GIVING PROPERTY AND MONEY TO A PRISONER AT HMP BELMARSH
Handing in property for the prisoner
Sending property to the prisoner in the post
Sending money
Religious items
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Handing in property for the prisoner
- the only property that can be handed in on a visit is clothing, and only if the prisoner has been in HMP Belmarsh for less than 56 days
- for Category A prisoners, the rule is 56 days after the first visit
- after 56 days inside, a prisoner who needs more clothing must order it through the prison
- the only exception to this is when a prisoner makes an application for court clothing
- no clothing can be handed in unless the person leaving it is visiting that prisoner on that day
- old clothing must be destroyed or posted out (at the prisoner?s expense) before replacement clothing will be accepted
What clothing can I send the prisoner?
Prisoners are allowed the following items:
- two hand towels and one bath towel
- one pair of shower shoes/slippers
- a bathrobe
- one pair of pyjamas
- seven T-shirts or vests
- 14 pairs of pants or boxers
- 14 pairs of socks
- one belt - no studs or large buckles (no bigger than prison officers? buckles)
- two pairs of shorts (sports only)
- three pairs of footwear (shoes, boots, trainers); no metal toe caps or steel sole plates, large buckles, bands, tags or taps
- four pairs of trousers (jeans, tracksuit bottoms, trousers); black trousers are not allowed
- three jumpers, sweatshirts, or cardigans
- three shirts - not white
- three jackets or tracksuit tops
- a coat
Court clothing
Clothes for court appearances are in addition to the clothing allowance above and are not subject to the 56 day rule. Prisoners are allowed:
- five shirts (they can be white, but must not look like prison officers? shirts)
- two pairs of trousers (they can be black)
- two ties
- one pair of shoes
- two suit jackets
What is not allowed
- any hooded clothing
- any clothes resembling a uniform, (e.g. black polo shirts, black three-quarter length jackets) or with a camouflage pattern
- caps, hats, scarves, bandanas or gloves
- clothing with slogans or motifs considered to be racist, insulting or derogatory
- clothing with sports/team logos or national or cities? crests or flags
- clothing with large metal tags
- clothing that is soiled or contaminated, damaged, torn or cut down
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Sending property to the prisoner in the post
The only items that may be posted in (with letters) are photographs. Here are the rules:
- a maximum of 30 photographs can be sent
- they cannot be bigger than 8? x7?
- do not send them in metal, glass or wooden frames
- the photos must not depict anything offensive or pornographic
- they must not be sent in an envelope bigger than A5
You are not allowed to post anything else to the prisoner. Prisoners are able to order items from catalogues within the prison, and they can also order newspapers and magazines.
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Sending money
You cannot hand in cash, postal orders or cheques on a visit; you must send money in the post.
- cash and cheques can be posted in, but it is safer and quicker to send postal orders
- postal orders should be made out to 'HM Prison Service'
- write the prisoner?s name and number on the back, and the sender?s name and address
- there is no limit to the amount of money that can be sent, but there is a limit to the amount a prisoner can spend each week
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Religious items
Prisoners are allowed to have certain religious articles. The prisoner must apply to the Chaplaincy for these items.