WHAT HAPPENS ON A VISIT TO HMP BRISTOL
Will I be searched?
What can I take in with me?
Where do I meet the person I am visiting?
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Will I be searched?
Yes, all visitors pass through the sort of detector you see in airports. All visitors are also given a rub down search. Males of 15 and over will be searched by male staff.
Sometimes dogs are used to detect the presence of drugs. If the dog does detect the presence of drugs, it is trained to sit down beside the person, not to bark at them.
You will also be asked to sign a declaration that:
- you will not help anyone escape
you will not attempt to bring in alcohol or tobacco - that you are aware that it is an offence to be in possession of illegal drugs and that you do not have any
It may be helpful to explain all this to your children before you arrive.
Please note that the police will be called and you will be prosecuted if any illegal drugs are found on you. Any attempt to use children to carry in illegal drugs will also result in child protection proceedings.
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What can I take in with me?
You must leave almost all your possessions behind in a locker , including mobile phones, your ID, and so on. The only items you can take in with you are:
- your locker key
- some loose change (up to ?20 but no ?20 notes)
- milk for your baby
You are not allowed to take in nappies, so we suggest that you change the baby before going up to the visits hall.
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Where do I meet the person I am visiting?
You go upstairs in the prison building to the visits hall. There is a stair lift for those who are disabled.
The visits hall is big and can be quite noisy. Prisoners must sit on the designated chairs and are not allowed to get up or move around. Children can sit on their laps.
There is a play area for children which is sometimes supervised by volunteers. But the behaviour of your children is always your responsibility.
Visitors are allowed to move around and sometimes there is a tea bar where you can buy tea, coffee and sweets.