HMP BRIXTON VISITORS' CENTRE
About the Visitors' Centre
Contact details
How to get there
Visitors' Centre opening hours
Facilities on offer at the Visitors' Centre
Disabled access?
Information for visitors to HMP Brixton
Prison visiting times
How to book a visit
Before you visit
What to bring as ID
Bringing the children?
Booking in for a visit
What can I take in to the visits hall?
What happens on a visit?
Help with travel costs
Support from other organisations
Giving the prisoner property
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Laura BeardContact details
Brixton Visitors' Centre
HMP Brixton
Jebb Avenue
London
SW2 5XF
020 85886406
The Visitors' Centre manager is Laura Beard.
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How to get there
HMP Brixton is in South London. The nearest tube station is Brixton; from there, take a bus service to the prison such as the 45, 109, 133 or 250. For more information about getting to Brixton Prison, visit the Prison Service website. To find the Visitors' Centre, walk down the long path towards the prison. The Visitors' Centre is a small portakabin just to the right of the main gate.
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Visitors' Centre opening hours
Monday - Saturday: 8.30am - 4.30pm
Sunday: 1.30pm - 4.30pm
Please note that the prison visiting times are slightly different to the Visitors' Centre opening hours. If you need to find out the visiting times, see below.
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Facilities on offer at the Visitors' Centre
- Information and advice about prison routines, visiting procedure, the Prison Assisted Visits Scheme, and other organisations that offer help
- Crayons and colouring-in books for children
- toilets and baby changing facilities
- books and magazines
- pact staff and volunteers are always on hand to offer support and a listening ear
- an Adfam worker is on hand to offer advice and support to relatives of drug and alcohol users
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Disabled access?
Yes - there is a disabled ramp enabling access to the visitors' centre.
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Monday - Saturday: 8.45am - 9.45am, 10am - 11am, 2pm - 3pm, 3.15pm - 4.15pm
Sunday: 2pm - 4.15pm
Please note that all visits must be booked at least 24 hours in advance.
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- all visits must be booked at least 24 hours in advance
- up to three adults and up to three children can visit a prisoner at any one time
- to book a visit, call the prison's Booking Line on 020 8678 1433
- visitors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult
- no visits can be made on the day a prisoner attends court
How many visits is the prisoner allowed?
It depends whether the prisoner is convicted or on remand.
- remand prisoners can have up to three visits a week. The names and addresses of those visiting must be supplied at the time of booking. You do not need a Visiting Order
- convicted prisoners are allowed three visits per month. You must wait until you have received a Visiting Order in the post before you can book a visit
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Before you visit
Give yourself plenty of time to get to HMP Brixton. Please arrive at least 30 minutes before the visit is due to begin. You must book in no more than 20 minutes after the start of the visits session, or you will not be allowed entry to the prison.
You will need to bring identification with you - please see the list of appropriate ID below. You will also need to bring a pound coin to use in the locker where your belongings will be kept while you are on the visit. (This pound coin is refundable.)
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What to bring as ID
Visitors over 16 must provide photo ID plus a piece of ID with their address on it. Choose forms of ID from the following list:
- passport
- EC identity card
- driving licence (photo card)
- senior citizen's public transport pass
- employer's or student's ID card
- rail or bus pass with photo
- young person's proof of age card
- National Students' Union card
- utility bill
- medical card
- phone bill
- rent card (that has the address printed on it)
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Bringing the children?
Inside the visits hall is a children's play area, run by pact, which provides toys, games and playworkers for the children. Find out more about the HMP Brixton play service
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Booking in for a visit
You must start your visit by booking in at the visitors' centre. This is where the pre-visit checks are carried out, ensuring that visitors have all of the relevant paperwork. The centre staff will explain the visiting procedures and give you any other help you may need.
Every visitor 18 years old and above and every visitor of the appearance of being over 18 years old must have their photograph and fingerprints taken before entering the prison.
These details are held only within Brixton Prison and will be kept for a maximum of 6 years after you stop visiting the prison (unless you request otherwise). Without providing these details you will not be allowed into the prison.
You MUST still bring your ID with you every time you visit!
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What can I take in to the visits hall?
When you go into the prison for your visit, you must leave almost all your possessions behind in a locker in the Visitors' Centre. You will need a one pound coin for the locker, which is refundable.
The only items you can take into the prison are:
- your Visiting Order
- up to £5 in change, to buy refreshments
- a clear baby's bottle
- your locker key
- any prescribed medication (this must be handed in to the senior officer in charge of visits)
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What happens on a visit?
All visitors (including children) will be searched. This will include a rub down search and metal detection search. You may be asked to remove your shoes.
Smoking is not allowed in the visits hall.
Once you enter the visits hall you will be allocated a table where you will have your visit.
The prisoner will be produced at the visit starting time, even if you are late. He will leave when the session ends.
You are allowed to purchase refreshments from the machines provided, but please remember that the prisoner can take nothing from the visits hall.
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Help with travel costs
If you are on a low income or you receive benefits, you might be entitled to get help from the government with the cost of visiting your relative in prison. Help is provided by the Assisted Prison Visits Unit (APVU). You can claim for two visits a month.
For more information about the APVU:
- ask at the Visitors' Centre
- call the APVU on 0845 300 1423
- or visit the Prison Service website
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Support from other organisations
At HMP Brixton, there is an Adfam worker who is available to talk to and support families affected by drugs or alcohol. You can ask at the Visitors' Centre or call 020 8678 5284.
There are a number of other organisations that offer advice and support to prisoners and their families. To find out more, visit our links page or ask at the Visitors' Centre.
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Giving the prisoner property
The only property that can be handed in on a visit is clothing.
- clothing can only be handed in if the prisoner has been in custody for less than 28 days
- after this time a prisoner needing more clothing must order it through the prison
- clothing cannot be handed in unless the person leaving it is visiting that prisoner on that day
- property can be handed in Monday - Friday, 8.45am - 9.45am and 10am - 11am
- for a list of what clothing is permitted, please ask at the Visitors' Centre
