Maidstone Prison
Source: gov.uk (2025-09-18)

Maidstone is a prison in Maidstone, Kent, for foreign national men.

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Book and plan your visit to Maidstone

To visit someone in Maidstone you must:
- be on that person’s visitor list
- book your visit at least 2 working days in advance
- have the required ID (#entering-maidstone) with you when you go
Up to 3 visitors over the age of 12 are allowed at a time, plus children under 12. 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 Maidstone prison.

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

You can book your visit online (https://www.gov.uk/prison-visits), by telephone or by email to xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).

Telephone booking line: xx-xxxx-xxxx Booking line available Monday to Friday: 9am to 12:30pm Find out about call charges (https://www.gov.uk/call-charges)

Visiting times:
- Tuesday, 2pm to 4pm
- Thursday, 2pm to 4pm
- Saturday, 1:45pm to 3:45pm
- Sunday, 1:45pm to 3:45pm
You should book in at the visitors centre on arrival, from 12:30pm. Anyone arriving after 2:15pm may not be admitted.

How to book official visits

To arrange an official visit you can email, xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).

Official video visits:
- Monday to Friday, 8.45am to 10.45am
Official face to face visits:
- Monday to Friday, 8.45am to 10.45am
Getting to Maidstone

Find Maidstone on a map (https://consent.google.com/m?continue=https://xxx@xxx.xx,xx-xxxx-xxxx,15z/data%3D!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x9ac4ffa2026be586!8m2!3d51.2793606!4d0.5237286?shorturl%3D1&gl=IE&m=0&pc=m&uxe=eomtm&cm=2&hl=en&src=1)

The closest railway station is Maidstone East. From there you can take a short walk to the Prison.

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/)
There is some free on street parking for up to 2 hours or paid carparks nearby. (please check parking regulations in force at time of visit)

Disabled visitors can park outside of the prison.

Entering Maidstone

All visitors, aged 16 or older must prove their identity before entering HMP Maidstone. 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.
- Visitors must adhere to the prison dress code that applies, further details can be requested on your first visit
- There are strict controls on what you can take into HMP Maidstone. You will have to leave most of the things you have with you in a locker in the visitors’ centre or in your car - this includes pushchairs and car seats.
- Call the booking line if you have any questions about visiting.
Visiting facilities

The Dinsmore visitors centre is run by PACT (https://www.prisonadvice.org.uk/).

You can purchase refreshments during your visit.

The centre includes toilets and baby changing facilities.

Keep in touch with someone at Maidstone

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

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)

Family days

HMP Maidstone runs 8 family visits a year. Details on how these visits run can be found out by contacting xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).

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 Maidstone 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 Maidstone.

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 Maidstone (#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

Family and friends 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). Make sure to include the person’s name and prison number on the parcel. They will be opened and checked by officers.

It’s not possible to send any other items or property. You can send prisoners money instead which they can use to buy items through a catalogue system.

Life at Maidstone

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

It accommodates foreign national prisoners with between 3 and 36 months left to serve and provides liaison and forums with Home Office Immigration Enforcement.

Security and safeguarding

Every prisoner at Maidstone 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 Maidstone, 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 Maidstone gets an induction that lasts about two weeks. 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 600 prisoners live at Maidstone in a mixture of single and shared cells. There are 4 main residential house blocks and one segregation unit.

Facilities include a weights and fitness suite and an artificial turf sports pitch.

Education and work

Prisoners have access to a broad range of education courses and vocational workshops, including bricklaying and decorating.

Work opportunities include a printing workshop, waste management, horticulture, tailoring and contract workshops.

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).

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

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

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 or complaint about Maidstone prison, you can email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).

Contact Maidstone

Governor: Graham Spencer

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

Address

HMP Maidstone36 County RoadMaidstoneKentME14 1UZ

See map (https://consent.google.com/m?continue=https://xxx@xxx.xx,xx-xxxx-xxxx,15z/data%3D!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x9ac4ffa2026be586!8m2!3d51.2793606!4d0.5237286?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-minutes survey. (https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/hmpmaidstone/)