Swansea Prison
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-28)

Swansea Prison is a men’s prison in the centre of Swansea, Wales.

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Book and plan your visit to Swansea prison

To visit someone in Swansea Prison you must:
- be on that person’s visitor list
- book your visit at least 24 hours in advance
- have the required ID (#entering-swansea-prison) 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 Swansea Prison.

Contact Swansea Prison (#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 Swansea Prison
- 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 to Friday, 8:45am to 11:45am and 1pm to 3:45pm Find out about call charges (https://www.gov.uk/call-charges)

Visiting times:
- Monday to Thursday, 2pm to 3pm and 3:30pm to 4:30pm
- Saturday and Sunday, 2pm to 3pm and 3:30pm to 4:30pm
You should arrive at least one hour before your scheduled visit.

How to book official visits

To arrange an official visit you can:
- email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)
- telephone xx-xxxx-xxxx
Official video visit times:
- Monday to Friday, 8am to 4:30pm (one hour slots)
To arrange an official face to face visit you can:
- email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)
- telephone xx-xxxx-xxxx
Booking line opens Monday to Friday, 8:45am to 11:45am and 1pm to 3:45pm. Find out about call charges (https://www.gov.uk/call-charges)

Official face to face visit times:
- Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 11:15am (45 minute slots)
Getting to Swansea Prison

Find Swansea Prison on a map (https://goo.gl/maps/HnWoWYuBxK32D5G5A)

HMP Swansea is located on Oystermouth Road. Just 1 mile from the train and a short walk from the bus station.

There is a pay and display car park directly opposite the prison “Paxton St car park”. Please use the route finder for directions to SA1 3SR.

For any further enquiries please email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).

To plan your journey by public transport:
- use National Rail Enquiries (https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/)
- use Traveline for local bus times (https://www.traveline.info/)
There is no visitor parking at the prison but visitors can use the pay-and-display Paxton Street car park (https://www.swansea.gov.uk/citycentrecarparks) just opposite.

Entering Swansea 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 (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 be given a level B rub down search, including children.

You may also be subject to an inspection by our security dogs.

Visitors must adhere to the prison dress code – appropriate and family friendly.

There are strict controls on what you can take into HMP Swansea. You will have to leave most of the things in a locker at the visitors’ centre or in your car - this includes pushchairs and car seats.

Call the booking line if you have any questions about visiting.

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/hmp-swansea) charity.

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

Family days

HMP Swansea run 12 family visits a year. Details on how these visits run can be found by emailing: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

Keep in touch with someone at Swansea Prison

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

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 do not have phones in their cells so 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.

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 Swansea Prison 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 Swansea Prison.

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 Swansea Prison (#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).

Gifts and parcels

Prisoners may be allowed to receive parcels from loved ones.

Ask in the visitors centre for information on property processes at Swansea Prison.

Life at Swansea Prison

Swansea Prison is committed to providing a safe and educational environment where prisoners can learn new skills to help them on release.

Security and safeguarding

Every prisoner at Swansea Prison has a right to feel safe. The staff are responsible for their safeguarding and welfare at all times.

Prisoners can also be trained by the Samaritans to be ‘listeners’ to help support people going through difficult times.

Arrival and first night

When a prisoner first arrives at Swansea 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.

Induction

Each prisoner that arrives at Swansea 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

Around 500 prisoners live at Swansea Prison across 6 units.

Education and work

Prisoners have access to a broad programme of learning opportunities, ranging from basic skills, such as English, Welsh and maths, to higher learning and qualifications.

Employment is available in prison workshops, kitchens and recycling units.

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).

Support at Swansea Prison

The Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT) team provides a range of information, guidance and support to families and friends of prisoners. You can call or ask in the visitors centre to speak to someone.

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 Swansea Prison (#contacts). If you cannot resolve the problem directly, you can make a complaint to HM Prison and Probation Service (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/her-majestys-prison-and-probation-service/about/complaints-procedure).

Inspection reports

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

Contact Swansea Prison

Governor: Chris Simpson

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

Follow Swansea Prison on Twitter/X (https://twitter.com/hmpswansea)

Address

HMP Swansea200 Oystermouth RoadSwanseaSA1 3SR

See map (https://goo.gl/maps/HnWoWYuBxK32D5G5A)

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

Helpwch ni i wella’r dudalen hon. Rhowch eich adborth i ni yn yr arolwg 2 funud hwn (https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/swansea-prison/).