Preston Prison
Preston Prison is a men’s prison in Preston, Lancashire.
Applies to England and Wales
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Book and plan your visit to Preston prison
To visit someone in Preston Prison you must book your visit in advance and have the required ID with you when you go.
At least one visitor must be 18 or older at every visit.
The number of visits a prisoner can have varies. You can check this with Preston Prison.
Contact Preston Prison 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 Preston 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: 0330 058 8224
Find out about call charges
The booking line is open Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm.
Visiting times
- Monday to Sunday: 2pm to 3pm and 3:30pm to 4:30pm
How to book legal and professional visits
You can book a legal or professional visit by emailing [email protected]
You can also book a visit by calling: 0330 058 8224
Find out about call charges
The line is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Legal visit times:
- Monday to Friday: 9am to 10am, 10:30am to 11:30am, 2pm to 3pm and 3:30pm to 4:30pm
Getting to Preston Prison
Preston Prison is about a mile from Preston station and half a mile from the bus station.
To plan your journey by public transport:
There is no visitor parking at the prison. Visitors need to find their own parking.
Entering Preston Prison
All visitors, aged 16 or older must prove their identity before entering the prison. Read the list of acceptable forms of ID when visiting a prison.
All visitors will need to be given a pat-down search, including children. You may also be sniffed by security dogs.
Preston Prison has a strict dress code policy which means visitors should dress sensibly. You may be turned away if you are wearing items like see through, revealing clothing or crop tops which reveal the stomach, low cut tops, uniforms (except children in school uniform or police officers on a legal visit), chains which resemble key chains, football slogan clothing, headwear of any sort (unless appropriate headwear worn for religious purposes), sunglasses, fluorescent tops, ripped or damaged clothing, hooded tops, steel toe cap footwear, football boots or similar footwear, flip-flops, sliders or heelies, clothing bearing slogans that are deemed racist, insulting or derogatory, o jackets or open fronted tops, this includes cardigans and full front zippered tops, clothing that represents a gang or gang affiliation.
Each adult visitor is allowed to take in a maximum of £20 in cash to buy food and drink from the snack bar in the visiting hall.
There are strict controls on what you can take into Preston Prison. 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
Refreshments are available, the children’s play area is open and we have children’s play boxes for at the tables.
Family days
Family days have recommenced. Information can be obtained via Partners Of Prisoners (POPs).
Keep in touch with someone at Preston Prison
There are several ways you can keep in touch with a prisoner during their time at Preston Prison.
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
You can request a secure video call with someone in this prison via the Prison Video app.
You will receive a notification when your request has been accepted.
Read more about how it works ###Phone calls
All prisoners now have access to in-cell telephony.
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 Preston Prison using the Email a Prisoner service.
You are also able to attach photos and receive replies from the prisoner.
Letters
You can write at any time.
Include the person’s name and prison number on the envelope.
If you do not know their prison number, contact Preston Prison.
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
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.
Make sure to include the person’s name and prison number on the order. They will be opened and checked by officers.
It’s not possible to send any other items or property by post and such parcels will be returned. You can send prisoners money instead which they can use to buy items through a catalogue system.
Life at Preston Prison
Preston Prison is committed to reducing reoffending by providing prisoners with a structured and educational environment and preparing them for release.
Security and safeguarding
Every prisoner at Preston 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.
Preston Prison also trains prisoners to be ‘listeners’ for those who need support during difficult times.
Arrival and first night
When a prisoner first arrives at Preston Prison, 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.
They will get to speak to someone again on their second night so they have another chance to ask questions.
Induction
Each prisoner arriving at Preston prison 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 700 prisoners live at Preston Prison in a mixture of single and shared cells.
There are 3 gym areas offering a range of activities for prisoners of all physical abilities. They also have access to a well-stocked library.
Education and work
All prisoners have access to classroom learning provided by The Manchester College. Subjects include maths, English, IT, graphic design, digital imaging, media/radio production, painting and decorating and art. Support is available for students with dyslexia.
Preston also works in partnership with Novus to provide training for National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs).
There are professional courses in industrial cleaning, health and safety, manual handling and first aid.
There are personal and social development courses on topics such as substance misuse and recovery, victim awareness and restorative justice (where offenders may meet the victims of their crime).
Prisoners can also work throughout the prison in the laundry, maintenance, textiles workshop, cleaning orderly services and other areas.
Temporary release
Some Preston Prison 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.
Organisations Preston Prison works with
Preston Prison runs a 2-week resettlement course to prepare prisoners for release. This is done in partnership with organisations including Shelter, Jobcentre Plus and the National Careers Service.
Support for family and friends
Find out about advice and helplines for family and friends.
Support at Preston Prison
A family liaison officer is available to offer help and advice to visitors before and after visits. They are based in the Redwood Cafe within the Landmark Building across the road from Preston Prison.
Concerns, problems and complaints
In an emergency
Call 01772 444 550 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 | 01772 444 550 | 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. |
If you wish to use the voicemail service where you will receive a call back, please call 01772 444874. This number is for family and friends should you have any safety concerns.
Problems and complaints
If you have any other problem contact Preston Prison.
Contact Preston Prison
Governor: Dan Cooper
Telephone (24 hours): 01772 444 550
Fax: 01772 444 566
Find out about call charges
Address
HMP Preston
2 Ribbleton Lane
Preston
Lancashire
PR1 5AB
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Updates to this page
Published 19 November 2019Last updated 17 October 2024 + show all updates
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Updated times for visit booking line and legal visit time slots.
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Updated Governor
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Updated visiting times for family and friends visits
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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 physical contact guidance
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New visiting times and booking information added.
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Additional guidance about new COVID-19 variant in the Bolton and Blackburn areas.
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visits updated
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Updated visit info
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Updated visit info
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Updated visiting information in line with new national restrictions in England.
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Updated visting times in line with new covid regulations
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Updated visiting information in line with coronavirus restrictions.
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Added confirmation of secure video calls made available at this prison.
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updated survey link
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Prison visits update.
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Updated confidential line info
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First published.