Exeter Prison
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-27)

Exeter is a men’s prison in Exeter city centre in Devon.

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Book and plan your visit to Exeter

To visit someone in Exeter you must:
- be on that person’s visitor list
- book your visit at least 48 hours in advance
- have the required ID (#entering-exeter) 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 in Exeter prison can have. If the prisoner is on remand, they can have 2 per week. If the prisoner has been convicted (they have been sentenced or are awaiting sentencing), it ranges from 1 to 4 visits per month depending on their behaviour level and privileges they have earned. You can check this with Exeter.

Contact Exeter (#contacts) 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 (https://www.gov.uk/help-with-prison-visits), including:
- travel to Exeter
- somewhere to stay overnight
- meals
How to book family and friends visits

To arrange a visit you can:
- book your visit online (https://www.gov.uk/prison-visits)
- email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)
- telephone xx-xxxx-xxxx
The booking line is open Monday and Tuesday (excl bank holidays), 9am to midday and 1:30pm to 4:30pm. Find out about call charges (https://www.gov.uk/call-charges)

Visiting times:
- Monday, no visits
- Tuesday, 2pm to 4pm
- Wednesday, no visits
- Thursday, 2pm to 4pm
- Friday, 2pm to 4pm
- Saturday, 2pm to 4pm
- Sunday, 2pm to 4pm
Last entry is strictly at 2:15pm.

The visiting entitlement is one hour only, between 2pm to 4pm. However, we will try to allow you to have as much time as possible.

How to book official visits

You can book official visits through the online form (https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=KEeHxuZx_kGp4S6MNndq2GD6DANRx-pKtyC97lUPwNdUNE04VTdXRjNRV0ZDQVRVQ1VGM0Q2N1c3OCQlQCN0PWcu).

Form submissions are monitored 9am to midday and 1:30pm to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday.

Official visitors can either hold a meeting with a prisoner either face to face or by video link.

Each appointment slot is 45 minutes, double bookings or longer can be made upon request.

Official visits are available between the following times:
- Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 12:15pm and 1:45pm to 4:30pm
Please ensure that you have photographic ID when visiting the prison (video or in person). If you don’t provide photographic ID your meeting will be cancelled (video visit or in person).

Please read the section on Entering Exeter (#entering-exeter) on this webpage if you are visiting in person.

You must notify us if you intend to bring a laptop into prison and provide the necessary serial numbers before your visit.

The amount of paper that you can bring in is also limited and cannot be left with the prisoner.

For help or support please contact: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

Getting to Exeter

Find Exeter on a map (https://consent.google.com/m?continue=https://xxx@xxx.xx,-3.5342382,17z/data%3D!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x486da43ee5733685:0x3740e557609db53b!8m2!3d50.7281917!4d-3.5320495?shorturl%3D1&gl=IE&m=0&pc=m&uxe=eomtm&cm=2&hl=en&src=1)

The closest railway stations are Exeter Central (300 meters from the prison) and Exeter St Davids (2 kilometres from the prison). Buses run from Exeter St Davids into the city centre.

To plan your journey by public transport use:
- National Rail Enquiries (https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/)
- Traveline for local bus times (https://www.traveline.info/)
The prison has no car parking available for visitors. You should use city centre parking or park and ride schemes.

Entering Exeter

All visitors, aged 16 or older must prove their identity before entering the prison using on of the acceptable forms of ID when visiting a prison (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/management-of-security-at-visits-policy-framework-open-estate/acceptable-forms-of-identification-id-when-visiting-a-prison-in-england-and-wales-annex-a).

Children visiting HMP Exeter also require identification.

If they do not hold any of the above documentation, a child’s health book ‘red book’ or birth certificate may be accepted. For further guidance contact the booking line on xx-xxxx-xxxx.

Visitors must book in at the visitors centre before their visit. It opens at 1pm.

When you arrive at the visitor centre to sign in, you will be given a declaration to fill out and an order form where you can choose any food and drink, you’d like during your visit.

Refreshments must be paid for before your visit with cash. (Food and drink are subject to availability, and we may not always have the full menu.)

All visitors will need to be given a rub-down search, including children. You may also be sniffed by security dogs.

Exeter has a strict dress code policy, which means visitors should wear smart clothes (no vests, no low-cut tops, no shorts, no short dresses and no headwear, other than that worn for religious reasons).

There are strict controls on what you can take into Exeter. 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

Exeter has a vistors’ centre run by PACT (https://www.prisonadvice.org.uk/hmp-exeter).

It includes toilets and a children’s play area, and staff are available to offer support and advice to visitors.

The visitor’s centre is open on visits days from 1pm to 2:15pm before the visit, and 4:00pm to 4:15pm afterwards.

Email: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

Family days

Family visits are available for prisoners, with or without children. They are held once a month and last from 2pm to 4pm.

The prisoner must apply for these.

PACT provides a range of activities for the whole family.

For more information please contact our families provider PACT xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx) or contact our head of family provision at HMP Exeter on xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).

Keep in touch with someone at Exeter

There are several ways you can keep in touch with someone during their time at Exeter.

Secure video calls

To have a secure video call with someone in this prison you need to:
- Download the Prison Video app (https://prisonvideo.com/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.

Read more about how it works (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/visit-a-prisoner-using-a-video-call)

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.

Phones are available 6:30am to 10pm.

You can also exchange voicemails using the Prison Voicemail service (https://prisonvoicemail.com/).

Officers may listen to phone calls as a way of preventing crime and helping keep people safe.

Email

You can send emails to someone in Exeter using the Email a Prisoner service (https://www.emailaprisoner.com/).

You might also be able to attach photos and receive replies, depending on the rules at Exeter.

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 Exeter (#contacts).

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 (https://www.gov.uk/send-prisoner-money).

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 (https://send-money-to-prisoner.service.gov.uk/help/apply-for-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 Exeter can only receive parcels if they are sent in by post.
- The parcel must be clearly marked with their name and prison number.
- The prisoner must apply in advance and specify the items they want to be sent in.
- Approval must be given before any parcel is accepted.
Any parcel which has not had approval will not be accepted and will be turned away.

Contact Exeter (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/exeter-prison#contacts) for more information on what’s allowed.

All parcels will be opened and checked by officers before issue to the prisoner.

Prisoners can also buy personal items from approved catalogues.

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 Prison education and library services, Annex A (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/prison-education-and-library-services-for-adult-prisons-in-england/annex-a-sending-and-handing-in-of-books-to-prisoners).

Life at Exeter

Exeter 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 Exeter 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 (https://www.prisonersfamilies.org/pages/category/need-urgent-help?Take=24).

Arrival and first night

When someone first arrives at Exeter, they will be able to contact a family member by phone (if there are no public protection restrictions). 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 or family needs.

They will be issued with clothing, bedding and toiletries, and have the opportunity to purchase personal items.

Induction

Each prisoner who arrives at Exeter 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

Exeter has around 560 prisoners. There are 4 residential units with a mixture of single and double cells:
- A wing for employed and unemployed workers
- B wing for vulnerable prisoners
- C wing for first night and detox
- D wing for enhanced prisoners in a self-contained unit with its own workshop and education area
There is also F wing, which provides social care.

There is a gym, sports hall, healthcare team, library and chapel.

Education and work

Education and employment opportunities are available to all prisoners in Exeter Prison after their induction.

Accredited courses include:
- English
- maths
- IT
- personal development and social skills
- art
- behaviour management
- employability skills
- horticulture
- painting and decorating
- peer mentoring
- gym instructor
- English for speakers of other languages
- Shannon Trust reading programme
Employment opportunities include local and national contracts offering light assembly and packing tasks, textiles work and model train assembly and painting.

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 (https://www.gov.uk/support-for-families-friends-of-prisoners).

To contact our head of family provision at HMP Exeter please email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).

Support at Exeter

Family services at Exeter are provided by PACT (https://www.prisonadvice.org.uk/hmp-exeter).

Pact can be contacted at xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx) for support and guidance.

You can call the prison chaplaincy team on xx-xxxx-xxxx if you need support when passing on bad news, such as a bereavement, to a prisoner.

Concerns, problems and complaints

In an emergency

Call xx-xxxx-xxxx if you think a prisoner is at immediate risk of harm. Ask for the Orderly Officer and explain that your concern is an emergency.

Problems and complaints

If you have any other problem contact Exeter (#contacts).

Inspection reports

HM Prison and Probation Service publishes action plans for Exeter (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/exeter-prison-action-plan) in response to independent inspections.

Contact Exeter

Governor: Ian Walters

Telephone: xx-xxxx-xxxx Fax: xx-xxxx-xxxx Find out about call charges (https://www.gov.uk/call-charges)

Address

HMP Exeter30 New North RoadExeterEX4 4EX

See map (https://consent.google.com/m?continue=https://xxx@xxx.xx,-3.5342382,17z/data%3D!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x486da43ee5733685:0x3740e557609db53b!8m2!3d50.7281917!4d-3.5320495?shorturl%3D1&gl=IE&m=0&pc=m&uxe=eomtm&cm=2&hl=en&src=1)

Help us to improve this page. Give us your feedback in this 2-minute survey (https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/hmpexeter/).