Giving property or money to a prisoner

Clothes

Clothing parcels may be left at Visits Reception when you are attending a visit. All clothing must be machine washable.

You will need to check with the prison concerned about the current list of accepted items.

You must produce photo identification when leaving or collecting parcels. You can only leave a parcel for the prisoner you are visiting.

Posting items to a prisoner

There is no restriction on the number of letters that can be sent in each week to prisons.

Your letter should be addressed using:

• Prisoner’s name and number
• Residential location (if known)
• Prison address

Some items are not allowed to be posted to a prisoner. These include:

• padded/musical/very large cards/3D type cards with raised areas
• laminated items
• food
• CDs or DVDs
• clothing
• money/cheques/postal orders or money orders

Giving prisoners money

Money for prisoners and young offenders can only be lodged into their Inmate Personal Cash (IPC) by:

•  using the online payment service
• contacting the payments line and depositing funds over the telephone. You will need a UK issued debit card . (Credit Cards are not accepted)
• in-person at Visits Reception when visiting an inmate on the same day 

Only nominated visitors can make a payment into a prisoner's IPC. You must be 18 years of age and over to be a nominee.

All payments into a prisoner's IPC will require the visitor ID issued to you by the prison and the prisoners ID number.

Prisoners can receive a maximum of £150 per week through single or multiple payments during that week. However they can only receive one telephone payment per week.  The £500 maximum level of the account cannot be exceeded.

Staff in Visits Reception can check the balance of all accounts, however this information will not be given out to a visitor.