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Family communication toolkit

Contacting HMP Wormwood Scrubs

A step-by-step guide for families using the United Kingdom prison system. Everything below is aggregated from public sources; the prison's own official channels are linked where available.

Data is aggregated from public sources and may be incomplete or out of date. Always verify with primary sources before acting on any figure. See data sources.

Send mail to United Kingdom

Address block. Copy and paste into your envelope or shipping label.

Prisoner Full Name & Prisoner Number
HMP Wormwood Scrubs
HMP Wormwood Scrubs PO Box 757 Du Cane Road London W12 0AE See map Help us to improve this page. Give us your feedback in this 2 minute survey.
London W12 0AE
United Kingdom

This prison's specific mail rules

introduction of in-cell telephones had at least allowed them to stay in regular

Country-wide mail rules

  • · Cash not accepted — use Send Money to a Prisoner (free, GOV.UK).
  • · Paper letters only; no laminated photos, polaroids, stickers, glitter.
  • · Books direct from a reputable retailer (e.g. Amazon, Foyles) are accepted in most prisons.
  • · Legal mail (Rule 39) is confidential between counsel and inmate.

Send money (GBP (£))

Phone calls

  • · PIN-phone system in cells (most prisons since 2021): inmate calls a pre-approved number list.
  • · Inmate buys credit from their canteen account.
  • · Most calls are recorded and may be listened to.
  • · Legal calls to numbered exempt-list lines are unmonitored.

This prison's general number: 0300 060 6511(administrative — you cannot speak to inmates this way)

Visiting

Book a visit: Prison Visits Booking — GOV.UK

Book online; allow at least 7 days. Free to family.

This prison's visiting rules

Inspectors visited this high-profile, overcrowded London prison during a June heatwave. When we last visited, the prison was emerging from the restrictions windows, serveries, the visits hall and showers. Officers were rightly proud of

Country-wide visiting rules

  • · Government photo ID required on arrival.
  • · Dress code: no head coverings (except religious), no overly revealing clothing.
  • · Children under 18 must be on the inmate's approved visitor list and accompanied.
  • · Arrive 20 minutes early for processing. Visits typically 1–2 hours.

Send an email to an inmate

  • Email a Prisoner

    Pay per message; the prison prints it and delivers in the inmate's daily post.

First-visit checklist

  • Government photo ID (driving licence, passport, blue-badge)
  • Visit confirmation reference (email)
  • Coins for the visitor-centre locker and refreshments
  • Plain clothing — leave belts, jewellery, sunglasses in the locker
  • No phone in the visits hall; leave in the locker

Legal aid

Helpful to know

  • · Assisted Prison Visits Unit (apvu.homeoffice.gov.uk) reimburses travel for visitors on a low income.
  • · Pact (Prison Advice and Care Trust) runs visitor centres at many prisons and offers practical support.

Important

This toolkit aggregates publicly available guidance. Rules vary by facility and change over time — always confirm with the prison's official contact channels before sending mail, money, or attempting a visit.