Wandsworth Prison
Source: gov.uk (2025-10-10)

Wandsworth is a men’s prison in the London Borough of Wandsworth, South West London.

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Book and plan your visit to Wandsworth

To visit someone in Wandsworth you must:
- be on that person’s visitor list
- book your visit in advance
- have the required ID (#entering-wandsworth) 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 Wandsworth.

Contact Wandsworth (#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 Wandsworth
- 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 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.

Visitors needing additional mobility support, please make us aware when booking your visit.

Visiting times:
- Monday to Thursday, 10:30am to 11:30am, 1:30pm to 2:30pm and 3:30pm to 4:30pm
- Friday, no visits
- Saturday and Sunday,9am to 10am, 10:30am to 11:30am, 1:30pm to 2:30pm and 3:30pm to 4:30pm
Available to all prisoners, maximum 3 adults and 3 children per visit.

How to book official visits

To arrange an official visit you can:
- email for video visits, xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)
- email for face to face visits, xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)
Official video visit times:
- Monday to Friday, 9am to 11am (hourly) and 2pm to 4pm (hourly).
All appointments are hourly but you can book a 2 hour slot if needed.

The primary use of the video booths are for courts. Whenever we can, we’ll book the appointment slot you’ve requested. Appointments must start and end on time to avoid impacting others, including court-related bookings.

Official face to face visit times:
- Monday to Thursday, 8:30am to 9:15am, 9:30am to 10:30am, 10:45am to 11:45am, 1:45pm to 2:45pm, 3:15pm to 4:15pm
You must include in your booking email:
- name and number of the prisoner
- name of visitors attending (max 3)
- place of work
- contact number
- preferred and alternative dates and times of visit
Getting to Wandsworth

Find Wandsworth on a map (https://consent.google.com/m?continue=https://xxx@xxx.xx,-0.1773806,15z/data%3D!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x2108b13216896cee!8m2!3d51.4498082!4d-0.1773806&gl=IE&m=0&pc=m&uxe=eomtm&cm=2&hl=en&src=1)

The closest railways stations to Wandsworth are Wandsworth Town, Wandsworth Common and Earlsfield which are all about a mile away.

Clapham Junction station is just over a mile away.

Local bus routes 77 and 219 come to near the establishment from Clapham Junction Station. If travelling on 77, you need to get off at stop Heathfield Road and if travelling on 219, then you need to get off at stop County Arms.

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, use the postcode SW18 3HU for sat nav.

You will need to find parking outside of the prison. There is no visitor car park at the prison and most local roads are limited to permit holders.

Entering Wandsworth

On your first visit to Wandsworth, you will have your fingerprints taken for the security system. These will be used to confirm your identity on future visits.

You will also need to bring ID to every visit.

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 rub-down search, including children.

Security dogs may also be in operation. You may be subject to a search from a passive drugs dog

Wandsworth has a family-friendly dress code which means visitors should dress appropriately.

You may be turned away if you are wearing items like vests, low-cut tops, high-cut shorts or dresses or ripped jeans.

Additionally, you cannot wear anything with offensive patterns or slogans. You will need to remove scarves, gloves, watches, sunglasses and hats (except religious head coverings) before you go in.

Ask in the visitors centre if you have questions about the dress code.

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

There is a visitors centre run by the Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT) (https://www.prisonadvice.org.uk/prisons/hmp-wandsworth/) charity. Family and friends can relax, buy refreshments and get advice and support from the staff.

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

There are lockers in the visitors centre to store your belongings. You will need a £1 coin for this.

Family days

Wandsworth holds monthly family days giving prisoners more time to spend with their children in a more relaxed setting.

They also host a monthly Homework Club for prisoners to help their children with homework.

Prisoners can apply for these visits.

Keep in touch with someone at Wandsworth

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

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 phones in their cells and are able to make outgoing calls. They have to buy phone credits to do this.

Phones do not accept incoming calls so they will always have to call you.

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 Wandsworth 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 Wandsworth.

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 Wandsworth (#contacts).

All post, apart from legal letters, will be opened and checked by officers.

National Prison Radio’s Family and Friends request show

National Prison Radio broadcasts into prison cells across England and Wales 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Family and friends can stay connected with their loved ones in prison by sending song requests, written messages and voice recordings. They are then read and played out on weekly episodes.

You can send in a message, and hear the show, at nationalprisonradio.com (https://prison.radio/national-prison-radio/#songrequest)

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

Whenever the Property Hub in the visitors’ centre is open, friends and family can drop off the following items for processing:
- books
- socks
- underwear
- prescription glasses
Please remember to bring both photo ID and proof of address dated within the last 3 months.

The Property Hub is open:
- Tuesday: 9am to 11:45 am and 1:30pm to 3:45pm
- Thursday: 9am to 11:45 am and 1:30pm to 3:45pm
- Saturday: 9am to 11:45am
Handing-in other types of clothing

Prisoners must apply for permission to receive a ‘hand in’ of clothing (other than socks or underwear). They can do this by making a Kiosk request.

When this has been approved, the prisoner will receive a message stating the date that the property should be brought in.

They are given a list of approved items that can be handed in.

Black, white, navy blue and camouflage patterned clothing is not allowed.

External pockets, ripped clothing, hoods, padded or quilted clothing, slogans or sports teams, string vests, belts with large buckles and three quarter length trousers/shorts are not allowed.

You can bring in up to:
- 10 pairs of underpants
- 10 pairs of socks
- 7 tops
- 3 pairs of bottoms
- 3 pairs of shorts
- 2 sets of pyjamas
- 1 dressing gown
- 2 towels
- 2 flannels
- 1 pair of sliders
- 2 pairs of trainers
- 1 watch (value under £50)
- 2 prayer gowns
Prisoners under 49 can request a clothing ‘hand-in’ once a year.

Prisoners over 50 can request a clothing ‘hand-in’ every 6 months.

Posting-in parcels

For all parcels, make sure to include the person’s name and prisoner number on the parcel.

Books, underwear and socks can also be posted in without requesting first.

For any other items, including other types of clothing, prisoners must make a Kiosk request before items are sent in.

This is to ensure items are authorised and meets the prison’s criteria.

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).

All parcels will be opened and checked by officers.

Contact Wandsworth (#contacts) or ask at the visitors centre for more information.

Life at Wandsworth

Wandsworth 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 Wandsworth 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).

The Samaritans also train prisoners to be ‘listeners’ to help support other prisoners going through difficult times.

Arrival and first night

When a prisoner first arrives at Wandsworth, 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 person who arrives at Wandsworth 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 1600 prisoners are accommodated at Wandsworth across 5 wings. These are A, B, C, D and E. There is a mixture of single and shared cells. Each wing has its own showers and canteen.

Other buildings hold the visiting halls, gyms, sports hall, library, classrooms and workshops.

Wandsworth also 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)
- barbering
- catering
- bicycle repair
- gardening and horticulture
- construction skills
- radio production
Other opportunities include:
- a befriending and support service for foreign nationals
- embroidery lessons and workshop
- Liberty choir
- yoga
- parenting skills
- employability skills
- musician in residence
- mindfulness
Work is also available throughout the prison.

Organisations Wandsworth works with

Shannon Trust (https://www.shannontrust.org.uk) helps prisoners with their reading skills and trains prisoners to be peer mentors.

StandOut (https://www.standout.org.uk) helps prisoners with their employability skills, CVs and disclosure letters and works to create employment opportunities for them as they approach release.

Catch22 (https://www.catch-22.org.uk/) is a foreign national and rehabilitative support for prisoners.

Change grow Live (CGL) (https://www.changegrowlive.org/) is a charity that helps prisoners with drug, alcohol and well-being challenges.

GamCare (https://www.gamcare.org.uk/) provides support for problem gambling.

Hepititis C Trust (https://www.hepctrust.org.uk/) a charity to support those with Hepatitis C.

Liberty Choir (https://libertychoir.org/) is a choir who work with prisoners to encourage social development.

Pathway 2 Progress (https://www.pathway2progress.net/) provides support for employment and housing.

Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT) (https://www.prisonadvice.org.uk/) is a support provider for prisoner’s and their families.

St Mungo’s (https://www.mungos.org/) a homelessness support.

Shaw Trust (https://shawtrust.org.uk/) provides support for education and employment.

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 Wandsworth

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 any other problem contact Wandsworth (#contacts).

Inspection reports

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

Contact Wandsworth

Governor: Andy Davy

Telephone (24 hours): xx-xxxx-xxxx Find out about call charges (https://www.gov.uk/call-charges)

Follow Wandsworth on Twitter/X (https://twitter.com/hmp_wandsworth)

Address

HMP WandsworthPO Box 757Heathfield RoadWandsworthLondonSW18 3HS

See map (https://consent.google.com/m?continue=https://xxx@xxx.xx,-0.1773806,15z/data%3D!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x2108b13216896cee!8m2!3d51.4498082!4d-0.1773806&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-minutes survey. (https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/hmpwandsworth/)