Wealstun Prison
Wealstun is a prison for adult men near Wetherby, Yorkshire.
Applies to England and Wales
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Book and plan your visit to Wealstun
To visit someone in Wealstun you must:
- be on that person’s visitor list
- Use your Visiting Order within 28 days (at which point it will expire)
- have the required ID with you when you go
At least one visitor must be 18 or older at every visit.
There may be a limit to the number of visits a prisoner can have. You can check this with the prison.
If you have any questions about visiting, email: [email protected]
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 Wealstun 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: 01937 444 599
The booking line is open Monday to Thursday, 8:30am to 12:30pm
Find out about call charges
Visiting times:
- Monday: 2:15pm to 4pm
- Tuesday: 8:45am to 10:45am and 2:15pm to 4pm
- Wednesday: 2:15pm to 4pm
- Thursday: 8:45am to 10:45am and 2:15pm to 4pm
- Friday: no visits
- Saturday: 9:30am to 11:30am and 1:45pm to 3:45pm
- Sunday: 9:30am to 11:30am and 1:45pm to 3:45pm
How to book legal and professional visits
Legal visits booking email: [email protected]
Legal visiting times
- Tuesdays and Thursdays: 9am to 9:45am, 10am to 10:45am, 2:15pm to 3pm and 3:15pm to 4pm
Probation
- Monday and Wednesday: times same as legal visits days above
Getting to Wealstun
The closest railway stations are Leeds (12 miles from the prison) and York (15 miles). You can take a 45 minute bus ride to the prison, as taxis can be expensive.
To plan your journey by public transport:
There is a large visitor car park with Blue Badge parking spaces close to the visitor centre.
Entering Wealstun
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.
Wealstun aims to create a family environment that is appropriate for adults and children of all ages. Therefore, the following dress code will apply for all visitors from Monday 15 July 2024: no vests, no ripped jeans, no football tops, shorts must be below the knee when standing, no sliders/flip flops, no clothing that promotes hostility or hatred to another race/religion/belief etc.
Women/Children over the age of 10: no gym/sportswear, no crop tops, no vests as a single garment, no ripped jeans, shorts and skirts must be below the knee when standing, no sliders/flip flops, no football tops, no clothing that promotes hostility or hatred to another race/religion/belief etc.
Children under the age of 10: no sliders/flip flops.
Failure to abide by this dress code may result in your visitors not being permitted to enter the establishment.
All prisoners are reminded to inform their visitors of the correct dress code.
Refreshments and snacks are available to purchase in the visits shop. You are allowed to bring in up to £40 in cash only for purchases during your visit.
There are strict controls on what you can take into Wealstun. You will have to leave most of the things you have with you in a locker (takes a £1 coin). 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
There is a visitor centre which is open on visiting days from 8:30am, where you can get help booking in for your visit.
The visits room has a children’s play area and there are toilets and baby changing facilities just outside.
Family days
We currently run family days during school holiday periods for children up to the age of 18 years old. Participants are generated through a strict application process.
Family days can only be applied for by prisoners.
Keep in touch with someone at Wealstun
There are several ways you can keep in touch with a prisoner during their time at Wealstun.
Phone calls
Prisoners have phones in their cells but 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.
Calls can be made by prisoners at these times:
- Monday to Thursday, 6:30am to 8am, 11:30am to 1pm, 5:30pm to 11pm
- Fridays, 6:30am to 8pm, 11:30am to 11pm
- Weekends and bank holidays: 6:30am to 11pm
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 Wealstun using the Email a Prisoner service.
You might also be able to attach photos and receive replies from the prisoner, depending on the rules at Wealstun.
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.
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 Wealstun.
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
No gifts can be sent.
‘Enhanced’ prisoners can apply for approval to have a clothing parcel sent in 2 times a year.
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 Wealstun
Wealstun is committed to providing a safe and educational environment where prisoners can learn new skills to help them on release.
Wealstun is serious about reducing the risk of re-offending so prisoners are expected to take part in their sentence plans and demonstrate good citizenship and behaviour at all times. Behaviour will affect their privileges in prison, whether they are re-categorised and considered for early release.
The prison has a strict drug policy which includes mandatory drug testing and investigating the supply and use of drugs. There are many drug treatment programmes on offer, a drug support wing, help from peers and a personal officer scheme.
Security and safeguarding
Every prisoner at Wealstun 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.
A Listener scheme (supported by the Samaritans) is available for those who need to talk and there is peer support, race equality representatives and an information desk.
Arrival and first night
When a prisoner first arrives at Wealstun, 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 Wealstun 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
Wealstun houses around 800 prisoners, mostly in single cells, but there are 46 double cells.
Education and work
Wealstun offers both full and part-time education and work. There are production workshops and training courses in construction, industrial cleaning, computers, gardening and catering.
It also provides offending behaviour programmes to help address behaviour and substance abuse.
Organisations Wealstun works with
The prison is supported by charities specializing in substance and gambling addiction, sexual health and victim support.
Healthcare is provided by the Practice Plus Group.
Support for family and friends
Find out about advice and helplines for family and friends.
To contact family services you can call 01937 444620 or email: [email protected].
Support at Wealstun
The charity JIGSAW offers family support services.
It offers:
- practical support to maintain family ties, including child contact
- emotional support for prisoners and families
- help in signposting prisoners and their families to other organisations that can help with individual issues
Concerns, problems and complaints
In an emergency
Call 01937 444 400 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 | 01937 444 774 | 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. |
HM Prison and Probation Service publishes action plans for Wealstun in response to independent inspections.
If you have any other problem contact Wealstun.
Contact Wealstun
Governor: Diane Lewis
Telephone: 01937 444 400
Open 24 hours
Fax: 01937 444 401
Find out about call charges
Address
HMP Wealstun
Church Causeway
Thorp Arch
Wetherby
Yorkshire
LS23 7AZ
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Updates to this page
Published 5 May 2020Last updated 17 November 2022 + show all updates
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Added visiting times and booking information for social and legal 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: Visits temporarily suspended
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Updated physical contact guidance
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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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Visits update
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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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Updated: HMP Wealstun visiting times and visiting procedure changes during coronavirus.
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First published.