General Details,
|
Inspections |
| Regimes | Visits and getting there |
| Local News | |
Key Contact Details
| Name of Prison | HMP Erlestoke |
| Address: | Erlestoke Devizes Wiltshire SN10 5TU |
| Main switchboard: | 01380 814250 |
| At Risk hotline: | n/a |
| Fax: | 01380 814273 |
| Visits booking number: | 01380 814264, |
| Visits booking email: | eecmbookavisit@hmps.gsi.gov.uk |
| Visits booking web site: | www.gov.uk/prison-visits |
| Visits centre web site: | n/a |
| Visits centre number: | 01380 814 270 |
| Type of Prison: | Male Cat C |
Erlestoke, near Devizes, is the only prison in Wiltshire and a Category C training prison with capacity for around 500 adult men, some serving life sentences. It occupies the grounds of a former manor house and has operated in various forms since 1960, becoming an adult training prison in 1988.
Following a full inspection in June 2024, a follow-up review in May 2025 found solid progress on most of the concerns raised. Use of force, batons and PAVA spray had all reduced, with every incident now formally reviewed; purposeful activity had increased significantly following a review of how prisoners were allocated to work and education, supported by new dedicated activities staff; and work was underway on ethnic minority prisoners’ experiences, including cultural awareness sessions and prisoner forums. Areas still needing attention included the quality of self-harm care-planning documents, a prison-wide reading strategy still in development, the regime on the induction unit, and ongoing delays with prisoners’ canteen (shop) orders.
This is a reasonably encouraging picture of steady improvement; families may still want to ask about a prisoner’s early induction experience, alongside using the practical visiting and contact details above.