HM Prison Service - Locate a Prison

Booking information: Bookings can be made by direct line telephone on 0121 345 2710, available Mon - Fri between 09:00 - 12:00 & 13:15 - 17:00. Alternatively, email hmpbirminghambookedvisits@hmps.gsi.gov.uk.

Additional information: The Visitors Centre is situated on the opposite side of the road to the prison about 200 yards from the main prison gate.

The prison requires at least 24hrs notice of each appointment. Before you book a visit by e-mail, phone or in person at the Visitors Centre, you need to be aware of the prisoners visits pin code which will be given to you by the prisoner.

Bookings can be made up to 28 days in advance. Visitors can pre-book visits appointments at the visitors centre. If any visitor, or the prisoner that the visitor is visiting, need to use a wheelchair whilst on a visit, visits booking staff must be made aware at the time of booking a visit. Failure to do so may result in your visit being cancelled.

All visitors need to book in on the day of the visit at the Visitors Centre at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the visit. If you are late for your visit, it may be cancelled.

Minors under 18 years of age are not allowed to visit unless one of the following applies:

The minor is a child of the prisoner
The minor is a brother or sister of the prisoner and is accompanied by their parent or legal guardian
The minor is a child of one of the visitors (accompanying visitor must be over 18 years of age)

In all cases of minors visiting a prisoner at HMP Birmingham, a full birth certificate is required as one part of personal identification.

Visitors must quote the reference number, given at the time of booking, when cancelling or altering appointments already booked.

An advice and information service is available. Any queries you may have concerning the prisoner or prison regime can be dealt with, before or after your visit, at the Visitors Centre by trained HALOW staff.

Before Entering

The only items visitors will be allowed to take with them to the prison on a visit are loose change to use in the drinks machine, a locker key (if a locker has been used), a house key, a car key and visitors identification.

Lockers are available at the Visitors Centre should you wish to use them. The prison takes no responsibility for the contents of the lockers. The prison does not insist that you use a locker before you enter the prison, only that you do not take unauthorised items into the prison. A £1.00 coin deposit is required for the use of a locker.

You will be required to use a locker in the prison in the Visitors waiting area. This is so that your personal ID and jackets/coats can be safely stored while your visit takes place. A £1.00 coin is required for its use.

Identification

All visitors are required to have their photograph taken for video imaging purposes. Any visitor(s) refusing to be photographed will be refused entry to the prison. Identification for all visitors is required including children. All visitors must show some form of identification. One of the following forms of identify is acceptable, along with 2 utility bills (eg, gas bill, electricity bill, phone bill or Visa/loans/bank statement):

Passport – including foreign and time expired passports where the photograph is still recognizable.
Photo bearing driving license
Senior citizen Public Transport Pass
Annual Public Transport Season ticket with photo card
Employers ID card with photograph
Benefits book
Prison pass

Or two of the following forms of ID along with 2 utility bills. (eg, gas bill, electricity bill, phone bill or Visa/loans/bank statement):

Marriage or Birth Certificate
Rail or bus pass with photograph
Cheque book and debit/credit card – (counts as one, do not accept as two forms of ID)
Employers card or ID without photograph
Young persons ‘Proof of Age' card
Trade Union or National Student Union Membership card
Rent book
Medical card

Personal identification for minors must include a full birth certificate naming either the prisoner or one of the visitors as parent (or a sworn affidavit to prove that the adult accompanying the child on the visit is the legal guardian). One of the above will count as one of the three forms of ID required. Please note that anyone found attempting to enter this establishment with false identification will be reported to the police.

Assisted Visits

You may be entitled to help with your travel expenses. Please visit the Assisted Prison Visits Scheme page for more information.

Official visits

Mon-Fri: 08:15 - 09:15, 09:15 - 10:00, 10:00 - 10:45, 10:45 - 11:30, 13:30 - 14:15, 14:15 - 15:00 & 15:00 - 15:45.

Booking information: Bookings can be made through the booking line, 0121 345 2565 available from 09:00 - 12:00 & 13:30 – 16:30. Alternatively, email hmpbirminghamlegalvisits@hmps.gsi.gov.uk.

Additional information: Additional time can be booked on request. Official identification will be required. Special requests in must be received in writing to bring in tape recorders, lap-top computers, cameras, etc. 48-hours notice of any cancellation would be appreciated. Letter of authority required for all Police visits.

How to get there:

Train: Take a train to New Street Station NOT Birmingham International. The prison is approximately 5 miles from Birmingham New Street Train Station. From there the journey can be completed either by taxi or by bus.
Bus: Bus number 101 to Lodge Road from the City Centre.
Car: From the north and north west: M6 to Junction 8. Leave and join the M5 southbound. Leave M5 at Junction 1. Turn left onto the A41 towards Birmingham. At the fifth set of road traffic lights turn right onto the A4040 (Boulton Road). The prison is approximately one mile away on the left-hand side of the road.
From the north east: To the A38 and continue down the ‘Aston Expressway' – A38 (M). Turn off second left, up the slip road to Dartmouth Circus (a large roundabout). Turn right taking the third exit (signposted A41 West Bromwich). Continue through 2 sets of road traffic lights along New John Street West. At the roundabout take the third exit down to Hockley Circus. At the flyover turn right onto the A41 towards West Bromwich. Continue through several sets of traffic lights and turn left onto the A4040 (Boulton Road). The prison is approximately one mile away on the left-hand side of the road.
From the south east: M6 to Junction 8. Onto M6 southbound to Junction 1. Turn left onto the A41 towards Birmingham. At the fifth set of road traffic lights turn right onto the A4040 (Boulton Road). The prison is approximately one mile away on the left-hand side of the road.
From the south west: M5 to Junction 1. Turn right onto the A41 towards Birmingham. At the fifth set of road traffic lights turn right onto the A4040 (Boulton Road). The prison is approximately one mile away on the left-hand side of the road.
There is a visitors' car park with provision for disabled drivers.

Visiting Information