Manchester Prison
Source: gov.uk (2025-12-03)

Manchester Prison is a men’s high security prison in Manchester city centre. It was known as Strangeways until 1994.

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Book and plan your visit to Manchester prison

To visit someone in Manchester prison you must:
- be on that person’s visitor list
- book your visit between 2 weeks and 24 hours in advance
- have the required ID (#entering-manchester) 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 Manchester Prison.

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

Reception visits take place during a prisoner’s first few weeks in Manchester Prison at the times shown below.

You can book a reception visit by:
- calling 0161 817 5655
- emailing xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)
All other visits are booked by prisoner-led application.

Booking line opening times, Monday to Thursday 8am to 4pm, and Friday 8am to 12pm Find out about call charges (https://www.gov.uk/call-charges)

All other visits must be booked by the prisoner, who will need to inform you of the details.

Visiting times:
- Monday, Tuesday Wednesday, 2:15pm to 4pm
- Thursday DDA Visits, 2:15pm to 4pm
- Friday, no visits
- Saturday, 9:30am to 11:45am and 2:15pm to 4pm
- Sunday, 2:15pm to 4pm
- Closed visits now run in tandem with Phone Hub Visits
Please call the booking line for up-to-date information.

All visitors must book in at the visitor’s centre 30 minutes before the visit is due to start.

Any visitor who does not arrive on time may not be allowed entry unless they have contacted POPS in the visitors centre 0161 817 5899 or 0161 817 5630.

How to book official visits

To arrange an official video visit you can call, 0161 8175 898.

Official video visit times (one hour slots):
- Monday to Thursday, 9:15am, 10:30am, 2:15pm, 3:30pm
- Friday, 9am
To arrange an official face to face visit, you can email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

Official face to face visit times:
- Monday to Thursday, 9am to 11am
- Friday, 9am to 10am
- bank holidays, no visits
Important booking information:
- all requests must be submitted from a CJSM or official email account
- for category A prisoners, proof of identification is required at the time of booking
- for all appointments, including category A and other prisoners, ID must be presented at the time of the visit
- to assist with scheduling, please provide three preferred dates and times, listed in order of preference
- all visitors are required to attend the visitors centre at least 20 minutes before the visit start time to be booked in
- If you are running late, you can contact the visits centre on 0161 817 5662
Please note: HMP Manchester is a paperless establishment. You will not be allowed to bring documents into the establishment but you will be provided with an opportunity to print documents within legal visits, if required.

Getting to Manchester Prison

Find Manchester Prison on a map (https://consent.google.com/m?continue=https://xxx@xxx.xx,-2.2461668,15z/data%3D!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x654d6602b260a151!8m2!3d53.4919813!4d-2.2461668?shorturl%3D1&gl=IE&m=0&pc=m&uxe=eomtm&cm=2&hl=en&src=1)

The closest railway station is Manchester Victoria, which is about a 5-minute walk from the prison.

Manchester Piccadilly is 10 minutes from Manchester Victoria by tram or taxi.

Several local buses pass close to the prison.

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 parking at the prison but there are two paid public car parks on Southall Street (https://www.manchester.gov.uk/info/500346/city_centre_parking).

Entering Manchester 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 aged 16 or older must prove their identity before entering the HMP Manchester. 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.

Manchester Prison has a family-friendly dress code which means visitors should dress appropriately. You may be turned away if you are wearing items like low-cut tops, see-through or revealing clothing, or ripped jeans. Additionally, you cannot wear football shirts, uniforms (except school uniforms) or anything with offensive patterns or slogans. Ask in the visitors centre if you have questions about the dress code.

Cash is not permitted inside the prison, but visitors can purchase refreshments inside the visitor centre. You can then collect paid for items inside the visits hall. There is a maximum spend limit of £60.

There are strict controls on what you can take into Manchester 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 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/hmp-manchester/). Family and friends can relax, buy refreshments and get advice and support from the staff. There is a play area for children.

The centre is open: - Monday to Thursday, 8:30am to 5pm - Saturday, 8am to 5pm - Sunday, midday to 5pm

POPS are available Monday to Thursday, 1pm to 5pm.

Centre telephone, 0161 817 5630 Find out about call charges (https://www.gov.uk/call-charges)

Family visits

Manchester provides 24 Parental Contact (PCV) visits a year. These visits are facilitated in a more relaxed and less restrictive manner than general social visits.

Families attending these visits will be able to walk around the visits hall freely, with family supportive activities being provided, such as:
- craft area
- reading area
- board games
- large floor games area
Parental Contact Visits are available to 20 families per session. Prisoners can apply for the visits via application.

Keep in touch with someone at Manchester Prison

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

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 which they can use between 8am and 10pm.

The phones do not accept incoming calls so prisoners 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 Manchester Prison 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 Manchester 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 Manchester 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).

If after 5 working days the prisoner has not received the money you have sent, please use the contact options available on the website. Prison staff cannot assist with external payments.

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 can no longer send gifts or parcels via the visitor’s centre. We can only accept gifts or parcels from family members via the Birthday Parcel process.

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

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).

Life at Manchester Prison

Manchester Prison is committed to providing a safe and educational environment where prisoners convicted of serious offences can make positive use of long sentences.

Security and safeguarding

Every prisoner at Manchester 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).

Arrival and first night

When a prisoner first arrives at Manchester 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.

Induction

Each prisoner who arrives at Manchester Prison gets an induction that lasts about a week. 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, training and independent career advice
- 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 750 prisoners are accommodated at Manchester Prison in a mixture of single and shared cells. They are split across 9 wings in 2 blocks.

There is a sports hall and several gyms offering a range of activities for prisoners of all physical abilities.

Manchester Prison has a diverse, multi-faith chaplaincy team providing support to prisoners.

Education and work

Prisoners have access to education and training provided by Milton Keynes College (https://www.mkcollege.ac.uk/). Classes include:
- Functional skills – maths and English
- English for speakers of other languages (ESOL)
- personal development opportunities
Vocational training courses include industrial cleaning, baking, catering, land-based activities and waste management.

Work is available in the electric repair shop, textiles, printing, and laundry workshops, as well as throughout the prison.

Manchester 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 Manchester

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

Concerns, problems and complaints

In an emergency

Call 01618 175 600 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 contact Manchester Prison (#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 Manchester Prison (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/manchester-prison-action-plan) in response to independent inspections.

Contact Manchester Prison

Governor: Rob Knight

Telephone: 0161 817 5600 Fax: 0161 817 5601 Find out about call charges (https://www.gov.uk/call-charges)

Follow Manchester Prison on Twitter/X (https://twitter.com/HmpManchester)

Address

HMP Manchester1 Southall StreetManchesterM60 9AH

See map (https://consent.google.com/m?continue=https://xxx@xxx.xx,-2.2461668,15z/data%3D!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x654d6602b260a151!8m2!3d53.4919813!4d-2.2461668?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/hmpmanchester/)