HMP Belmarsh

Switchboard: 020 8331 4400

Safer Custody Helpline

If you have concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a prisoner in Belmarsh, call the safer custody hotline and leave a message. Someone will call you back within 24 hours.

Telephone: 0208 331 4890
Monday to Friday, 8am-4pm, weekends from 8am-12noon.

In an emergency, call 0208 331 4781 or 0208 331 4866.

Email

safercustody-belmarsh@justice.gov.uk

Visiting the prison

All visitors, aged 16 or older must prove their identity before entering the prison. All visitors will need to be given a pat-down search, including children. On your first visit, you will have your photo taken. You may have your fingerprints taken and an eye scan. You may also be sniffed by security dogs.

Belmarsh has a strict dress code policy, which means visitors should wear smart, family-friendly clothes (no ripped clothing, no vests, no low-cut tops, no shorts, no short dresses, no sports team clothing, no watches, only minimal jewellery, no offensive slogans and no headwear, other than that worn for religious reasons).

Refreshments are available during your visit.

There are strict controls on what you can take into Belmarsh. 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 family-friendly visitors centre run by the Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT).

Visitors should arrive to the visitors centre to book in for a visit. There is a tea bar in the visitor’s centre outside the prison and a full tea bar inside the main visits hall.

There is also a small play area in the visits centre and a larger staffed creche area in side the main visits hall.

Prisoners’ property can be handed in on a visit by application.

PACT Telephone: 0208 317 3888
Email: belmarsh@prisonadvice.org.uk

Family days

Belmarsh is running one family day session per month.

More Information

You can book your visit online, by email to Belmarsh.visits@justice.gov.uk or by telephone

You can also register to use the secure video calls service.

Telephone booking line: 0208 331 4760 or 020 8331 4750
The booking line is open Monday to Friday, 9:30am-3pm
Find out about call charges

You can arrive up to one hour before the time of your visit to go through security and check in.

Parking is limited so please arrive with plenty of time to park or use local transport.

All visits must be booked in advance. Only those visitors whose details have been listed on the Prisoner’s Authorisation Contact List (as provided by the prisoner) and those who are named on the booking will be allowed entry into the prison.

Prison staff cannot add visitor(s) to a Prisoner’s Authorisation Contact List without the consent/authorisation of a Prisoner.

Visiting times: