Wormwood Scrubs Prison
Source: gov.uk (2025-10-30)

Wormwood Scrubs is a men’s prison in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, West London.

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Book and plan your visit to Wormwood Scrubs

To visit someone in Wormwood Scrubs you must:
- be on that person’s visitor list
- book your visit at least 2 days in advance
- have the required ID (#entering-wormwood-scrubs) 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 person can have. You can check this with Wormwood Scrubs.

Contact Wormwood Scrubs (#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 Wormwood Scrubs
- somewhere to stay overnight
- meals
How to book family and friends visits

You can book your visit online (https://www.gov.uk/prison-visits) or by telephone.

Telephone booking and information line: xx-xxxx-xxxx Find out about call charges (https://www.gov.uk/call-charges)

The booking line is open Monday to Friday, 10am to 3pm.

Visiting times:

Visitors arriving more than half an hour late will not be admitted.

Weekday time slots:
- Monday, A wing 9am to 11am and 2pm to 4pm
- Tuesday, B wing 9am to 11am
- Wednesday, C wing 9am to 11am and 2pm to 4pm
- Thursday, D wing 9am to 11am and 2pm to 4pm
- Friday, E wing 9am to 11am
Weekend time slots:
- Saturdays, 9am to 11am and 2pm to 4pm (week 1: A and B wing, week 2: D and E wing)
- Sundays, 2pm to 4pm (week 1: C wing, week 2: family development session)
Secure video time slots:
- Monday and Thursday, 6:15pm to 7pm
If you have any issues regarding your visit, please email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).

Please be advised that this email address is for issues and queries, and we aim to respond to you within 3 working days.

Family development sessions

A family development session is held on alternating Sunday afternoons on a wing-by-wing basis.

This session may include family days, children’s visits, homework clubs and other initiatives.

Visits facilities tuck shop

You can purchase light refreshments and cold snacks for the first hour of your visit from inside the visitor centre.

Payments are by contactless only, no cash is accepted. No refunds or exchanges are possible, unless a product is faulty.

If you are attending a children’s visit on a Wednesday, please arrive promptly for your visit. The tuck shop will be opened to purchase items between 8:45am and 9am.

How to book official visits

Legal visits can take place at an open table or a closed booth, face to face or via video link.

To book, you can:
- email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)
- telephone xx-xxxx-xxxx
Official video and official face to face visit times:
- Monday to Friday, 9am to 11am, 2pm to 4pm
Double sessions can be booked if you would like to use a 2-hour slot. (Please only book a double session if needed.)

Please give 2 working days’ notice for any bookings or amendments.

If you no longer require your official visit slot, please make cancellations or amendments at the earliest possible opportunity to allow others to use the slot.

Prohibited articles

Send an email to xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx) if you require an authorisation application to bring a prohibited article into the establishment (that is: camera, recording equipment and so on).

This must be completed completed at least 72 hours prior to the visit.

Laptops do not require prior authorisation, but wifi must not be connected.

Getting to Wormwood Scrubs

Find Wormwood Scrubs on a map (https://consent.google.com/m?continue=https://xxx@xxx.xx,-xx-xxxx-xxxx,15z/data%3D!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x88fc6b776f7439a8!8m2!3d51.5169637!4d-xx-xxxx-xxxx?shorturl%3D1&gl=IE&m=0&pc=m&uxe=eomtm&cm=2&hl=en&src=1)

Wormwood Scrubs is a 10-minute walk from East Acton underground station. The closest mainline railway station is London Paddington. Several local bus routes pass the prison.

To plan your journey by public transport:
- use Transport for London journey planner (https://tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey/)
- use National Rail Enquiries (https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/)
If coming by car, you can park outside the prison. You will need to pay and display at certain times during the week. Check times and prices on the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham website (https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/parking/pay-and-display).

There is no visitor parking in the prison.

Entering Wormwood Scrubs

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 (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).

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

Wormwood Scrubs has clothing requirements that must be adhered to for security reasons.

The following clothing should not be worn:
- hats, scarves or head coverings which are not worn on religious grounds
- jackets, coats, hoodies or gloves
- damaged or ripped clothing (irrespective of design)
- metal hair accessories
- steel toe capped shoes/boots/cycle/motorcycle shorts
- non-prescription sunglasses
- see-through/revealing clothing
- items of clothing that display offensive/abusive or insulting words or gestures
- mini or very short skirts/dresses without leggings
- shorts which are shorter than mid thigh to knee length
- visible/exposed underwear
- smart watches
- heavy metal jewellery
- jumpsuits or playsuits
- flip flops or sliders
- football shirts
- Hoodrich branded clothing
- sleeveless or vest tops
- midriff or cleavage on show
- cargo/pocketed trousers
- multiple pairs of trousers
- ponchos
There are strict controls on what you can take into Wormwood Scrubs. You will have to leave most of the things you have with you in a locker or with security, including 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 visitors centre run by the Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT) (https://www.prisonadvice.org.uk/prisons/hmp-wormwood-scrubs/) charity.

The centre is open:
- Monday to Thursday, 8am to 5pm
- Friday, 8am to 1pm
- Saturday, 8am to 5pm
- Sunday, 1pm to 5pm
Email: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx) Telephone: xx-xxxx-xxxx Find out about call charges (https://www.gov.uk/call-charges)

Keep in touch with someone at Wormwood Scrubs

There are several ways you can keep in touch with a prisoner during their time at Wormwood Scrubs.

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

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 (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/visit-a-prisoner-using-a-video-call)

Phone calls

Prisoners have access to in-cell and landing phones for making outgoing calls to preapproved phone numbers only.

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 (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 Wormwood Scrubs using the Email a Prisoner service (https://www.emailaprisoner.com/).

You might also be able to attach photos and receive replies from the prisoner, depending on the rules at Wormwood Scrubs.

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, you can use the Find a prisoner - GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/find-prisoner) service online.

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 are given a list of approved items that can be sent to them as gifts. Contact Wormwood Scrubs (#contacts) for more information on what’s allowed.

Family and friends are strongly advised to use Parcelforce to send parcels in to prisoners to ensure successful delivery.

Parcelforce are reliably able to comply with the prison’s local security requirements for receiving parcels. While other couriers may be used, if they cannot comply with the prison requirements parcels this can lead to delays or parcels being returned.

All parcels will be opened and checked by officers.

Sending books

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.

Make sure to include the person’s name and prisoner number on the parcel.

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).

Sending other parcels

Parcels with just books, do not need a parcel sticker. Other parcels need one of our parcel stickers.

When prisoners first arrive at Wormwood Scrubs, they will be given parcel stickers.

These stickers can be posted out to you (at our expense) for you to send in a parcel.

The sticker must be clearly stuck to the front of the parcel.

It must have all the details correctly completed, including your information and the prisoner’s.

If a parcel does not have a parcel sticker correctly completed on the front of it, it will be returned.

The parcel itself cannot contain electrical items or food items.

The box with the items in should be the following dimensions or smaller: W41cm, L50cm, H34cm to comply with our security procedures.

All parcels will be opened and checked by officers.

Life at Wormwood Scrubs

Wormwood Scrubs 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 Wormwood Scrubs 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 a prisoner first arrives at Wormwood Scrubs, 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 at the prison who will check how they’re feeling and ask about any immediate health and wellbeing needs.

Induction

Each person who arrives at Wormwood Scrubs 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

There are around 1,200 prisoners at Wormwood Scrubs in a mixture of single and shared cells. There are 5 main wings (A to E) plus a number of smaller specialist units.

Facilities include book rooms on all wings and a fully equipped gym.

Wormwood Scrubs Prison has a diverse, multi-faith chaplaincy team providing support to prisoners.

Education and work

Prisoners can choose from a broad range of learning opportunities, including:
- english
- maths
- information and communication technology (ICT)
- english for speakers of other languages (ESOL)
- catering
- customer service
- barbering
- rail-track laying
There are several contract workshops at Wormwood Scrubs where prisoners can gain work experience and qualifications, including industrial cleaning, laundry, and textiles.

Support for family and friends

Contact point for families & significant others: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).

Find out about advice and helplines for family and friends (https://www.gov.uk/support-for-families-friends-of-prisoners).

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 a problem contact Wormwood Scrubs (#contacts).

Independent inspections

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

Contact Wormwood Scrubs

Governor: Amy Frost

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

Address

HMP Wormwood ScrubsPO Box 757Du Cane RoadLondonW12 0AE

See map (https://consent.google.com/m?continue=https://xxx@xxx.xx,-xx-xxxx-xxxx,15z/data%3D!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x88fc6b776f7439a8!8m2!3d51.5169637!4d-xx-xxxx-xxxx?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/wormwoodscrubs/)