Giving property or money to a prisoner
You can bring clothing, property or money for a prisoner. You can do this in person or by post or by lodging money into their accounts.
Clothes
Clothing parcels may be left at Visits Reception when you are attending a visit. All clothing must be machine washable.
You will need to check with the prison concerned about the current list of accepted items.
You must produce photo identification when leaving or collecting parcels. You can only leave a parcel for the prisoner you are visiting.
Posting items to a prisoner
There is no restriction on the number of letters that can be sent in each week to prisons.
Your letter should be addressed using:
- Prisoner’s name and number
- Residential location (if known)
- Prison address
Some items are not allowed to be posted to a prisoner. These include:
- padded/musical/very large cards/3D type cards with raised areas
- laminated items
- food
- CDs or DVDs
- clothing
- money/cheques/postal orders or money orders
Giving prisoners money
Money for prisoners and young offenders can only be lodged into their Inmate Personal Cash (IPC) by contacting the payments line and depositing funds over the telephone. You will need a debit card and the prisoners ID number. (Credit Cards are not accepted).
Money can also be left at Visits Reception by a domestic visitor to that particular prisoner as long as a visit has been booked for the same day.
Exceptions to this may be approved if there has been no family visits for three months or more. The £500 maximum level of the account cannot be exceeded. Staff in Visits Reception can check the balance of all accounts, however this will not be divulged to the visitor.
You cannot leave money in for a prisoner you are not visiting.
| Prison | Contacts for payments |
|---|---|
| Maghaberry Prison | 028 9261 4026 |
| Magilligan Prison | 028 7772 0344 |
| Hydebank Wood College | 0300 200 7866 (visits/payment line) |