SOCIAL VISITS
On arrival to HMP Altcourse visitors are made aware of the facilities
available in the Visitors' Centre for refreshment, depositing hand
baggage, baby changing, and handing in money or property for prisoners.
They will also be informed of the maximum amount of money that they
may take into the prison for the purpose of purchasing light refreshments
during the visit. |
Social visitors are not permitted to take hand baggage beyond the
Visitors' Centre, locker facilities are available for safe storage
of such items.
Searching visitors
Searching will accord in every respect with the requirements set out
in the Searching Strategy policy. Same sex searching will ensure that
decency is observed. Children under ten years of age will always be
searched by female members of staff. Arrangements for the searching
of infants will specifically require the parent or carer to observe
the process.
If the visitor's babies / children require a pram /stroller the prison
will supply them and all visitors will use these.
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The visitor's pram/stroller will be placed into the storage area until
after the visit. Once searching has been completed, adult visitors
will be UV hand stamped, and all visitors will then move to the Visits
Hall. The Visitors Order (VO) will be handed to the Visits Supervisor,
and the visitors will be directed to a pre-selected and numbered table.
The visit will take place under general CCTV surveillance.
Property and money
Items permitted to be handed in for prisoners must be left in the
Visitors' Centre, and a receipt given. Items permitted to be handed
out by prisoners will be made available to visitors at the conclusion
of the visit in the Visitors' Centre. Visitors will sign to acknowledge
receipt of such items, which will otherwise be withheld and returned
to the prisoner. All items handed in or out will be x-ray searched
in addition to manual searching.
Booking visits
Bookings will be taken on the direct telephone booking line +44 (0)151
522 2196, which is staffed Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays)
between the hours of 09:00-17:00 and Tuesdays to Fridays between the
hours of 18:00-20:00.
Visiting places will be allocated on a 'first come, first served'
basis, and that, other than in an emergency, social visits must be
booked at least 48 hours in advance.
When booking, intending visitors will be required to provide the names
of the person(s) visiting, and confirm that these are the names on
the VO sent out by the prisoner. A limit of three adults (with accompanying
children) will normally apply.
Visitors will be made aware of the facilities available in the Visitors'
Centre for refreshment, depositing hand baggage, baby changing, and
handing in moneys or property for prisoners. They will also be informed
of the maximum amount of money that they may take into the prison
for the purpose of purchasing light refreshments during the visit.
Prisoners will be advised to ask their visitors to inform them of
the day and time of the booked visit. This allows prisoners to prepare
for the visit, and attend the Visits Hall at the correct time. Prisoners
will normally be expected to go to their place of work or activity
until their visitors arrive: they will not normally be allowed to
wait in the Unit. The Visits IT system will link bookings to table
planning programmes in time sequence.
Assisted prison visits scheme
If you have a husband, father, brother, or a partner of the same sex
who lives with you when they are not in prison, you may qualify for
support. If you are on income support or family credit this will demonstrate
you have a low income. Alternatively, you may be able to get certificates
from the Health Benefits Unit.
If you qualify for assistance, you will get help with travelling expenses
for two visits every four weeks. You may also get help with meals
and other expenses. You can obtain the claim form F2022 from visits
staff who will be happy to give information and guidance. The expenses
must be paid first, and then claimed back from the Assisted Prison
Visits Unit.
The form tells you more about the rules of the scheme. Completed forms
should then be sent to the address shown on the form.
Smoking
The Visits Hall is designated a non-smoking area in the interests
of public health. Signs to this effect will be prominently displayed.
No tobacco products will be carried into visits by prisoners or visitors. |
