Support at HMP Wealstun
Directions
Booking a Visit
About Your Visit
Support for family & friends
Support for prisoners
Jigsaw @ HM Prison Leeds
Directions
Jigsaw Visitors Centre
c/o HMP Wealstun
Thorp Arch
Wetherby
LS23 7AZ
Contact Jigsaw at HMP Wealstun: 01937 444663
Jigsaw Opening Times:
Mon and Wed: 1.30pm-4.15pm
Tue and Thu: 8.30am – 11.15am and 1.30pm-4.15pm
Fri: closed
Sat-Sun: 8.30am – 11.45am and 1.30pm – 4.15pm
Arriving by Bus
Visit wymetro.com for bus routes and timetables
Bus route 7 from Leeds / Harrogate calls at Thorp Arch.
Arriving by Car
There is a large visitor’s car park signposted as you approach the prison on the left-hand side about 200 yards from the main gate. If you are coming from Boston Spa direction the car park is on the right.
There are a limited number of disabled parking spaces next to the Visitors Centre, just to the right of the main gate. There is no general parking here.
Booking a Visit
Prison Visiting Times at HMP Leeds:
Mon and Wed: 2.15pm – 4.00pm
Tue and Thu: 8.45am – 11.00am, 2.15pm-4.00pm
Fri: no visits
Sat-Sun: 9.30-11.30pm, 2.00 – 4.00pm
Prison visits are 2 hours long at HMP Wealstun.
Prison visit entitlement
The number of visits a prisoner can have depends on whether he is on remand or convicted.
Prisons operate an Incentives and Earned Privileges (IEP) scheme which has three levels: Basic, Standard and Enhanced. Prisoners start on the Standard regime when they arrive.
A Standard prisoner is entitled to 3 visits per week (remand) or 3 visits per month (convicted). If he progresses to Enhanced level he will be entitled to extra visits, and if he is moved to Basic he will get fewer visits.
A prisoner’s IEP level depends on their behaviour in the prison.
You can book a prison visit online, by phone, or in person at HMP Leeds
Visits can only be booked for the following fortnight.
A maximum of three visitors aged 10+ can attend each visit, plus up to three visitors aged under 10. At least one adult visitor (18+) must be present on every visit.
To book online
Visit prisonvisits.service.gov.uk and follow the instructions on screen. Please book your visit at least 48 hours in advance. You will receive a confirmation by email if your booking is successful.
To book by phone
HMP Wealstun visit booking: 01937 444 599, Monday to Thursday between 8.30am – 12.30pm.
About your visit
Download our quick guides to visiting HMP Leeds for adults and children.
ID requirements
You must bring ID on every visit, for every visitor. Acceptable forms of ID can be found on gov.uk.
For visitors aged under 18 you must bring their full birth certificate or a passport on every visit. Red books are accepted for babies up to 6 weeks old.
Only original documents will be accepted, not photos or photocopies.
Help with the cost of visiting someone in prison
If you are on certain benefits or have a health certificate, you can apply for financial help with the cost of visiting someone in prison. Full details of how to apply are on gov.uk.
Visitor centre staff can give you a form which you will submit to prove the date and time of your visit.
On the day of your prison visit:
You will need to go to the Visitor Centre at HMP Wealstun. You should arrive at the visitor centre at least 30 minutes before your scheduled visit time to allow time to go through security and have your ID checked. If you arrive after your visit start time, the amount of time you have on the visit will be reduced. If you arrive more than 30 minutes after your visit start time, you will not be allowed to enter.
At the weekend, Jigsaw staff will be in the visit centre to offer support and answer any questions you may have.
Before going into your visit
You will need to leave items such as phones, keys, wallets, watches, hats and scarves in a locker in the visitor centre.
The items that you will take into the prison are your ID, cash if you would like to buy refreshments during your visit, and your locker key. If you’re visiting with children you are allowed to take a nappy, wipes and baby formula (made up into liquid, not powder) into the visit hall in a clear plastic bag which the visitor centre can provide. You may also bring a pram or car seat into the visit.
There is step free access into the visit room for wheelchair users. If you need to take medication or inhalers into the visit, please make staff aware of this when you arrive.
Visitor dress code:
There is a dress code for visitors. You are not permitted to wear steel toe caps or spiked shoes; no shorts or skirts shorter than knee length; no clothing with large rips; no sports team logos; no headwear or scarves other than for religious purposes.
You are allowed to wear jewellery and a belt in the visit room. However. you’re not allowed to wear watches, or headwear other than religious items.
Refreshments during your visit:
Drinks and snacks can be bought from the refreshment bar in the visit room.
Each adult can bring up to £60 to spend in the visit room. This can be in coins or notes but not bank cards.
Support for family & friends at HMP Wealstun
Family Support Workers
Our family support staff are based in the Visitors Centre at HMP Wealstun during weekends only. They offer visitors support, information and advice in person or by phone, including guidance on ID requirements, staying in touch with someone in prison, sending money and information about local support services.
Food parcels
We understand that having a family member in prison can impact on family finances. If you and your family are struggling, Jigsaw can provide small food parcels to support your family. Food parcels can be picked up from the Jigsaw Visitor Centre at HMP Leeds.
Family Visits
During school holidays Jigsaw organise Family Visits for prisoners with children aged 0–17 years old. Family Visits are two-hour visits which take place during school holidays throughout the year. They are delivered both morning and afternoon. On visit days Jigsaw organise a craft activity or quiz and some snacks. The prisoner must fill in an application form on the Prisoner Information Desk if they would like you to attend one of these visits.
Family Forum
Online family forums take place to allow families to speak with one of the Governors of HMP Wealstun. Holding these forums online means that families don’t need to travel to the prison but can join by downloading the Microsoft Teams app. Speak to a member of Jigsaw staff to find out more about how to attend.
Support for prisoners at HMP Wealstun
Jigsaw Family Engagement Workers
Our specialist Family Engagement Workers provide one to one casework support to prisoners at HMP Leeds to build and maintain their relationships and support their wellbeing. We also support prisoners who have limited or no social contact with family or friends. Our casework support can help prisoners to:
- maintain contact with their family and friends
- navigate complex family contact issues
- maintain and develop their parenting role with their children
- improve relationships between family members
- access support from other professionals within the prison and in the community
- improve their emotional wellbeing and sense of hope for the future.
Family learning
Jigsaw delivers a parenting programme to fathers in custody, providing men with the opportunity to reflect on their role as fathers, develop their communication skills and enhance their parenting.
FAQ's
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