Who can I speak to at the Prison when I have a query?
When phoning the main prison number - 01481 222025 you will be given 5 options to choose from, as follows:
- 1. Admin - to speak to the main Prison Admin Office.
- 2. Accounts - to speak to the Procurement Officer regarding invoice payments, ROTL wages and Prisoner BACS payments.
- 3. Healthcare - to speak to the Healthcare Manager or Nurses about any medical-related queries.
- 4. Offender Management Unit - to be added to a prisoner's Pin Phone, information on family/children's visits, new reception queries.
- 5. Catering - to speak to the Catering Officers about deliveries, invoices or payments
Contact us
- Call us: 01481 222025
- Email us: Prison.gov@gov.gg
- Write to us: Guernsey Prison, Les Nicolles, Baubigny Road, St Sampson's, Channel Islands, GY2 4YF
Guernsey Prison is committed to the health and welfare of all prisoners and staff. All areas within the Prison building are smoke free.
Early Days in Custody
What happens when a prisoner arrives into custody
- All new prisoners will arrive at the reception area. An induction will take place to go through Prison procedures. This includes, how to book visits, how to use the in-cell terminal, food requirmets etc. The prisoner will then be seen by a Prison Healthcare nurse where they will discuss any medical needs. A member of the Offender Management Unit will also meet to discuss any concerns/issues on the outside i.e. rent, pets, family being informed etc. Finally, the Senior Officer on shift will then see the prisoner to ascertain the required location.
Arriving with no money or clothes
- All new prisoners are issued a box containing prison issue clothing, bedding etc. We can also supply underwear/socks and footwear if needed. Please refer to the facilities list attached.
Contacting Home
How to book a visit
- Prisoners must apply for visits with friends and family by completing a Visitors Application Form three working days before the visit takes place. You will require the persons full name, address and telephone number - applications without these details cannot be processed.
- Once this has been submitted, the Offender Management Unit will complete the relevant checks and will process the request. The prisoner will receive a stamped slip confirming the visit.
Tip: Gather all the required information from friends and family prior to custody.
- Upon arrival into custody a 'Reception' visit can be booked but only if all public protection and safeguarding checks are complete. These checks can take up to 48 hours from your arrival in custody.
- If the prisoner wishes to have anyone under 18 years old on a visit they will first need to complete a Child Application Form. Once this form has been received, the Offender Management Unit will complete the relevant checks and if contact is allowed they will contact the parent/guardian in the community and arrange a time for them to come to the Prison to sign 'Parental Consent' paperwork. Only once this has been completed, they will be added to a visit.
How many visits are prisoner's entitled too
- The number of visits depends on the prisoner's Incentive Earned Privilege (IEP) status. They range from 2 visits, 4 visits, to 8 visits per month. It is important to note that visits cannot be carried over beyond a 28-day period.
How to add friends or families' numbers to phone contact list
- Prisoners must apply via the appropriate pin phone application to request to have numbers added onto their phone. Once the Offender Management Unit have received the form, they will complete the relevant checks which includes contacting the individual to confirm their number can be added.
- All forms submitted must include the persons full name, relationship, telephone number, full address, and date of birth. Applications without these details cannot be processed.
Tip: Gather all the required information from friends and family prior to custody.
Can prisoner's write to their families and friends?
- Yes, we encourge all types of contact with friends and family if there are no restrictions for public protection or safeguarding.
- If you are going to write to a family member or friend in custody, you will need to address it with their prison number, full name and the full Prison address. It also needs to be clearly marked with who it is from and your address so checks can be made by staff that contact is approved.
What is the process if a family member wishes to ask any questions?
- Family members can contact the Prison on the main prison line (01481 222025) to ask general questions and to report any concerns they may have about their loved ones however, due to data protection, staff are not allowed to divulge any specific details about someone we hold in custody or confirm if a person is in custody.
Money
Bringing money into Prison
- Upon first arrival into custody, we will accept cash and we recommend bringing some with you so you can access emergency canteen and telephone credit upon arrival.
- We are now cashless so any future transactions will need to be sent to our Prison bank account. The transaction must clearly identify the prisoner's initials and their prison number as well as the sender's name. The amount must not exceed £50.00 per transcation per day. In order to send money in you must be approved by the prison to send funds to a named prisoner.
- Any funds that do not comply with the above may cause significant delays and money may possibly be returned back to the sender.
- Please note bank payments can take up 3 - 5 working days to reach the Prison's bank account.
- Please contact the Prison to receive the bank details.
Can a Prisoner earn money in Prison
- Prisoners are expected to work and will be allocated a job. All wages will be put into their own prison account.
How does a prisoner order canteen
- All prisoners are given a canteen sheet each week which needs to be completed and returned to the canteen box. These forms are then collected and dealt with by the storeman and delivered to prisoners on a Thursday lunchtime.
Visits
- Monday, Wednesday and Friday 16:15 - 17:00 - Main Population
- Tuesday and Thursday 16:15 - 17:00 - Vulnerable Population
- Saturday 09:15 - 10:15 and 10:45 - 11:45 - Main Population
- Sunday 09:15 - 10:15 - Main Population and 10:45 - 11:45 Vulnerable Population
Family Visits - 14:15hrs - 15:45hrs
- Monday 28th May
- Monday 22nd July
- Monday 21st August
- Monday 28th October
- Monday 23rd December
Property
What property can a prisoner bring in
- Please see attached facilities list which will advise you what is permitted in the Prison. New receptions have a seven-day window from the day they came into Prison in which property can be handed in. Property must be dropped off between the hours of 8:30am - 9:30am.
Can a prisoner receive books
- Yes, prisoners can receive books. But not magazines or newspapers (these must be ordered through the newsagent via the Prison)
Safety and Decency
How often do prisoners get to shower
- Prisoner's can shower during association times. This will mean they can shower at least once every day.
How often do prisoners exercise
- Exercise is offered in the mornings and on weekend afternoons.
How does a prisoner get a haircut
- Prisoners can get a haircut as we do have a hairdresser thats comes into the Prison. There is a charge for an appointment.
Offender Management Unit (OMU)
What is Offender Management and how do they work with prisoners?
- Offender Management refers to a working partnership between the Prison Service and the Probation Service.
- The Prison OMU works closely with Probation Officers based in the community to ensure that offenders receive an integrated and consistent approach to their assessment and sentence planning.
What is the role of a Offender Supervisor?
- The role of an Offender Supervisor is to work in collaboration with Probation and to contribute to the assessment of prisoners needs and prepare, implement, review, and evaulate their sentence planning targets. They build effective, appropriate, and supportive relationships with prisoners, with the aim of reducing re-offending.
Complaints Process
How does a prisoner make a complaint
- The Prison have a complaints policy and Prisoners are able to raise a complaint.
How can a member of the public make a complaint
- All complaints received will be dealt with in confidence. Contact us by any of the below:
- Call the prison and speak and ask to speak to the Duty Oscar on shift.
- Use the contact us online at Prison.gov@gov.gg
- Write to the Prison Administration Manager
- If your complaint is in writing, a response may take up to 20 days.
- We recognise that discrimination and harassment can occur, and we take action whenever we discover them. If you witness or are involved in a diversity related incident, please inform a member of staff.
