Bedford Prison
Bedford Prison is a prison in the centre of Bedford for men aged 18 and over.
Help us to improve this page. Give us your feedback in this 2-minute survey.
Book and plan your visit to Bedford prison
Bedford prison is now offering visits for family, friends and significant others, in line with stage 3 of the National Framework for Prisons.
To book a visit, contact the prison.
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 Bedford Prison
You may not be able to speak with someone at Bedford Prison during their first few days. This is because it can take up to 5 days to approve who they can be in touch with.
Prisoners do not have phones in their rooms so they will always need to call you rather than you call them.
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
Prisoners can phone anyone named on their list of friends and family. This list is checked by the public protection team.
You can also exchange voicemails using the Prison Voicemail service.
Authorised officers may listen to phone calls as a way of preventing crime and helping keep people safe.
You can send emails to someone in Bedford Prison using the Email a Prisoner service.
You might also be able to attach photos and receive replies, depending on the rules at Bedford Prison.
Letters
Include the person’s full name and prisoner number (if you have it) on the envelope.
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 no longer send money by bank transfer, cheque, postal order or send cash by post.
If you cannot use the online service, you may be able to apply for an exemption - for example if you:
- are unable to use a computer, a smart phone or the internet
- do not have a debit card
This will allow you to send money by post.
Gifts and parcels
People in Bedford Prison can buy permitted items from approved online retailers.
For other requests, contact Bedford Prison for more information on what’s allowed.
If approved, 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 Bedford Prison
Bedford Prison is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment where men can learn new skills to help them on release.
Security and safeguarding
Every person at Bedford Prison has a right to feel safe. The staff are responsible for their safeguarding and welfare at all times.
If you have any concerns about a prisoner at Bedford Prison, contact the Safer Custody team or speak to a member of staff at the visitors centre.
All safeguarding processes are overseen by Bedford Safeguarding Adults Team.
Arrival and first night
When a prisoner first arrives at Bedford, 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 Bedford Prison gets an induction that lasts about 2 days. 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
About 500 men live at Bedford Prison.
Education and work
Prisoners have access to a range of work, training and education opportunities including:
- industrial cleaning
- painting and decorating
- independent living skills
- production workshops
- physical education qualifications
- laundry
- kitchens
They can also get help and support on issues such as health and wellbeing, substance misuse, housing, debt and family relationships in preparation for release.
Support for family and friends
Bedford works with Ormiston Families, a charity supporting children, young people and families to manage the challenges they face and improve their life chances. The Ormiston Families team is based in the visitors centre. It provides support and information to help you access available services.
Find out about advice and helplines for family and friends.
Problems and complaints
If you have a problem contact Bedford Prison. If you can’t resolve the problem directly, you can make a complaint to HM Prison and Probation Service.
HM Prison and Probation Service publishes action plans for Bedford Prison in response to independent inspections.
Contact Bedford Prison
Governor: Patrick Butler
Telephone: 01234 373 000
Fax: 01234 273 568
Find out about call charges
Address
HMP Bedford
St Loyes
Bedford
MK40 1HG
Safer custody hotline
If you are concerned about the safety or wellbeing of a man in Bedford, call the safer custody hotline.
Telephone: 01234 373 069
Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm
Find out about call charges
safercustodybedford@justice.gov.uk
An answerphone is available out of these hours that is checked twice a day. You can also call the main prison telephone number if out of hours.
Help us to improve this page. Give us your feedback in this 2-minute survey.
Last updated 18 June 2021 + show all updates
-
Prison has resumed visits for family, friends and significant others. We will update this page with specific visiting information as soon as possible.
-
Covid update
-
Updated visit info
-
Updated visiting information in line with new local restriction tiers.
-
Updated visiting information in line with new local restriction tiers.
-
Updated visiting information in line with new local restriction tiers.
-
Updated visiting information in line with new national restrictions in England.
-
Updated visiting information in line with coronavirus restrictions.
-
Updated visiting information in line with coronavirus restrictions.
-
Visits information updated
-
First published.