Visits are held at the following times:
- Mon: 09:15 – 11:15 & 14:00 – 16:00
- Tues: 14:00 – 16:00
- Wed: 09:15 – 11:15 & 14:00 – 16:00
- Thurs: 09:15 – 11:15 & 14:00 – 16:00
- Friday: 14:00 – 16:00
- Sat: 09:15 – 11:15 & 14:00 – 16:00
- Sun: 14:00 – 16:00
You can book visits in 4 ways, by phone, by e-mail, on the web site or in person at the visitors centre. All visits must be booked at least 48 hours and no more than 2 weeks in advance
Call 020 7023 7251 or email [email protected].. The visits phone booking line is open Monday to Friday between 08:30 – 16:45. When booking a visit you will need to know the full name (!) and prison number of the prisoner you wish to visit, the name, address and date of birth of each visitor, the relationship of each visitor to the prisoner (wife, son etc) and the proposed visting dates. It will help if you give the prison some alternative dates if your first choice is unavailable
To book online, click here You will need the name and date of birth of the person you are visiting, their prisoner number and the dates of birth of the visitors. You can choose up to 3 possible dates and times. Prison booking staff will check what’s available and confirm your visit by email. If you’ve made an online visit booking request and haven’t received a confirmation email within 1-3 working days, email [email protected].
There is a Visitor’s Centre run by Spurgeons, a national charity. For more information click here or call 020 7609 3860. The centre half way along the front of the prison and is open Monday to Saturday from 08:30 – 16:30 (waiting area facility only between 12:00 and 13:00, reception closed), Sundays 12:30 – 16:30, (waiting area facility only before 13:00, reception closed). There are lockers provided to store all unauthorised or personal belongings in the centre which take a £1 refundable coin.
The visits hall has a tea / coffee where a range of refreshments are available. The prison will not allow more than £20 ( all in change) to be taken into the hall. Like at all prisons, visitors will be required to have photo ID and proof of address, and will not be allowed to take certain items into the prison When on a visit a simple guide is that no food, no drink, and no drugs or mobile phones are to be brought into the prison. All visitors will be searched and passive drug detection dogs may be used. All visitors will be monitored via CCTV for the duration of their visit. All visitors will be required to wear a wrist band for further identification. These must only be removed by staff. HMP Pentonville currently uses a biometric identification system.
Your identity will be checked and then enrolled onto the biometric system which involves taking a photo and a scan of your index fingers. If you don’t comply with the prison’s requirements you will be denied your visit.
Family Days: Family days are held approximately 6 times per year. Other events aimed at providing positive interaction between families are run in conjunction with partner organisations. Details are published both on the wings and in the Visiting Centre.
Getting there
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HMP Pentonville is situated in North London and is well served by public transport. Click here for timetables There are bus stops on both sides of the road outside Pentonville. Routes 17, 19, 259 and 274 all stop. If you are coming to London by train, Kings Cross is the nearest main line station. You can then catch the northbound tube on the Piccadilly line to Caledonian Road. Caledonian and Barnsbury Overground Station is on the Richmond and Stratford line. When you leave the station, turn right and Pentonville is about 5 minutes walk on the same side of the road.
If you are visiting by car, parking around the prison is restricted and difficult. There isn’t a visitors car park and you are not allowed to park on prison property.