Book a visit to prison

You will need to book a visit if you want to see someone in prison. You can book online to arrange an in person visit or a virtual visit with a prisoner or you can telephone the prison Visits Booking Office.

Before you start

If you haven't visited a prison before you will need to phone to book your visit. You will be provided with your unique visitor identification number. Once you have this you can start to book online.

Booking online

To book online for an in person visit or a virtual visit you will need:

to have previously booked a visit
the visit reference number for the prisoner
the prisoner's number
your unique visitor identification number
your date of birth
your e-mail address and contact number
the unique visitor identification number and dates of birth for all additional visitors (not needed for a virtual visit)

If you do not have these details, you should phone the relevant booking office.

Book a prison visit

Booking by telephone

To book a visit by telephone you will need:

the visit reference number for the prisoner
the prisoner's number
your unique visitor identification number
your date of birth
your e-mail address and contact number
the unique visitor identification number and dates of birth for all additional visitors

If you don't have a unique visitor identification number, you can get one from the booking office which you can use for future visits.

If the person you are visiting has just arrived in prison you will need to ring the booking office and they can arrange a visit.

Contact numbers

Contact numbers for booking a visit
Prison	Phone number
Maghaberry Prison	Visit Booking 0300 200 7866 Monday to Friday 8.30 am – 12.30 pm / 2.00 pm – 4.30 pm Visit Booking 028 9261 4029 Saturday and Sunday 8.30 am – 12.30 pm / 2.00 pm – 4.30 pm Legal Visits 028 9261 4062 Monday to Friday 8.30 am – 12.30 pm / 2.00 pm – 4.30 pm Cash Deposits 028 9261 4026 Monday to Friday 8.30 am – 12.30 pm / 2.00 pm – 4.30 pm
Magilligan Prison	Visit Booking 0300 200 7866 Monday to Friday 8.30 am - 12.30 pm / 2.00 pm - 4.30 pm Visit Booking 028 7772 0449 Saturday and Sunday 8.30 am - 12.30 pm / 2.00 pm - 4.30 pm Legal Visits via videolink 028 7772 0335 or 028 777 20349 Monday to Friday 8.30 am - 12.30 pm / 2.00 pm - 4.30 pm Legal visits in person 028 7772 0449 Monday to Friday 8.30 am - 12.30 pm / 2.00 pm - 4.30 pm Cash Deposits 028 7772 0344 Monday to Friday 8.30 am - 12.30 pm / 2.00 pm - 4.30 pm
Hydebank Wood College	Visit Booking 0300 200 7866 Monday to Friday 8.30 am - 4.30 pm Visit Booking 028 9049 4333 Saturday and Sunday 8.30 am - 4.30 pm Legal visits 028 9049 4333 Monday to Friday 8.30 am - 4.30 pm Cash Deposits 0300 200 7866 Monday to Friday 8.30 am - 4.30 pm

Virtual visits

A virtual visit can last up to 20 minutes. The visitor can use a personal computer, mobile device or smartphone to have this meeting with the prisoner.

All virtual visits are supervised, if NIPS become aware of any behaviour, language or actions which are considered inappropriate, this will result in the visit ending early and possible removal of the facility in the future.

Guide to arranging an online visit
Privacy notice explaining your rights to privacy when you arrange an online visit

Registering for visits

All visitors need to be registered in the prison they are visiting. When you arrive at Visits Reception you need to be photographed, have a scan taken of your finger and you should bring identification.

more information about registering for visits

Bringing proof of identification to prison

When you first visit someone in prison, you will need to be registered on the prison system as a visitor. You will need to bring proof of identification with you when you are being registered.

more information about the types of identification needed

Useful links

Visiting someone in prison

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