VISITOR CENTRE INFORMATION
HMP BUCKLEY HALL
Buckley Hall was, at its reopening, the fourth
contracted out prison in the UK, and the first
privately managed Cat C establishment holding
medium security prisoners. Group 4 Prison
Services operated it but after a tendering
process in June 2000 the establishment reverted
to Prison Service control. The establishment is
managed under a Service Level Agreement
monitored by the Compliance Monitor, reporting
to the Regional Offender Manager, CCU and the
Area Manager.
In November 2001 it was announced that the prison would re-role to a closed female training
prison. The first female prisoners arrived in April 2002. As a result of population pressures in the
male estate, it was decided to re-role the establishment back to a male category C prison in
September 2005. The male prisoners began arriving on December 5th 2005.
POPS strive to provide advice and support for all visitors on a range of issues. We also offer one to
one support at times to suit families, please ask for more information. Family Forums are also
available for families to get involved in, allowing families the opportunity to express any concerns
that they may have.
Booking Line: 01706 514 350
Visitor Centre: 01706 514357
Prison Switchboard: 01706 514 300
Visiting Times:
Monday
13.15 – 17.00
Tuesday
13.15 – 17.00
Wednesday 13.15 – 17.00 & 17.30 – 19.00
Thursday
13.15 – 17.00
Friday
13.15 – 16.30
Saturday
09:30-11:30 & 13:15 – 16.30
Sunday
09:30-11:30 & 13.15 – 16.30
Please note that some of these sessions are for enhanced prisoners only - please ask the booking
clerk at time of booking for more information.
T: 0161 702 1000 E: mail@partnersofprisoners.co.uk W: www.partnersofprisoners.co.uk
Registered Charity Number: 1048152 Registered Company Number: 3067385 Registered VAT Number: 883 303 130
March 2014
Booking Procedure:
Visits are booked by the visitor using a visiting order sent out by the prisoner. Booking lines are
open Monday-Friday 09:30-11:30 and Monday/Wednesday/Friday 14:00-16:00. Alternatively
visitors can send an email to socialvisits.buckleyhall@hmps.gsi.gov.uk indicating the day you wish
to visit. The visits booking clerk will then check if there is availability, if there is, the visit is then
booked and a confirmation email sent out to you. If not, the booking clerk will contact you either
by phone or email with an alternative date. Visits can also be booked in the Visitors Centre
between after 1pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Arriving at the prison:
Visitors should arrive at least 30 minutes before a visit. Car parking is provided for visitors
including 3 disabled spaces. All visitors should book in at the visitors' centre.
Visitor Centre:
The visitor centre is open between 1.15 and 17.00 Monday to Friday, it is also open on Wednesday
Evenings from 17.30 to 19.00 Weekends we are open from 9.00 – 12.00 and 1.15 – 16.30
Refreshments are available from our tea bar so please ensure you have change with you. Lockers
are available for £1 Deposit. Toilets, including baby-changing facilities are available on site.
Entering the Prison:
A biometric system is in operation and all visitors, including children, are photographed. All visitors
are searched which will involve passing through a metal detector and a pat-down search. There
may also be passive drugs dogs present. Children are patted down by female staff in front of their
parents. All visitors' religious beliefs are respected. There is a private room available should
religious headwear need to be removed as part of the search. Visitors may only take money for
refreshments with them into the visits hall. A maximum of £20 is allowed, preferably in coins. All
other personal possessions should be left in your car or in the lockers provided. Once on the
biometric system ID will no longer be required.
Children:
Prams and pushchairs can be taken into the prison. A feeding bottle and spare nappies can also be
taken on visits. Visitors can access baby changing facilities in both the visitors' centre and the visits
hall. There is a room available in the visitor centre for mothers who wish to breast feed. Breast
feeding is not allowed in the Visit Room but mothers are welcome to use the baby changing room
if required.
Visitors ID:
Each visitor will need to present a form of photo ID i.e. a passport or driving licence. ID for children
can be a birth certificate, medical card or red book. All male visitors over 18 are given a wrist band
should not be removed until they reach the gatehouse. The wristband is checked after the visit
prior to them leaving the visits hall.
In the Visits Hall:
Visitors can purchase hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, snacks and sweets from the tea bar to eat
during the visit. Toilets and baby-changing facilities are available in the visits hall. A play area is
available for children between the ages of 2 and 12 years. This area is supervised by POPS Staff but
parents/carers are responsible for the children at all times.
T: 0161 702 1000 E: mail@partnersofprisoners.co.uk W: www.partnersofprisoners.co.uk
Registered Charity Number: 1048152 Registered Company Number: 3067385 Registered VAT Number: 883 303 130
March 2014
Accessibility:
Fully accessible with 3 disabled parking spaces and toilets. The prison is located on a very steep
hill. Should visitors need assistance they should contact the prison in advance to arrange this.
Wheelchairs are allowed into the visit hall (but are subject to searching).
Money and Property:
The quickest and safest way to send money into HMP Buckley Hall is by postal order, which can be
purchased from any post office. The Postal Order should be made payable to HM Prison Service.
You should also put the prisoner's full name and prison number on the back and also your name
and address. This should then be sent to the prison addressed to the prisoner (including their
prison number). A postal order costs £1 for every £10 purchased but is a safe and secure method
for sending money in which can be tracked. Cheques can be sent in but can take 2-3 weeks to
clear.
PLEASE NOTE: The procedure for sending property into the prison will change with effect from
May 2013.
Parcels can still be sent through the post but prisoner's families are now able to hand in parcels at
the visitor's centre; this is a new procedure to assist families with the costly issues around
postage. This service is only available Monday - Friday afternoons during visiting hours.
The procedures in terms of eligibility and timeframes will not be changing.
Parcels will only be accepted by the visits centre for prisoners who are on enhanced regime (on
their wing parcel month) and those within their initial 28 days of custody (as outlined in the
decency parcel ruling).
2013 Parcel Months
May......A Wing
June .....D Wing
July.......B Wing
Aug.......None
Sept .....C Wing
Oct........None
Nov.......A Wing
Dec.......D Wing
This new process is being trialled as a pilot.
How to get there:
Buckley Hall is situated 2 miles north of Rochdale in Lancashire.
Bus: From Rochdale Bus Station take any of the following: 449, 450, 454, 55, 56, 57, 58, 527, 528,
589, 590, 700. Get off at Hamer Post Office and follow signs for the prison, approximately 10
minutes walk from bus stop. No direct bus to the prison.
Train: By train to Rochdale Station then taxi to the prison.
Car: Exit the M62 Junction 21 signed 'Milnrow and Shaw'. From slip-road follow signs for Milnrow
and Rochdale, leading onto the A640 -Elizabethan Way (please note: from here HMP Buckley Hall
is sign posted). At the first major junction turn right into the A664 Albert Royd Street signed
Littleborough. Take a left at the next roundabout onto the Halifax Road signed Rochdale Town
Centre. Take a second right again into Buckley Road. Do not go up the hill, but turn right opposite
Park Road. Carry on down Buckley Road, and take the 2nd exit at the roundabout. The prison is
T: 0161 702 1000 E: mail@partnersofprisoners.co.uk W: www.partnersofprisoners.co.uk
Registered Charity Number: 1048152 Registered Company Number: 3067385 Registered VAT Number: 883 303 130
March 2014
first left along this road. A car park is available for the use of both visitors and staff.
Local Taxis: Globe 01706 355553, Central 01706 633335, Streamline 01706 644211, Jo Baxis 01706
653545, Cozy Cars 01706 648000
Prison Address:
HMP Buckley Hall, Buckley Hall Road, Rochdale, Lancashire, OL12 9DP
Further details on local public transport can be found here.
Financial Assistance with Visiting:
If you qualify to receive help with your finances such as benefits, you may be able to recoup all or
part of the cost of your travel expenses through the Assisted Prison Visits Scheme. For more
information ask a member of the POPS team. As part of your application you will need to get a
secondary form stamped by prison staff in order to prove your visit took place. You can request a
copy of this form at the visitor centre. If you have any problems with accessing this service, the
visitor centre staff will be happy to assist you.
Email a prisoner:
If you have access to email, it is possible to use www.emailaprisoner.com to keep in contact with
the person you are visiting. Each email costs 30p so this can be cheaper than sending letters
through post. Visit www.emailaprisoner.com and click ‘signup’.
T: 0161 702 1000 E: mail@partnersofprisoners.co.uk W: www.partnersofprisoners.co.uk
Registered Charity Number: 1048152 Registered Company Number: 3067385 Registered VAT Number: 883 303 130
March 2014