| General Details | Inspections |
| Regimes | Visits and getting there |
| Work and Education | Local News |
Key Contact Details
| Name of Prison | HMP Wandsworth |
| Address: | Heathfield Road Wandsworth London SW18 3HS |
| Other contact details: | |
| Web Site: | |
| Email: | |
| Main switchboard: | 020 8588 4000 |
| At Risk hotline: | |
| Fax: | 020 8588 4001 |
| Visits booking number: | 020 8588 4002 |
| Visits booking email: | socialvisits.wandsworth@hmps.gsi.gov.uk |
| Visits centre web site: | www.spurgeons.org/hmp-wandsworth, |
| Visits centre number: | 020 8874 4377 |
| Type of Prison: | Cat B/C Male local prison |
The prison, which is one of the largest in Europe, is run by HMPS as part of the London Region. It has a capacity of 1428 and the #1 governor is Andy Davy, who has been in charge since October 2019
HMP Wandsworth opened in 1851 as the Surrey House of Correction, designed on the Victorian “separate system” principle with wings radiating from a central point. It is now one of the largest local prisons in Europe, holding remand and newly sentenced men from London’s courts, with a capacity of around 1,428 — well beyond the fewer than 1,000 places it was originally built for, and among the most overcrowded prisons in the country.
An independent review of progress in early 2025 found some genuine improvement following a difficult period: violence had fallen to around half of the level recorded at the previous full inspection, self-harm incidents were down 28%, and a new governor had brought stronger, more energetic leadership. However, inspectors found insufficient progress on five of ten priority concerns, including persistent drug use, incomplete cell refurbishments leaving living conditions inadequate, and limited time out of cell for most prisoners. Staff-prisoner relationships were described as still distant and largely ineffective outside of one specialist unit, and over half the population lacked access to enough purposeful activity.
For families staying in touch with someone at Wandsworth, the contact details above remain the best way to arrange a visit and check on their wellbeing.