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

Coldingley is a prison for adult men in Woking, Surrey.

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Book and plan your visit to Coldingley

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

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

You can:
- book your visit online (https://www.gov.uk/prison-visits)
- telephone booking line: xx-xxxx-xxxx
Find out about call charges (https://www.gov.uk/call-charges)

The booking line is open:
- Monday, 12pm to 5pm
- Tuesday, 9am to 5pm
- Wednesday, 12pm to 5pm
- Thursday, 9am to 5pm
- Friday, 12pm to 5pm
Visiting times:
- Monday, 2pm to 4pm
- Tuesday, no visits
- Wednesday, 2pm to 4pm
- Thursday, 2pm to 4pm
- Friday, 2pm to 4pm
- Saturday, 2pm to 4pm
- Sunday, 9am to 11am and 2pm to 4pm
How to book official visits

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

Official face to face visits:
- Every first and third Thursday of the month, 9am to 11am
Getting to Coldingley

Find Coldingley on a map (https://xxx@xxx.xx,-xx-xxxx-xxxx,16.12z)

The closest railway station is Brookwood which is around 2.6 miles from Coldingley Prison. From there you can take a bus or taxi.

The other mainline train station is Woking which is 5.5 miles from Coldingley Prison. From there you can take a bus or taxi.

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

Entering Coldingley

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).

There is a visitor waiting area and you will be called in by staff to be booked in for your visit.

You must be at the prison gates no later than 10:15 am for morning visits and 3:15 pm for afternoon visits, if you are later than these times, 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.

Coldingley Prison has a strict dress code policy, which means visitors should wear smart clothes, no work clothes (including uniforms), no sports shirts or football shirts, no hoods, no mobile phones, no offensive logos, no sunglasses or headscarves unless worn for religious reasons, no ripped jeans, no vest tops, no short skirts or dresses.

There is wheelchair access, disabled toilets and mobile hearing loops for those who need them.

There are strict controls on what you can take into Coldingley Prison. You will have to leave most of the things you have with you in a locker (you will need a £1 coin) or with security. 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’ search area prior to entry into the prison.

Refreshments are available to purchase inside the visits hall. Purchases must be paid for using a contactless payment method, as we do not accept cash.

You will be told the rules by a member of staff 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 visitor waiting room run by PACT. It includes toilets and a children’s play area, and staff are available to offer support and advice to visitors.

The visitors waiting room is open every day from 8am to 4:30pm.

Family days

Coldingley run 12 family visits a year and can only be applied for by the prisoner.

Once an application is accepted the prisoner will be advised and it is up to the prisoner to pass the details on to their family.

Keep in touch with someone at Coldingley

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

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 have phones in their cells and are able to make calls at any time during phone hours. 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 Coldingley Prison using the EmailaPrisoner.com (http://www.emailaprisoner.com/). Through this service, family and friends can send a message which is printed out and delivered by prison staff by hand. Once you have signed up, you will receive an activation link via email which you must click on in order to activate your account and send a message. You must buy a minimum of £5 credit in order to use the service, which runs at a cost of 40p per email and at no charge to the recipient.

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, go to the GOV.uk website and type in the search bar, locate a prisoner and complete the application.

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

You cannot hand any parcels or items in at the prison, except books.

Prisoners in Coldingley are given a list of approved items that can be purchased through approved catalogues.

Prisoners can apply though the application process to have a clothing parcel sent in, depending on their IEP level. Any unauthorised parcels posted in will be returned to the sender.

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).

Security and safeguarding

Every prisoner at Coldingley 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.

Arrival and first night

When a prisoner first arrives at Coldingley, 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 Coldingley 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

There are over 500 prisoners at Coldingley, mostly housed in single cells.

There is a gym fitted out with weights and a badminton court and TV is available for prisoners who have earned privileges.

We have varied accommodation, A to D, which are some of the older wings have sanitation call system to access toilet facilities, these wings are currently being refurbished.

E wing has single and shared cells, all cells have showers and toilet facilities

F wing is shared accommodation for 10 prisoners.

G wing holds 63 single modular buildings that have showers and toilet facilities.

Education and work

As a resettlement prison, Coldingley only accepts prisoners who are prepared to work full-time and willing to take part fully in a resettlement programme.

All prisoners must be willing to commit to the drugs testing programme.

There is a standard day for all prisoners. It includes full-time work in workshops, vocational training and education.

There is a modern training and education centre which houses traditional education classrooms as well as vocational and business training facilities, including available IT in all areas. We offer vocational fitness training in the gym and varied industry based work in purpose built workshops.

Temporary release

Prisoners that are eligible for temporary licence (ROTL) will be individually risked assessed for suitability.

Support for family and friends

The prison advice and care trust team offer a wide range of relationship, parenting and family learning courses to encourage prisoners to make a fresh start.

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

Telephone: xx-xxxx-xxxx

If you have more general questions or concerns about how prisons operate and how prisoners are cared for you can find out more on the Prisoners’ Families Helpline website (https://www.prisonersfamilies.org/have-a-social-video-call-with-a-prisoner).

To contact the Head of family provision at HMP Coldingley, 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.

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

Problems and complaints

If you have any other problem contact Coldingley (#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 Coldingley Prison (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coldingley-prison-action-plan) in response to independent inspections.

Contact Coldingley

Governor: Governor D Ceglowski

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

Follow Coldingley on Twitter/X (https://twitter.com/Coldingley_HMP)

Address

HMP ColdingleyShaftesbury RoadBisley, WokingSurreyGU24 9EX

See map (https://xxx@xxx.xx,-xx-xxxx-xxxx,16.12z)

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