Channings Wood Prison
Source: gov.uk (2025-10-21)

Channings Wood is a men’s prison near Newton Abbot in Devon.

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Book and plan your visit to Channings Wood

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

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

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

You can book your visit by telephone.

Booking line: xx-xxxx-xxxx

Booking line opening times:
- Monday, 10am to 2:30pm
- Tuesday, 10am to 2:30pm
- Wednesday, 10am to 2:30pm
- Thursday, 10am to 2:30pm
- Friday, 10am to 2:30pm
- Saturday, closed
- Sunday, closed
Find out about call charges (https://www.gov.uk/call-charges)

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

Visiting times:
- Monday, closed
- Tuesday, closed
- Wednesday, 2pm to 4pm
- Thursday, closed
- Friday, 2pm to 4pm
- Saturday, 2pm to 4pm
- Sunday, 2pm to 4pm
Saturday and Sunday visits alternate between prisoners in the main prison and the vulnerable prisoner’s unit. The booking line can advise you on the appropriate weekend day to visit.

The visiting entitlement is one hour only, between the hours of 2pm to 4pm, however we will endeavour to allow you to have as much time as possible.

How to book official visits

To arrange an official visit you can:
- email, xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)
Official video and face to face visits:
- Tuesday, 9:30am to 11:30am
- Thursday, 9:30am to 11:30am
When booking, include:
- name of the prisoner
- date and time
- contact details
Getting to Channings Wood

Find HMP Channings Wood on a map (https://consent.google.com/m?continue=https://xxx@xxx.xx,-3.6538677,17z/data%3D!4m5!3m4!1s0x486d046f1cae26d5:0xf84374b128c841d9!8m2!3d50.5105802!4d-3.651679?shorturl%3D1&gl=IE&m=0&pc=m&uxe=eomtm&cm=2&hl=en&src=1)

The closest railway station is Newton Abbot which is around 4 miles from Channings Wood Prison. There is a large taxi rank at the train station and will cost approximately £13 to £15 Monday to Saturday and approximately £18 to £20 on Sundays.

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 a bus stop at the front of the drive to the establishment that leaves from Sherbourne road in Newton Abbot (main bus station) this is a county bus service and information for the service can be found here (http://countrybusdevon.co.uk/176-newton-abbot-denbury-via-ogwell/).

There is limited parking available onsite for visitors, including spaces at the front entrance for Blue Badge holders.

Entering Channings Wood

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).

Children visiting HMP Channings Wood 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.

Book in at the visitors centre at least half an hour before your visit. The booking office opens at midday on visit days.

You must be at the prison gates no later than 3pm for your visit, if you’re later than this time, you will not be allowed to enter.

You may have your finger or thumb prints scanned as part of a security check. You may also have an iris scan. All visitors, apart from children, will have their photo taken.

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

Channings Wood Prison has a strict dress code policy.

The following items of clothing should not be worn:
- hats, scarves, or head coverings which are not worn on religious grounds
- jackets or coats, hoodies, or gloves
- inappropriately damaged clothing
- metal hair accessories
- steel toe capped shoes/boots or cycle/motorcycle shoes
- non-prescription glasses, that is: sunglasses
- see-through / revealing clothing
- ripped Jeans
- items of clothing that display offensive abusive or insulting words or gestures
- mini or very short skirts/dresses unless worn with leggings
- shorts which are shorter than mid-thigh to knee length
- visible or exposed underwear
- smart watches
It is up to prison staff to make decisions and judgements as to when clothing is inappropriate. When making these decisions, staff will always consider decency and diversity. You may be asked to adjust clothing or wear alternative clothing if available. As a last resort your visit may be cancelled if the dress code cannot be followed.

There are strict controls on what you can take into Channings Wood Prison. You will have to leave most of the things you have with you in a locker. This includes pushchairs and car seats.

You may bring in dummies, baby wipes, nappies, milk powder and prescribed medication. All baby items must be in a clear plastic bag.

Please note that some of these items may be bagged and tagged in the Visitors’ Centre prior to entry into the prison.

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 Prison Advice and Care Trust (https://www.prisonadvice.org.uk/hmp-channings-wood). 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 midday to 4:30pm.

Telephone: xx-xxxx-xxxx
- Wednesday, midday to 4:30pm
- Friday, midday to 4:30pm
- Saturday, midday to 4:30pm
- Sunday, midday to 4:30pm
Food and Drink is available during your visit. When you arrive at the Visitor Centre to sign in, you will be given an order form where you can choose what food and drink, you’d like during your visit. Refreshments are paid for prior to your visit and payment can only be made with cash.

Please note, food and drink are subject to availability, and we may not always have the full menu.

Family days

Channings Wood run family visits throughout the year. Details on how these visits are run and what dates they are can be found by contacting: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

PACT (https://www.prisonadvice.org.uk/hmp-channings-wood) provides a range of activities for the whole family.

Keep in touch with someone at Channings Wood

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

Secure video calls for family and friends by Prison Video

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 cannot receive calls and can only make them. 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 Channings Wood 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 Channings Wood.

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 Channings Wood (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/channings-wood-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).

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

People in Channings Wood are given a list of approved items that can be sent to them as gifts. Contact Channings Wood (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/channings-wood-prison#contacts) for more information on what’s allowed.

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

All parcels will be opened and checked by officers.

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 Channings Wood

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

Arrival and first night

When a prisoner first arrives at Channings Wood, 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 or family needs.

Induction

Each prisoner who arrives at Channings Wood gets an induction that lasts about 3 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

Up to 748 prisoners are accommodated at HMP Channings Wood. All cells have a toilet, sink and a phone.

There is a gym and sports hall.

A chapel and separate multi-faith room is available. Appropriate services and meetings are arranged for all major religions.

Education and work

Prisoners at Channings Wood are encouraged to take part in meaningful activity and gain qualifications by enrolling into education and vocational training or work in one of the prison industries or domestic roles.

The prison has 4 large industrial workshops and many vocational training courses and educational activities as well as offending behaviour programmes (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/offending-behaviour-programmes-and-interventions).

There are resettlement services that offer advice on housing, debt management and help with finding employment.

Temporary Release

Some prisoners may qualify for release on temporary licence. This can be used to gain work experience in the local community, prepare for release or spend time with family. 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 Reducing Re-Offending or our family champion at Channings Wood please email: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).

Concerns, problems, complaints and security and safeguarding

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.

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

Inspection reports

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

Contact Channings Wood

Governor: Huw Sullivan

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

Address

HMP Channings WoodDenburyNewton AbbotDevonTQ12 6DW

See map (https://consent.google.com/m?continue=https://xxx@xxx.xx,-3.6538677,17z/data%3D!4m5!3m4!1s0x486d046f1cae26d5:0xf84374b128c841d9!8m2!3d50.5105802!4d-3.651679?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/channings-wood/).