.
Keep in touch with someone at Elmley
There are several ways you can keep in touch with someone during their time at Elmley.
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.
Phone calls
Prisoners have phones in their cells but can only make outgoing calls so they will always have to call you. They have to buy phone credits to do this. They can be used between 6am and 10:30pm.
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.
Officers may listen to phone calls as a way of preventing crime and helping keep people safe.
You can send emails to someone in Elmley using the Email a Prisoner service.
You might also be able to attach photos and receive replies, depending on the rules at Elmley.
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 Elmley.
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
Books are the only items that can be sent into prison. Make sure to include the person’s name and prisoner number on the parcel. 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 the HMPPS Incentives Policy, Annex F.
Contact Elmley for more information on what’s allowed.
Parcels
Prisoners within the first 50 days can hand in clothing up to their limits. Subject to suitability of the items. Property for a visit must be in reception one week before the scheduled visit.
We will ensure these items are sealed, recorded on the property card and taken to the visits front gate. This will be issued to visitors and signed for on the Property Handover form before the start of visits as well as collect in items that are within the 50 day allowance period / exchange process.
An application to have property handed in must be approved by reception staff. Once property has been handed in, it will be received at the main gate on visits days providing the prisoner has a visit booked. Property can be handed in: Monday to Sunday: 11:15am to 12:15pm.
Life at Elmley
Elmley is committed to providing a safe and educational environment where prisoners can learn new skills to help them on release.
Security and safeguarding
Every person at Elmley 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 Elmley, 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 prisoner who arrives at Elmley gets an induction that lasts about a week.
They will be issued with bedding, toiletries and an early days’ welfare pack.
They will also 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
There are 6 units that hold about 1,150 prisoners.
There are units for vulnerable prisoners, foreign nationals, first night prisoners, drug and alcohol rehabilitation and mixed units.
Education and work
At Elmley, all prisoners must work towards Level 2 English and maths. There are classroom assistants to help with learning.
Alongside this, foreign nationals must try to improve their English. There is ICT, City and Guilds construction certificates, Equality and Diversity qualifications and other industry-based learning.
‘In House Records’ is the first HM Prison record label to encourage prisoners to learn how to play, create, mix and manage music.
First-aid, diet, nutrition and personal training courses are offered in the gym. Prisoners can also train to be a ‘mentor’ so they can take on key peer worker roles. One of the units runs a community art project.
A careers advisor helps with application letters and CVs. Every 3 months, a selection of employers come to the prison to offer job vacancies, apprenticeships and training opportunities to prisoners that are almost ready for release.
Once accredited, the courses in forklift truck driving, streetworks and traffic management guarantee an interview through the Mainstream group.
Daily employment is available in gardening, environmental services, recycling, cleaning, laundry and kitchen work.
Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT) workers offer a wide range of courses to encourage prisoners to make a fresh start, such as victim awareness and empathy, violence reduction, managing worry, understanding triggers for re-offending, mindfulness, communication and financial skills and parenting.
Temporary release
Elmley does not routinely offer release on temporary licence (ROTL) at the moment.
Organisations Elmley works with
Elmley works with CGL which offers many courses on health, well-being and motivation, as well as drug and alcohol treatment programmes.
There are relationship and ‘thinking’ programmes on offer to prisoners too, as well as help with resettlement issues like accommodation, banking, citizen ID cards, birth certificates and employment from Seetec.
Elmley also works with the charity PACT which helps with family visiting days.
Support for family and friends
Family services at Elmley are provided by PACT.
To contact our head of family provision the Head of Reducing Reoffending at Elmley: [email protected].
Visitor centre staff offer friendly advice and support to all families and can refer them on to other agencies, such as domestic abuse or debt management services.
They also help with applications for family proceedings and have access to Relate, who offer free parental counselling for a prisoner due for release, if he and his partner have children of school age.
Concerns, problems and complaints
In an emergency
Call 01795 802000 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 | 01795 802433 | 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. |
Problems and complaints
If you have a problem contact Elmley.
Inspection reports
HM Prison and Probation Service publishes action plans for Elmley in response to independent inspections.
Contact Elmley
Governor: Abbie Gardner
Telephone (24 hours): 01795 802 000
Fax: 01795 802 001
Find out about call charges
Email: [email protected]
Address
HMP/YOI Elmley
Church Road
Eastchurch
Sheerness
Kent
ME12 4DZ
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Updates to this page
Published 7 April 2020Last updated 10 March 2023 + show all updates
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Updated legal/professional and legal video visits information.
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Secure video calls update - new phone provider.
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Updated Governor
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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: Reduced visit schedule and testing for visitors aged 12 and over.
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Updated visiting information: Reduced visit schedule and testing for visitors aged 12 and over.
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Updated visiting information: Testing for visitors aged 12 and over.
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Added link to information about testing for physical contact at visits.
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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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Updated visit info
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Updated visiting information in line with new local restriction tiers.
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Updated visiting information in line with new local restriction tiers.
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Updated visiting information in line with new national restrictions in England.
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Updated visiting information in line with coronavirus restrictions.
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Added confirmation of secure video calls being made available at this prison.
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Updated safer custody hotline details
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added survey link
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First published.