Cardiff Prison
Source: gov.uk (2025-09-02)

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

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Book and plan your visit to Cardiff prison

To visit someone in Cardiff Prison you must:
- be on that person’s visitor list
- book your visit at least 48 hours in advance
- have the required ID (#entering-cardiff-prison) with you when you go
At least one visitor must be 18 or older at every visit.

There are limits to the number of visits a prisoner can have. This varies depending on their circumstances. You can check this with Cardiff Prison.

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 Cardiff Prison
- 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 lines are open:
- Monday to Friday, 10am to 3pm
Visiting times:
- Monday to Friday, 2pm to 3:30pm
- Saturday, 9:30am to 11am and 2pm to 3:30pm
- Sunday, 2pm to 3:30pm
How to book legal and professional visits

You can book a face-to-face legal visit by email to xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx) or by telephone.

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

Video visits

You can book a professional video visit by email to xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).

Legal visiting times:
- Monday to Friday, 9am to 10am, 10:30am to 11:30am, 2pm to 3pm and 3:15pm to 4:15pm
Solicitors/legal teams or any professional visitors may bring paperwork into the prison, this will be subject to the standard security checks. All paperwork must be taken back out of the prison with the visitor. Any legal paperwork for a prisoner must be posted into the prison and cannot be handed over to the prisoner during the visit.

Getting to Cardiff Prison

Find Cardiff Prison on a map (https://consent.google.com/m?continue=https://xxx@xxx.xx,-3.1837821,15z/data%3D!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x8156198b8d8c6a18!8m2!3d51.4810689!4d-3.xx-xxxx-xxxx?shorturl%3D1&gl=IE&m=0&pc=m&uxe=eomtm&cm=2&hl=en&src=1)

Cardiff Prison is about a mile from Cardiff Central station and next to Cardiff Queen Street station.

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 but there is an NCP multi-story car park (https://www.ncp.co.uk/find-a-car-park/car-parks/cardiff-knox-road/) directly opposite the prison. The road outside the prison also allows Blue Badge holders to make short stops.

Entering Cardiff 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, including children, will be given a rub-down search, supported by an archway metal detector or hand-held wand.

An X-Ray Scanner will be used for carried items.

Please be aware that mandatory ‘entry and exit,’ security procedures can cause delay.

You are advised to arrive at the prison 30 minutes before the start time of your visit.

On weekdays, visitors should report to the family visitors centre to check-in for their visit.

Please be aware exiting the prison may take some time.

Please consider these factors when making travel plans/arrangements. Entry and exit procedures are essential in protecting the public and maintaining a safe environment at HMP Cardiff.

HMP Cardiff has a strict dress code policy which means visitors should dress appropriately. You may be turned away if you are wearing items like:
- revealing clothing or clothing with offensive slogans
- hats, scarves or head coverings that are not worn on religious grounds
- sunglasses
- muscle vests, bare chests or ripped tops
- offensive or football slogans on clothing
- large belt buckles
- smart watches or fitness trackers
- ripped or damaged clothing, including ripped jeans
- steel toe capped shoes/boots or cycle/motorcycle shoes
- low-cut, backless or see through tops, no spaghetti strap tops, low-cut, backless or see through tops
- shorts that are shorter than mid-thigh. No mini or very short dresses/skirts unless worn with leggings
- bags including handbags - please put in a locker before your visit
This list is not exhaustive. Ask at the visitors centre if you have questions about appropriate dress.

Refreshments are available during your visit.

There are strict controls on what you can take into Cardiff Prison. 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, which can be stored inside the entrance. Cardiff has pushchairs that can be borrowed while 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.

You could face an unlimited fine and prison sentence if you attempt to bring prohibited items into the prison.

Family visitors centre

HMP Cardiff has a family visitors centre supervised by staff from Invisible Walls Family Services (https://invisiblewalls.co.uk/visitor-centres/).

You can find it outside the prison, the first building on the right as you walk in.

The visitors centre is open Monday to Friday, 1pm to 4:15pm.

On weekdays, visitors should report to the family visitors centre to check-in for their visit.

(On a Saturday and Sunday all visitors only need to report to the main gate of the prison to be booked in for their visit.)

You will receive a booking-in card to take along with your ID to the main prison, once escorted there by staff.

There are free lockers available to lock away any valuables.

You must keep your ID with you to complete booking in at the front gate, where it will then be kept locked away. It can be collected once your visit has ended.

Invisible Walls provide the family services at HMP Cardiff. Advice and support is from the staff.

Family days

HMP Cardiff run 10 family visits a year, along with 10 baby groups sessions. Additional family interventions are completed when required.

Keep in touch with someone at Cardiff Prison

There are several ways you can keep in touch with someone during their time at Cardiff Prison.

Secure video calls

You will need to download and install the free Prison Video app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store (or equivalent app stores outside the UK) on your phone or tablet device and then create an account. Only people aged 18 or over can register for an account with Prison Video.

You will need to provide your name, address, and date of birth, and upload photos of your ID and face. You will also need to add details of any other people who wish to take part in the video calls with you, such as children, and upload a clear photo of each participant’s face.

You will need to upload ID for people over the age of 18 only, unless the prison specifically asks for anything else.

A user guide and other information is available at www.prisonersfamilies.org/prison-video (https://www.prisonersfamilies.org/change-of-video-call-service).

Secure video call times:
- Tuesday to Friday: 9am to 9:30am, 9:50am to 10:20am, 10:40am to 11:10am, 11:30am to 12pm
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 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 Cardiff Prison using the Email a Prisoner service (https://www.emailaprisoner.com/).

You might also be able to attach photos and receive replies, depending on the rules at Cardiff 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 Cardiff Prison (#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

Friends and family can hand in the following items before a visit on a Saturday AM visit or Sunday PM visit:
- court clothes (shirts, trousers, shoes, ties and jackets)
- underwear and up to 5 pairs of socks
- reading glasses but no contact lenses and solution
Prisoners on ‘enhanced’ behaviour or on remand are also allowed one top and one pair of bottoms. There are some restrictions, including no hoodies, black or white tops, zipped tops/jackets or sports tops displaying teams or inappropriate images or logos relating to drugs.

Make sure to label the items with the person’s name and prisoner number.

All items 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).

Contact Cardiff Prison (#contacts) for more information on gifts and parcels.

Life at Cardiff Prison

Cardiff 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 Cardiff Prison 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).

All prisoners are allocated a key worker to support them during their time in prison. There is also 24 hour health care cover.

Arrival and first night

When someone first arrives at Cardiff 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. They will be offered the chance to have a shower, a hot meal and drink before being moved into the first night centre.

Induction

Each prisoner who arrives at Cardiff Prison gets an induction. 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
- religious requirements
- other support (sometimes called ‘interventions’), such as managing difficult emotions
There is also an induction presentation which covers prison rules, fire safety, behaviour and how things like calls and visits work.

Accommodation

Around 800 prisoners are at Cardiff Prison. There are 6 units with a mixture of single and shared cells. Each unit includes showers and telephones.

There is a gym offering a range of activities for prisoners of all physical abilities. They also have access to library facilities.

There is a diverse, multi-faith chaplaincy team providing support to prisoners.

Education and work

Cardiff Prison aims to provide all prisoners with purposeful activity and provides a full-time programme of 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.

Through industry workshops, prisoners can learn barista skills, production and manufacturing, industrial cleaning, street and rail works and more.

Work is available throughout the prison, including wing cleaning, wing painting and kitchen duties.

Cardiff Prison also runs a number of accredited offending behaviour programmes (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/offending-behaviour-programmes-and-interventions).

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 Cardiff Prison

The G4S 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.

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

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.

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

Problems and complaints

If you have any other problem contact Cardiff Prison (#contacts).

Inspection reports

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

Contact Cardiff Prison

Governor (interim): Andrew Phillips

Telephone (24 hours): xx-xxxx-xxxx Fax: xx-xxxx-xxxx Offender management unit (OMU)/custody fax: xx-xxxx-xxxx Find out about call charges (https://www.gov.uk/call-charges)

Address

HMP CardiffKnox RoadCardiffCF24 0UG

See map (https://consent.google.com/m?continue=https://xxx@xxx.xx,-3.1837821,15z/data%3D!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x8156198b8d8c6a18!8m2!3d51.4810689!4d-3.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/hmpcardiff/).