Whitemoor prison
Whitemoor is a men’s high security prison in March, Cambridgeshire.
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Book and plan your visit to Whitemoor
Whitemoor prison is at stage 3 in the National Framework for Prisons. We are now preparing to open for visits and we will update this page with specific visiting information as soon as possible.
Find out more about visiting someone in prison during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can also follow @HMPPS on Twitter and read a rolling update page.
There are a number of other ways to contact someone in prison if you are unable to visit them. You can:
- leave a voice message using the Prison Voicemail Service
- send them an email using the email a prisoner service
- write to them
- use secure video calling
You can also contact the Prisoners’ Families Helpline on 0808 808 2003.
Keep in touch with someone at Whitemoor
There are several ways you can keep in touch with a resident during their time at Whitemoor.
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.
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 Whitemoor 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 Whitemoor.
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 Whitemoor.
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.
Gifts and parcels
People in Whitemoor are given a list of approved items that can be sent to them as gifts. Contact Whitemoor for more information on what’s allowed.
Make sure to include the person’s name and prisoner number on the parcel.
All parcels will be opened and checked by officers.
Life at Whitemoor
As a maximum security prison, Whitemoor is committed to helping men convicted of serious offences make positive use of long sentences. It also works to reduce the risk of reoffending through assessment, work, education and offending behaviour programmes.
Security and safeguarding
Every person at Whitemoor has a right to feel safe. The staff are responsible for their safeguarding and welfare at all times.
All safeguarding processes are overseen by Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Safeguarding Adults Board.
Arrival and first night
When a resident first arrives at Whitemoor, 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 Whitemoor 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 500 men live at Whitemoor. There are 4 main residential wings (A, B, C and F) plus the specialist Fens unit. All men get their own room.
Sports facilities include a full size sports hall, a weight-training room, fitness suite and an outside astroturf pitch. Residents have access to a full programme of classes and activities.
Education and work
Residents have access to a broad programme of learning opportunities. These include a strong focus on information and communications technology (ICT), from a foundation level to higher learning with the Open University.
Residents can take vocational training in construction trades, including painting, decorating and plastering.
Work is available throughout the prison, including in Whitemoor’s recycling and laundry workshops. Residents can also work in desktop publishing and computer refurbishment as part of a restorative justice project with IT Schools Africa.
Whitemoor also runs a number of accredited offending behaviour programmes and non-accredited courses for personal and social development.
Support for family and friends
Find out about advice and helplines for family and friends.
Support at Whitemoor
The Ormiston Families team provides a range of information, guidance and support to families and friends of residents.
Problems and complaints
If you have a problem contact Whitemoor. If you cannot resolve the problem directly, you can make a complaint to HM Prison and Probation Service.
Contact Whitemoor
Governor: Ruth Stephens
Telephone: 01354 602 350
Fax: 01354 602 351
Find out about call charges
Address
HMP Whitemoor
Longhill Road
March
Cambridgeshire
PE15 0PR
Safer custody
If you have concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a man in Whitemoor, call the main telephone number and ask to speak to the orderly officer or duty governor.
Last updated 30 April 2021 + show all updates
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Prison moved into National Stage 3 framework and is now preparing to open visits for family, friends and significant others. We will update this page with specific visiting information as soon as possible.
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Updated visiting information in line with new local restriction tiers.
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Updated visiting information in line with new local restriction tiers.
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Updated visiting information in line with new local restriction tiers.
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Updated visiting information in line with new national restrictions in England.
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Added legal visits booking and time slot information
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Updated visiting information in line with coronavirus restrictions.
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Updated: HMP Whitemoor visiting times and visiting procedure changes in line with coronavirus restrictions.
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Updated information to include confirmation of secure video calls being available at this prison.
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First published.