Visiting Information

Visiting information for Chelmsford can be seen below.

Social visits

Mon-Thu: 14:15 - 16:00 (No entry after 3pm)

Sat & Sun: 09:30 - 11:00 (No entry after 10am) & 14:15 - 16:00 (No entry after 3pm)

Please note: If you arrive after the No Entry times you will not be permitted to enter the prison.

Booking information: To book a Social Visit call 01245 552 240 or 01245 552 265 Mon – Fri 08:15 – 12:15 and 13:45 – 16:15.

You must be in possession of a Visiting Order (convicted or Judges Remand) before booking a visit. Remand prisoners do not need a visiting Order, however they must submit: Name, Address including full postcode, Telephone number, Date of Birth & Relationship to the prison before you can book a visit. It would be helpful if you sent him this information via the post.

You may also use the social email booking form.  Please send to SocialVisits.Chelmsford@hmps.gsi.gov.uk.

Only the visitors that are booked on the visit will be allowed entry.

If you have a Visiting Order (convicted or Judges Remand) you MUST bring the Visiting Order with you when you Visit – NO VISITING ORDER NO VISIT

A condition of entry is that you comply with the Biometrics security system at HMP & YOI Chelmsford. This involves having your photo taken and identity recognition through your right thumbprint. The system allows your identity to be checked at all stages through the entry and exit procedure. It also speeds up the checking process for future visits. Failure to comply will result in your entry into the establishment being refused.

Visitors' Centre

Manager: Alison Herron, tel – 01245 552 452.

Email: chelmsfordprisonvisitorscentre@hotmail.co.uk

Opening Times:

Mon - Thur: 12:00 - 16:30

Sat & Sun: 08:00 - 11:30 & 12:00 - 16:30

All visits must be booked at least 24 hours in advance. A

For more detailed information, please see the visitors centre website. (HM Prison Service is not responsible for the content of external websites).

Acceptable forms of identification:

One of the following with a recognisable photograph:

• Driving licence photo ID card
• Passport (including foreign passports)
• Citizenship photocard
• EU identity card
• Immigration/HM Customs photo card
• Current employers cards (must show name, photo, signature and the employer must be known to exist
• Senior Citizens Public Transport Pass (issued by local authority)

Alternatively two of the following are required (within the last 3 months):

• Birth or marriage certificate
• Recent utility bill
• Recent bank statement
• Paper driving licence
• Young person's proof of age card
• Trade Union or National Students' Union membership card
• Foreign identity or resident's card
• Medical card (not E111 photocard)

The prison does not accept student ID cards or letters from benefits office, Solicitors, Police etc, as a form of ID.

Additional information: If the prisoner is on remand he may have up to 1 visit per day (subject to availability). Visitors to remand prisoners do not require a Visiting Order to attend. Convicted and Judges remand visits are dependant on the privilege level of the prisoner.

On arrival please book in at the Visitors' Centre. You must have your identification, a £1 coin for the lockers and small change for the Tea Bar (max £10).

For seating, a maximum of 3 adults and 3 children under the age of 5 will be allowed. Children over 5 require a seat, therefore take up an adult seat. If a child looks older than 4 ID may be required.

Please note there is no parking at the prison. Nearest car park is Riverside Ice and Leisure.

You may be entitled to help with your travel expenses. Please visit the Assisted Prison Visits Scheme page for more information.

Official visits

Mon: 09:00 - 11:00 & 13:30 - 16:00

Tue: 09:00 - 11:00 & 13:30 - 16:00

Wed: 09:00 - 11:00 & 13:30 - 16:00

Thu: 09:00 - 11:00 & 13:30 - 16:00

Fri: 09:00 - 11:00

Booking information: Book by fax on 01245 552 263, or by emailing legalvisits.chelmsford@hmps.gsi.gov.uk.

All bookings and alterations must be made no later than 12:00 one working day prior to the visit.

How to get there:

• Bus: The prison is served by Eastern National Buses (routes 48,53,55,56,353).
• Train: The Prison is 3/4 of a mile from Chelmsford Railway station.
• Car: Via the M11 Junction 7: At junction 7 take A414 Harlow and follow through to Chelmsford. At Widford roundabout (church on your left) take first left exit. Take 2nd exit at next roundabout (Supabowl on left) Take 2nd exit at next roundabout Princes Road at Army & Navy roundabout (with flyover) go straight over- Colchester/Harwich A138. Straight over next small roundabout. At traffic lights take left hand slip road into Sandford Road. Follow road to the end turn left at traffic lights into Springfield Road – Prison entrance is almost immediately on your left.
• Via the M25-A12 from London: From M25 take A12 to Chelmsford. Do not take the first Chelmsford slip road off the A12 but continue on to the 2nd slip road (Southend A130). Follow Chelmsford signs to Army & Navy roundabout take 4th exit A138 Colchester/Harwich. Then continue as above.
• Via the A12 from Colchester: From Colchester take A12 London bound – take the first Chelmsford slip road off the A12 (Chelmsford/Boreham). Keep in right hand lane of slip road and take 3rd exit off roundabout. You will immediately join another roundabout, take 1st exit A138. Go straight over the next roundabout and take the 1st exit at the following roundabout. At the next roundabout take the 3rd exit UNDER THE BRIDGE. Follow this road (Springfield Road) straight over a small roundabout and just after the 2nd set of traffic lights the Prison is immediately on your left.
• M11 Junction 8: From junction 8 take A120 towards Great Dunmow/Chelmsford. When nearing North Springfield you will travel along Essex Regiment Way – with a series of small roundabouts. At the roundabout at North Springfield (Council tip to your right) take left hand road A138 towards Boreham. Go straight over the next 2 roundabouts – at the 3rd roundabout (Sainsbury's to your left) turn right on to the A1137 Chelmsford. Go straight over the first small roundabout and at the next roundabout take the 3rd exit UNDER the bridge. Follow this road straight over a small roundabout and just after the 2nd set of traffic lights the Prison is immediately on your left.
• There are no parking spaces available at the prison for visitors. The nearest public car park is at Victoria Road approx 5 minutes walk from the prison.