At HMP Oakwood prisoners book their own visits through an inhouse system called the N-Force System also known as the Kiosk. Visits can be booked up to a maximum of 28 days in advance, and at least 24 hours in advance. This is a new clever system which reduces the delays in arranging visits. Some visits will last longer than others depending on when you go e.g. the evening visit will only last 1 hr.
Visits are held
- Mon, Tues, Wed & Thus 14:30-16:30 and 18:30-19:30
- Fri: 14:30 – 16:30
- Sat & Sun 9:00- 11:30, 14:30 -16:30
Prisoners are allowed the following number of visits:
- Enhanced prisoners: 4 x 1-2 hour visits
- Standard prisoners: 3 x 1-2 hour visits
- Basic prisoners: 2 x 1 hour visits
HMP Oakwood operates a strict policy on behaviour during visits from both the prisoner and the visitor. The rules are pretty obvious and won’t cause any concern to a sensible visitor (or prisoner) They also have a strict dresscode for visitors, again it is pretty obvious but for the sake of clarity it is:
- Large coats: Cardigans and jumpers are permitted but outer garments may not be worn in the Visits Hall and should be hung up on the hooks provided.
- Hats: May not be worn in the visits hall with the exception of religious head wear. (E.g. Sikh turbans, Jewish yarmulkes, Muslim caps, Muslim women’s headscarves, Rastafarian hats). These will be subject to searching as per HMP Oakwood searching policy.
- Gloves/scarves: May not be worn. These should be left in the lockers provided.
- Hooded tops: May not be worn.
- Skirts: Skirts must be of reasonable length and reach the knee in the standing position.
- Shorts: High cut shorts are not permitted.
- Dresses: Dresses must be of reasonable length and reach the knee in the standing position
- Tops: Must be sufficient to cover both breasts and the midriff area and must not be transparent. Cleavage must be appropriately covered so as not to cause offence. Athletic singlet’s are not permitted.
- Trousers: Torn jeans with holes revealing the buttocks or underwear may not be worn.
- Logos: Clothing with any logos connected to a sporting team may not be worn. This only applies to visitors who are 13 and over. Clothing displaying offensive patterns or logos will not be permitted (such as cannabis leaves, racist logos or offensive language).
- Behaviour: Inappropriate behaviour is defined as any behaviour that may present a risk to the security of the establishment or behaviour that is deemed indecent. All visitors and prisoners need to be aware that inappropriate physical interaction is prohibited and in some cases is a criminal act. Staff have a duty to maintain the need for public decency within the Visits Hall and to ensure that any person is not subjected to any inappropriate of indecent behaviour by any prisoner or visitor. Guidance as to what constitutes indecent behaviour is prolonged intimate kissing, caressing of another person’s torso or lower region or physical exposure by either party of their chests, breasts or genitalia.
All visitors are required to provide Identification to gain entry and only those named on the visit request submitted by the prisoners will be allowed in. Visitors must always bring 2 letters dated with-in 3-6 months with either of the below options e.g. 1 photo ID or 2 other IDs (e.g. gas, water, electric, bill, bank statement or appointments to validate your address) or:
ONE of the following:
- – Passport (including foreign passports and expired, photographs must still look like the visitor)
- – EC Identity Card –
- – Driving Licence (both plastic and paper part) –
- – Employer/Student ID Card (laser print not laminated, must be in date) – Senior Citizens Bus/Rail Card
or TWO of the following:
- – Birth or Marriage Certificate (surname must match)
- – Plastic yearly Bus/Rail Pass (not paper or card)
- – Cheque Book with valid Card (debit/Credit)
- – Proof of age or Citizens Card
- – Rent Book/Card
- – Trade Union or Student Union membership Card
- – Foreign Identity or Resident Card
- – Library Card
- – Paper Driving Licence
Children visitors (under the age of 18) are not allowed to visit unless one of the following applies:
- Child is visiting dad
- Child is visiting with mom or dad
- Child is visiting with a legal guardian (proof from the courts is required)
ID required:
- Under 6 weeks: Red Book or Birth Certificate
- Aged 0 to 9: Birth Certificate
- Aged 10 to 17: Birth Certificate with one of the following:
Passport, Medical Card, Travel Card, or Student ID Card
Transport to the Prison
If you want to plan your journey on public transport visit the the traveline web site (click here). It is an excellent way to plan your visits.
The nearest rail station is Wolverhampton. A bus service runs between Wolverhampton and Cannock (70)