Guidance
Frankland Prison
Frankland is a high-security men’s prison in Brasside, County Durham.
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Book and plan your visit to Frankland
Frankland is now offering limited visits for family and friends in line with coronavirus restrictions.
To ensure the safety of visitors, residents and staff, there are strict guidelines which must be followed during you visit.
To visit someone in Frankland you must:
- be on that person’s visitor list
- book your visit at least 2 days in advance
- have the required ID with you when you go
At least one visitor must be 18 or older at every visit. Up to 3 adults can visit at one time, along with any children.
The number of visits a resident can have depends on the privilege level he is on. You can check this with Frankland.
See the Nepacs website to learn more about visiting Frankland.
Help with the cost of your visit
If you get certain benefits or have an NHS health certificate, you might be able to get help with the costs of your visit, including:
- travel to Frankland
- somewhere to stay overnight
- meals
How to book family and friends visits
Frankland is running a limited visits schedule. Visits are also happening differently than normal, observing strict guidelines, which must be followed.
You can book your visit by telephone or you can also register to use the secure video calls service. There is no online booking service available.
Booking line: 0191 376 5048
The booking line is open Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 12:15pm and 12:45 to 3:30pm
Find out about call charges
Visiting times are Tuesday to Sunday, 2pm to 4pm.
How to book legal and professional visits
There are currently no legal visits taking place.
Getting to Frankland
The closest railway station is Durham, then take a taxi or bus to Brasside.
To plan your journey by public transport:
There is free car parking available at the prison and on-street parking. There are spaces for Blue Badge holders.
Entering Frankland
All visitors aged 16 and older need to bring one of the following types of photo ID:
- passport
- driving licence
- benefit book
- senior citizen’s public transport pass
- annual public transport season ticket (with photo card)
- employer ID card (if it shows the name of the visitor and the employer)
- European Community identity card
All visitors will need to be given a pat-down search, including children. You may also be sniffed by security dogs.
Frankland has a strict dress code policy, which means visitors should wear smart clothes (no vests, no low-cut tops, no shorts, no short dresses, no ripped clothing, no offensive slogans, no camouflage and no headwear, other than that worn for religious reasons).
There will be no refreshments available during your visit.
There are strict controls on what you can take into Frankland. You will have to leave most of the things you have with you in a locker (£1 coin refundable) or with security. This includes pushchairs and car seats.
You will be told the rules by an officer at the start of your visit. If you break the rules, your visit could be cancelled and you could be banned from visiting again.
Visiting facilities
There is a visitors centre run by Nepacs. The centre is open on visiting days from 11:30am to 4:15pm.
There will be no refreshments available during your visit. The children’s play area will not be available to use.
Family days
There are currently no family days being run.
Keep in touch with someone at Frankland
There are several ways you can keep in touch with a resident during their time at Frankland.
Phone calls
Residents do not have phones in their rooms so they will always have to call you. They have to buy phone credits to do this.
They can phone anyone named on their list of friends and family. This list is checked by security when they first arrive so it may take a few days before they are able to call.
You can also exchange voicemails using the Prison Voicemail service.
Officers may listen to phone calls as a way of preventing crime and helping keep people safe.
You can send emails to someone in Frankland using the Email a Prisoner service.
You might also be able to attach photos and receive replies from the resident, depending on the rules at Frankland.
Secure video calls
Secure video calling is available at this prison. Family and friends need to download the purple visits app, create an account, register all visitors, and add the prisoner to their contact list.
Letters
You can write at any time.
Include the person’s name and prisoner number on the envelope.
If you do not know their prisoner number, contact Frankland.
All post, apart from legal letters, will be opened and checked by officers.
Send money and gifts
You can use the free and fast online service to send money to someone in prison.
You can also send:
- postal orders
- cheques
- cash
Postal orders and cheques should be made payable to ‘The Governor’. Also include a covering letter specifying the intended resident’s name and prisoner number.
Gifts and parcels
You can not post or hand in anything for a resident in Frankland. Anything the resident needs must be ordered through the prison catalogues.
Life at Frankland
Frankland is committed to providing a safe and educational environment where men can learn new skills to help them on release.
Security and safeguarding
Every person at Frankland has a right to feel safe. The staff are responsible for their safeguarding and welfare at all times.
All safeguarding processes are overseen by County Durham Safeguarding Adults Inter-Agency Partnership.
Arrival and first night
When a resident first arrives at Frankland, they will be able to contact a family member by phone. This could be quite late in the evening, depending on the time they arrive.
They will get to speak to someone who will check how they’re feeling and ask about any immediate health and wellbeing needs.
Induction
Each person who arrives at Frankland gets an induction that lasts about a week. They will meet professionals who will help them with:
- health and wellbeing, including mental and sexual health
- any substance misuse issues, including drugs and alcohol
- personal development in custody and on release, including skills, education and training
- other support (sometimes called ‘interventions’), such as managing difficult emotions
Everyone also finds out about the rules, fire safety, and how things like calls and visits work.
Accommodation
Around 850 men live at Frankland across 8 wings. Rooms are single with their own toilets and sinks.
There is a healthcare unit and management progression unit.
There are gym facilities and all residents have access to a range of physical activities.
Education and work
Milton Keynes College provides various courses from basic skills to degree level. Residents can study full time or part time in a range of industrial, vocational and academic settings and gain nationally recognised qualifications.
Residents at Frankland can work in furniture production, cutting and sewing and recycling.
A range of offending behaviour programmes are offered.
Organisations Frankland works with
Frankland works with a wide range of local organisations to provide support and guidance to residents, including:
- Age UK
- Royal British Legion
- Fine Cell Work
- Samaritans
Support for family and friends
Find out about advice and helplines for family and friends.
Support at Frankland
Nepacs staff in the visitors centre can offer information and support. You can contact the visitors centre on: 0191 376 5200.
Problems and complaints
If you have a problem contact Frankland. If you cannot resolve the problem directly, you can make a complaint to HM Prison and Probation Service.
Contact Frankland
Governor: Brendan Feeney
Telephone: 0191 376 5000
Fax: 0191 376 5001
Find out about call charges
Address
HMP Frankland
Brasside
Durham
DH1 5YD
Safety concerns
If you have concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a man in Frankland, call the main telephone number and ask to speak to a member of staff.
Help us to improve this page. Give us your feedback in this 2-minutes survey.
Published 16 June 2020
Last updated 16 September 2020 + show all updates
Last updated 16 September 2020 + show all updates
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Updated visiting information in line with coronavirus restrictions.
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Updated visiting information in line with coronavirus restrictions.
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added video calling info
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First published.