| General Details | Inspections |
| Regimes | Visits and getting there |
| Work and Education | |
Key data and contact numbers
| Name of Prison: | HMP Leicester | |
| Address: | 116, Welford Road, Leicester, LE2 7AJ |
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Not available | |
| Web site: | not available | |
| not available | ||
| Main switchboard: | 01162 283 000 | |
| Prisoner welfare concerns: | 01162 283 129 | |
| Fax: | 01162 283 001 | |
| Visits Booking number: | 01162 283 128 | |
| Visits booking email: | leicester@hmps.gsi.gov.uk | |
| Visits booking web site: | www.gov.uk/prison-visits | |
| Type of Prison | Local Male Cat B | |
| Main courts served; | Leicester Crown Court |
HMP Leicester is one of the oldest working prisons in England, opened in 1828 in a distinctive castle-style building designed by the county surveyor, and its red-brick perimeter walls and gatehouse are Grade II listed. It is a Category B local prison serving Leicester Crown Court, holding both remand and newly sentenced adult men, almost all on a single wing, with a capacity of around 348 — considerably more than the roughly 200 it was originally designed to hold.
HM Inspectorate of Prisons visited in August 2025 and published its findings that November. Safety was downgraded to “not sufficiently good” and purposeful activity fell to “poor”, while respect and preparation for release both held at “reasonably good”. Inspectors found violence levels were the highest among comparable reception prisons, drug testing showed an excessively high positive rate, and use of force by staff significantly exceeded similar establishments; daily regimes were also inconsistent, leaving prisoners frustrated. On a more positive note, inspectors highlighted good access to social visits and a well-used, recently refurbished gym, and HM Prison and Probation Service has since published an action plan responding to the concerns raised.
Given the age of the building and the pressures identified above, families visiting Leicester may find it useful to confirm current visiting arrangements in advance using the details set out above.