Family & Keeping in Touch

    First Prison Visit: What to Wear, ID and What Not to Bring

    Your first time walking into a UK prison to visit a loved one is intimidating. The car park is unfamiliar. The signage is sparse. The staff are polite but procedural. And the rules — particularly on what to wear and what to bring — trip up nearly every first-time visitor.

    This guide covers every step from leaving home to walking back out, including the dress code, the accepted ID, the search, the locker rules, the visits hall etiquette, and how to make the most of the 60–120 minutes you get with your loved one.

    Before You Travel — Booking

    You cannot just turn up. Every visit must be booked in advance:

  1. **Online:** Book via the official **gov.uk Visit Someone in Prison** service (search "book a prison visit").
  2. **By phone:** Some prisons accept telephone bookings via the visits team.
  3. **By post:** A handful of older establishments still accept written booking requests.

    4. You will need:

  4. The prisoner's full name and number.
  5. Your full name, date of birth and address.
  6. Names, dates of birth and addresses of every other adult or child joining the visit.

    7. Bookings open 7–14 days ahead and the popular weekend slots vanish within hours. Set a reminder for the day slots release.

    What ID You Need

    Every adult visitor must show one of the following on the day:

  7. UK or EU passport.
  8. UK photocard driving licence (full or provisional).
  9. National identity card from an EU country.
  10. Biometric residence permit (BRP).
  11. Armed forces or police warrant card.

    12. Children under 18 do not need photo ID but must be on the booking and accompanied by an adult on the prisoner's approved list.

    If your name has changed, bring proof — marriage certificate or deed poll. Without matching ID and booking, you will be turned away at the gate.

    Dress Code

    Every prison enforces dress rules. They vary slightly but the universal bans are:

  12. No clothing showing midriffs or cleavage.
  13. No shorts or skirts above the knee.
  14. No vest tops or strappy sleeves on adults.
  15. No hoodies worn up, hats, caps or sunglasses inside the visits hall.
  16. No clothing with offensive language, slogans or images.
  17. No prison-style uniform colours — at some prisons, all-grey or all-blue tracksuits are refused.
  18. No ripped jeans showing significant skin.
  19. No transparent or see-through fabrics.

    20. Footwear: closed-toe shoes are safest. Trainers fine. Heels acceptable but trip you up at the body scanner.

    Children: standard children's clothing is fine. Avoid gang-affiliated colours or sportswear with offensive logos.

    > **Insider tip:** When in doubt, dress as if going to a parents' evening. Smart-casual passes every prison dress code in the country.

    What You Can Bring Inside

    The visits hall is essentially a controlled bubble. You can bring:

  20. Cash for the visits canteen — usually £20 maximum, in coins or small notes. The canteen sells tea, coffee, snacks, sandwiches.
  21. A baby bottle, formula and one nappy if visiting with a baby. Larger nappy bags must go in the locker.
  22. Prescription medication that you need during the visit, declared to staff on arrival.

    23. That is it. Everything else — phones, keys, wallets, watches, jewellery, food, drink, books, gifts — goes in a locker in the visitor centre.

    What You Cannot Bring

  23. Mobile phones (anywhere on the prison estate, including the car park in some cases).
  24. Cameras or recording devices of any kind.
  25. Cigarettes, vapes, lighters or matches.
  26. Drugs of any sort, including legal cannabis derivatives.
  27. Knives, scissors or sharp objects.
  28. Gifts or cards for the prisoner — these must be sent by post, not handed over.
  29. Food or drink for the prisoner.
  30. Large bags or rucksacks.

    31. Bringing prohibited items into a prison can be a criminal offence even if accidental. Empty your pockets thoroughly before walking up to the gate.

    Arriving at the Prison

  31. Arrive at least **30 minutes before** the visit start time.
  32. Park where the signs direct. Many prisons have visitor car parks separate from staff parking.
  33. Walk to the **visitor centre** — usually a separate building outside the main gate, sometimes run by a charity like Prisoners' Families Helpline.
  34. Check in at the desk. Show ID. Confirm the booking.
  35. Lock up phones and bags in the lockers provided. Bring the locker key inside.

    36. The Search

    Every visitor is searched before entering the visits hall. The standard process:

  36. Walk through a metal detector.
  37. Hand search of pockets and outerwear.
  38. Sniff search by a passive drugs dog (a Labrador or Spaniel that walks past visitors lined up against a wall).
  39. Sometimes a "pat down" search by an officer of the same sex.
  40. Children are not searched but their clothing may be checked.

    41. If a drugs dog indicates on you, you may be:

  41. Asked to attend a closed visit (behind glass) instead.
  42. Asked further questions.
  43. Refused entry that day.

    44. Indications happen sometimes for innocent reasons — recent contact with someone who uses, certain medications, perfume. Stay calm. Cooperate.

    Inside the Visits Hall

  44. You sit at a numbered table. The prisoner is brought through and sits opposite.
  45. Brief contact is allowed at the start and end — usually a hug and a kiss.
  46. Children may sit on the prisoner's lap during the visit.
  47. Visits last 60 minutes (Cat A and B) to 2 hours (Cat C and D), occasionally longer for "family days."
  48. An officer or two patrols the hall throughout. Behaviour is monitored.

    49. Things that will end your visit early:

  49. Standing up and walking around.
  50. Passing anything — a note, a photo, food — across the table.
  51. Inappropriate physical contact.
  52. Aggressive language or argument.
  53. Children leaving the table without an adult.

    54. Making the Time Count

    Two hours sounds like a long time until you sit down and the prisoner asks "how is everyone?" Have three or four practical things to talk about prepared:

  54. Family news (births, jobs, school).
  55. Updates on legal matters or upcoming court dates.
  56. Money sent or being sent.
  57. Photos you have already posted in.
  58. Plans for the next visit.

    59. Avoid difficult news in the first 10 minutes. The prisoner needs to settle.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I take my phone into the prison?

    No. Mobile phones must be left in the visitor centre lockers or in your car. Bringing one inside is a criminal offence.

    What ID is accepted for a prison visit?

    UK or EU passport, UK photocard driving licence, national ID card, biometric residence permit, or armed forces ID. Bring proof of any name change.

    Can I bring food for the prisoner?

    No. Food and drink for the prisoner is bought from the visits canteen during the visit and consumed at the table. You cannot pass food across.

    How long does a prison visit last?

    Typically 60 minutes at high-security prisons, up to 2 hours at Cat C and D establishments. Family and play days can run longer.

    Can children visit?

    Yes. Children of any age can visit if they are on the prisoner's approved list. They must be accompanied by an approved adult.

    Can I take photos in the visits hall?

    No. Photography is forbidden anywhere in a prison. Some establishments offer official "family photos" at organised family days for a small fee.

    What if I have a tattoo of a prison gang symbol?

    Cover it with clothing. Visible gang tattoos can result in a closed visit being imposed.

    *Last updated: April 2026.*

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