Question 1

My loved one is in prison, how can I contact them?

Accepted Answer

If you know which prison someone is in you can write to them.
Put their name and either their date of birth or prison number on both the letter and envelope and send it to the address of the prison. All letters are photocopied and the photocopy is given to the prisoner. He will be given the originals when he is released. All post will be opened and checked by staff.

If you know someone's prison number you can email them.
Use emailaprisoner.com (emailaprisoner.com)to send emails to prisoners. There is a small charge for sending each message and you need to load a minimum of £5 credit to your account. You can pay a small additional charge if you would like the prisoner to be able to send you a reply. Emails are printed out in black and white and delivered to the prisoner once per day.

You cannot phone a prisoner but they can phone you.
If you would like a prisoner to phone you, you could send them a letter or email containing your phone number. The prison's Security department will check the list of contacts who the prisoner wants to phone so it may be a few days before you hear from them. Prisoners are given £1 phone credit when they arrive at prison and they can order extra credit from the prison shop (known as canteen) once per week.

If you don't know which prison someone is in you can use the Find a Prisoner Service: Find a prisoner - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)(https://www.gov.uk/find-prisoner)

Jigsaw staff are not able to tell you whether someone is at HMP Leeds or Wealstun.

Question 2

I'm worried about a prisoner

Accepted Answer

Every prison has a safer custody hotline. You can phone or send an online message to report concerns about a prisoner's physical health, mental health or any other worries. Remember to leave your name and contact details in the message.

You can find the contact numbers and contact forms for each prison at these links.

If you believe the prisoner is at immediate risk, these links give details of how to contact the prison in an emergency.

HMP Leeds(https://www.prisonersfamilies.org/hmp-leeds)
HMP Wealstun(https://www.prisonersfamilies.org/hmp-wealstun)

Question 3

How do I book a prison visit?

Accepted Answer

In order to visit a prisoner, he must first have added you to his Approved Visitor List. He can do this by filling in a form at the Prisoner Information Desk on his wing. His visitor list will be checked by the prison so it may take a few days from him filling in this form before you can book a visit.

If you have been added to his visitor list you can make a booking either online or by phone. You can find details of how to do this on our BOOKING A VISIT (https://www.jigsawcharity.org/visit-booking)page.

At HMP Leeds you can book a visit face to face on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday between 8.00-11.30am or between 1.30-3.30pm; and also on Saturday or Sunday between 9.00-11.30am or 1.30-3.30pm. Go to the main entrance.

Question 4

Why are my online visit requests being rejected?

Accepted Answer

If a prisoner has not added you to their Approved Visitor List then you will not be able to book a visit. It can take several days for you to be added to his visitor list after he makes this request, so you may not be able to book a visit straight away.

Your visit request might be rejected if the visit is already full on the dates you have requested. At HMP Leeds there are 20 tables available for each visit slot.

At HMP Leeds, if you are visiting a prisoner who is on F wing you should request a visit on the slots which are reserved for prisoners on this wing. These are Tuesday at 2pm, Wednesday at 3.30pm, Saturday at 9am and Sunday at 3.30pm.

Question 5

What happens on the day of my prison visit?

Accepted Answer

On the day of your visit you should arrive at the visitor centre at least 30 minutes before your scheduled visit time.

You need to bring ID on every visit. ID must be originals (not photos or photocopies).
If you are visiting with under 18s you must bring their full birth certificate.

Read more about the dress code and buying refreshments during your visit on our ABOUT YOUR VISIT (https://www.jigsawcharity.org/about-your-visit)page.

Question 6

How do I bring a prisoner's own clothes?

Accepted Answer

The process for dropping off prisoner clothes is different at each prison. Please see the visitor information booklet for either Leeds or Wealstun on the Resources tab of this website. This gives details of the clothing rules and amounts and how to drop off clothing.

Question 7

Can children visit prison?

Accepted Answer

Before you can book a visit with a child, the prisoner must have added the child to his Approved Visitor List. He can do this at the Prisoner Information Desk on his wing. The prison will carry out checks to determine whether children can visit each prisoner.

All visitors aged under 18 must be accompanied by an adult and you must bring the full birth certificate of every child every time you visit.

The Prison Advice and Care Trust have created videos and books that you can use to help explain the prison visiting process to children. For children | Prison Advice and Care Trust(https://www.prisonadvice.org.uk/Listing/Category/for-children)

Question 8

Can I bring him photos / books / clothes / food when I visit?

Accepted Answer

You are not permitted to hand anything to a prisoner when you visit them.

Our KEEP IN TOUCH p(https://www.jigsawcharity.org/keep-in-touch)age tells you how you can send photos and books in the post.

You can send a prisoner money using this link: Send money to someone in prison.(https://www.gov.uk/send-prisoner-money) Once per week he will have an opportunity  to order items from the prison shop (known as canteen). He can buy phone credit, vapes, tea, coffee and extra food.

Before you bring him clothes, the prisoner must complete a clothing application. He can do this at the Prisoner Information Desk on his wing. On the form he must specify who will bring the clothes and the date you wish to come. This date should be at least 2 weeks in the future to allow time for the form to be processed. A clothing drop off appointment will be confirmed to the prisoner and he must let you know the details.

Question 9

Can you give a prisoner a message from me?

Accepted Answer

Jigsaw are not able to pass messages to prisoners.

If you need to contact a prisoner and you know their prison number, the quickest way to do this is by using emailaprisoner.com. (emailaprisoner.com.)There is a small charge for sending each email.

Question 10

How can I support Jigsaw?

Accepted Answer

Jigsaw are a charity and we are pleased to receive donations to support the work of our visitor centre.

Contact us on info@jigsawcharity.org (info@jigsawcharity.org)for details of how to donate money.

At Jigsaw at HMP Leeds you can also donate non-perishable food items which will be used to help families who are in food poverty while their loved one is in prison.