How long until the first visit at Dovegate?
Each dot is one family. The darker rows hold the middle half of 5 reports.
Still correct?
Nearest prison with reports
Families at HMP Sudbury have also reported first visit waits.
Ashbourne · 2 miles · 3 reports
First visit at SudburyBefore the first visit
Get on their visitor list
They add you from inside, and the prison checks it. You cannot book until you are on it. This is most of the wait.
Book the visit
On GOV.UK or the prison’s booking line, once you are on their visitor list. At least one visitor must be 18 or over.
Visiting times and bookingBring photo ID, and dress for it
Expired ID is not accepted. Dress codes are enforced at the gate.
Can I wear this?
First visit checklist
What to take tomorrow. Official facts and family reports, labelled.
Open the listWhat families reported
“First visit took around 10 days.”
First visit · 10 days · 3w ago
“First visit took around 10 days.”
First visit · 10 days · 3w ago
“First visit after about 2 days.”
First visit · 2 days · 1mo ago
“First visit after about 3 days.”
First visit · 3 days · 1mo ago
“When I first arrived. Out of all the staff you encounter only 1 was there to explain to me. Was late going into the visit, very slow process. Alot of the staff are rude. Once you have been once it’s a straightforward. Weekday visits are very quiet. Haven’t been on a weekend visit as been advised this Is very busy and waiting to get into the visiting can take anywhere up to a hour to get in and out and then you don’t get your full visit time.”
First visit · Same day · 1mo ago
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A weekly email of what families reported at HMP Dovegate. Straight away if phones go down or there is a lockdown.
Questions families ask
- Families at HMP Dovegate report first visit waits of 3 days. 5 family reports. Last report 5 October 2026. Reports agree. These are community reports, not an HMPPS service level.
- No. Official process sits in a separate card. The range is what families typed in — How long until the first visit?.
- You cannot book until you are on their visitor list. First visits are often slower than later ones. Once you are approved, booking is usually the constraint.
- Families at HMP Dovegate report first visit waits of 3 days. 5 family reports. Last report 5 October 2026. Reports agree. The list is a security process, not a reception desk favour.
- Pick a wait on the same page and submit. It shows on the prison profile immediately. You can also get a weekly email for this prison.