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

Hindley is a prison and young offender institution (YOI) in Bickershaw, near Wigan, for men aged 18 and over.

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Book and plan your visit to Hindley

To visit someone in Hindley you must:
- be on that person’s visitor list
- book your visit in advance
- have the required ID (#entering-hindley) with you when you go
There may be a limit to the number of visits a prisoner can have. You can check this with Hindley prison.

Contact Hindley (#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 Hindley
- 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).

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

The booking lines are open Monday to Friday: 9am to midday and 1pm to 3pm

Visiting times:
- Monday to Sunday: 2pm to 3:30pm
Visit details:
- there are no restrictions on who can visit a prisoner as long as they are on the prisoners approved visitors list
- visitors are restricted up to 3 adults and 3 children per visit
- children over 11 are classed as adults due to seating arrangements
- the canteen is open in the visits hall
- prisoners can have up to 2 visit per month and depending on their IEP level could also have ‘privilege’ visits
- families are allowed to bring up to £25 with them in change
How to book official visits

Official face to face visits can be booked by emailing xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

Official face to face visit times:
- Monday, 2pm to 3pm and 3pm to 4pm
- Wednesday, 2pm to 3pm and 3pm to 4pm
- Thursday: 2pm to 3pm and 3pm to 4pm
- Friday: 2pm to 3pm and 3pm to 4pm
Getting to Hindley

Find Hindley on a map (https://consent.google.com/m?continue=https://xxx@xxx.xx,-2.5768578,17z/data%3D!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x487b060c8dec9ceb:0x948bf2590ca7a407!8m2!3d53.5178321!4d-2.5768578!16s%252Fm%252F04ygpp3?entry%3Dtts&gl=IE&m=0&pc=m&uxe=eomtm&cm=2&hl=en&src=1)

The closest railway stations are Wigan North Western (360 towards Warrington) and Wigan Wallgate (Line 9 towards Higher Folds) where you can catch a local bus to Hindley. There are also taxi ranks outside the stations.

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/)
By bus:

You can catch the 658 bus from Wigan bus station. The bus stops at the top of the road leading to the establishment.

By car:

Travelling from Liverpool on the A580 East Lancashire Road: Exit at the East Lancashire Road/M6 (junction 24), turning left following signs for Ashton. Continue on the A58 through Ashton town centre for approximately 3 miles. Turn right at the traffic lights/T junction (signpost HM Prison). Almost immediately, turn left into Bickershaw Lane, and continue for 1 mile until you see a signpost directing left to HMYOI Hindley. Parking is signposted on left of the main gate next to the Visitor Centre.

Travelling from Manchester on the A580 East Lancashire Road: Exit the East Lancashire Road turning right at Golbourne and following the directions for Abram. Continue for approximately 2.5 miles through Golbourne. At a public house called the Dover Lock the road will bend sharply to the right, over the canal bridge. Continue for approximately 1 mile until you reach a set of traffic lights, turn right onto Bickershaw Road. Continue for 1 mile until you see a signpost directing left to HMYOI Hindley. Parking is signposted on left of the main gate next to the Visitor Centre.

Travelling on the M61 motorway: Exit the M61 at junction 5 travelling towards Westhoughton and Wigan. Stay in the left lane, at the next roundabout, take the 2nd main exit following the signs for the A58 Wigan. Turn left at the next set of traffic lights, signposted ‘Leigh’. Proceed for approximately 1 mile, pass a train station on the left and go straight on at the roundabout. After another mile turn right at the traffic lights. Continue for 1 mile to the next set of traffic lights and turn left, following the sign for Leigh A578. Turn right at the next traffic lights into Smiths Lane. Continue for 1.5 miles until you see a signpost directing right to HMYOI Hindley.

There is a visitors car park to the left of the main gate (signposted as visitors car park).

Entering Hindley

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).

Except for urgent visits approved by the Duty Governor, all visitors to prisoners must pre-booked whether their visit is domestic or professional.

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

There are refreshments available to purchase during your visit. Visitors are allowed to bring up to £25 in change, notes are not allowed.

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 Partners of Prisoners (POPS) (http://www.partnersofprisoners.co.uk/hmyoi-hindley/).

Facilities include:
- waiting room
- coin operated lockers
- general information about visiting and opportunities at Hindley
- disabled access and facilities
- disabled, male and female toilet with baby changing facilities
- refreshments available to purchase in the Visits Hall
- TV for displaying resettlement opportunities, books, and activities
- dedicated neurodiversity visits called Blue visits via application process
- family photos available to purchase on your visits
The centre is open every day from 12:30pm to 4:30pm.

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

Family days

These will be for those aged over 13 (with some designated for younger children) and will take place over the year. There will be some in term time and some in the school holidays.

Family days will be advertised and prisoners can apply using the internal application system.

We are also using the family room throughout the year for prisoners to use, this can also be applied to use through internal application and will go through a screening process.

Keep in touch with someone at Hindley

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

For the main switchboard please call: xx-xxxx-xxxx.

Phone calls

Prisoners have phones in their cells and 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 Hindley 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 Hindley.

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)

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 Hindley (#contacts).

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

Postal address:

HMP/YOI Hindley Barracks Road Hindley Wigan WN2 5TH

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.

We do not allow families to send in items or bring them on a visit.

Money can be sent (https://www.gov.uk/send-prisoner-money) to a prisoner allowing them to order clothes through the catalogue process.

Gifts and parcels

Only specific items are allowed. Contact Hindley (#contacts) for more information.

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 Hindley

Hindley 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 Hindley 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).

Hindley’s chaplaincy team provides a wide range of multi-faith services as well as guidance and support to those of all faiths and none.

Arrival and first night

We have prisoners as transfers from other establishments. All prisoners transferring are required to be sentenced.

All prisoners arriving at Hindley follow a reception process where their immediate needs are identified and any safeguarding issues addressed.

All prisoners transferring will be provided with an in-cell telephone and all telephone numbers are transferred across from their previous prison.

First night arrangements will be explained to them by an early days officer, in addition they will have an assessment with a healthcare professional.

All new prisoners will be located on A wing, this is our Early Days Centre, they will spend their first night at Hindley on this wing.

Induction

There is an induction timetable in place where all prisoners will have meetings with staff and peer mentors from each department in the prison

The early days process is also supported by ‘the Insiders’ who are peer mentors - prisoners who provide additional support to prisoners both during the early days and when they have moved to other residential units.

Each prisoner who arrives at Hindley gets an induction that lasts about 2 days. 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
- meet the PE staff and take part in gym Induction
- complete job and education applications suited to their sentence plan or interests
Everyone also finds out about the rules, fire safety, and how things like calls and visits work.

Accommodation

Hindley has 8 residential units housing up to 590 prisoners:
- A induction unit
- B, C and D each hold up to 84 prisoners
- E unit – recovery and incentivised substance free living
- F unit – general population
- Acorn – Pre-pipe unit for prisoners referred from the OPD pathway
- Care and Separation Unit
Education and work

All prisoners have access to education and training provided by Novus.

Prisoners can work on their literacy, and numeracy and digital skills before progressing to vocational training in catering and hospitality, joinery, construction multi skills, barbering, and business. highways and painting and decorating.

Novus also offers mentoring qualifications for those who support their peers, and a life skills course for those prisoners progressing towards living independently on release.

Prisoners can also study for a range of sports qualifications within our gym provision. There is a large sports hall, 2 weightlifting areas, exercise area and outdoor pitches for prisoners of all fitness levels.

We also facilitate the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and offer programmes working alongside Manchester City in the Community.

Prisoners can work in a range of roles at Hindley following a workplace induction with education in: cleaning, kitchen, gym, chapel, library, gardening, waste recycling, packing, textiles upcycling, furniture restoration, painting and maintenance, food packing, the laundry and Tier One workshop (computer breakdown).

There are also a wide range of peer support role opportunities for prisoners to access across 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).

In case of an emergency please contact: xx-xxxx-xxxx

To get in touch with the Families Lead please email: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

Our family service provider is POPS (Partners of Prisoners) (http://www.partnersofprisoners.co.uk).

Visits Centre telephone number: xx-xxxx-xxxx

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 Hindley (#contacts).

Independent inspections

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

Contact Hindley

Governor: Natalie McKee

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

Address

HMP/YOI HindleyBarracks RoadBickershawWiganWN2 5TH

See map (https://consent.google.com/m?continue=https://xxx@xxx.xx,-2.5768578,17z/data%3D!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x487b060c8dec9ceb:0x948bf2590ca7a407!8m2!3d53.5178321!4d-2.5768578!16s%252Fm%252F04ygpp3?entry%3Dtts&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/hindley/)