HMP Bedford

HMP Bedford is a Category B local prison for men in Bedford. Also known as Bedford Town.

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Christmas: visitor list by Mon 30 Nov

St Loyes Street, Bedford, MK40 1HG

01234 373 000

Latest from families

Community7 reports

Phone list / PIN · 2 days

1w ago

First visit · 10 days

3w ago

First call · Same day

3w ago

Notes that might name someone are read by a person before they show. Numbers, links and abuse are turned away. The waits stay up either way. How we check

Read all 7 family reports

7 in their own words · filter by phones, visits, money

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Christmas at Bedford

prisoncheck
  1. Monday 30 November: Get on their visitor list

    in 31 days

    It can take up to 2 weeks, then book.

  2. Monday 21 December: Last day to send money

  3. Thursday 24 December: Release if due out 25–28 Dec

All dates

What has Bedford told you about Christmas visits?

Community

One tap, no names. It helps the next family.

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Track your wait. We’ll tell you when most families at Bedford had heard back.

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Question 1 of 3

Community

How long did the PIN / phone list take?

One tap, no names. It helps the next family.

Days
Weeks

Someone to talk to

Official
Free helpline0808 808 2003Prisoners’ Families Helpline. Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm, weekends 10am to 3pm.

Phones

Official
Getting onThey add your number to their phone list. You cannot ring in.What calls cost5.5p a minute to a mobile, 2.48p to a landlineEmailEmail a Prisoner
eMates is not working as usualEstate-wide eMates update · 29 September 2026

Visits

Official
Before you bookThey add you to their visitor list first. That can take up to 2 weeks.
Book0345 646 2277, 0345 646 2277Visiting timesWed–Thu and Sat–Sun, afternoonsVideo callsPrison Video
IDBring photo ID that has not expired

Money and parcels

Official
Send moneyOnline on GOV.UK. Free, and the only way
What you needTheir name, date of birth and prisoner number
ParcelsMost things are bought inside, not postedSpendingSet by their incentive level

Release

Official
Release dateOnly the prison can confirm it.
On the dayFamilies usually collect in the morning. No gate time reported here yet.
When do they get out?Getting out of Bedford

About Bedford

Official
How full363 men · 138.5% of the places it was built for (August 2026)
Email

Who to email at Bedford. Official inboxes. Not Email a Prisoner.

GOV.UK · Last checked: 21 September 2026

Questions families ask about Bedford

Someone has just gone to Bedford. What happens first?

Reception often allows a short first-night call. After that, they add your number to their PIN phone list, and you go on their visitor list before you can book a visit.

Someone has just gone to prison
How long does the PIN take at Bedford?

There is no firm figure for Bedford yet. Families at similar prisons in East of England say about 6 days. 3 families at Bedford said 2 days.

The PIN wait at Bedford
How long until the first call from Bedford?

There is no firm figure for Bedford yet. Families at similar prisons in East of England say about 1 day. 2 families at Bedford said Same day.

The first call from Bedford
How long until the first visit at Bedford?

There is no firm figure for Bedford yet. Families at similar prisons in East of England say about 10 days. 2 families at Bedford said 1–3 weeks.

The first visit at Bedford
When can I visit Bedford?

Visiting is on Wed–Thu and Sat–Sun, afternoons. They add you to their visitor list first, which can take up to 2 weeks. Then book on 0345 646 2277. Bring photo ID that has not expired.

Visiting times at Bedford
How much do calls from Bedford cost?

They pay 5.5p a minute to call a mobile and 2.48p to a landline on weekdays. Calls come out of their phone credit, not yours.

Call costs at Bedford
How do I send money to someone in Bedford?

Online with GOV.UK’s Send money to someone in prison. It is free and the only way. You need their name, date of birth and prisoner number.

Money at Bedford
What time are people released from Bedford?

Families usually collect in the morning. No gate time reported here yet. Only the prison can confirm the date.

When do they get out?