When can I visit Five Wells?
Booking, ID, first-visit waits, what to take, video calls, local rules, and how visiting actually works.
A few more and this prison gets its own figure.
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Official facts for this prison
Uses Purple Visits
Source: Prisoners’ Families Helpline · Which prisons use Purple Visits · Last checked: September 2026
IMB: 18 applications about letters, visits and phones (2025–26)
Source: IMB annual report, HMP Five Wells, 2025–26 · Last checked: September 2026
Visiting someone in prison
- You must be on the prisoner’s visitor list before you can book.
- Getting on the visitor list can take up to 2 weeks. At least one visitor must be 18 or over.
- Bring acceptable photo ID. Expired ID is not accepted.
- If you get certain benefits you may be able to claim help with travel, overnight stay and meals.
- Each prison sets its own visiting times and local rules.
- You can email using Email a Prisoner (Unilink). Staff print the email and give it to them.
- Secure video calls use Prison Video or Purple Visits. Which app depends on the prison — check that prison’s GOV.UK page.
What families reported
“First visit after about 6 days.”
First visit · 6 days · 1w ago
“First visit after about 2 days.”
First visit · 2 days · 1w ago
“First visit after about 6 days.”
First visit · 6 days · 1mo ago
“The staff are really friendly and helpful. I always do an evening visit (17:30) and after my first visit (getting registered), I now arrive by 16:45 and that's plenty of time. You don't have to be there hours and hours before. You take your ID in with you to the visit, money in a clear bag (you can buy a wallet there), your locker key bracelet and hot food order.”
Visit rules · 1mo ago
“Very relaxed. You need to take 1 form of photo ID & 2 proof of address on your first visit. You will do finger prints and pics etc. I took my driving license, passport and a bank statement (which I showed on my phone). Would highly recommend downloading the statement before you arrive as there's signal blockers on the building so it's impossible to use anything on your phone! Coins and notes accepted, great choice of food including hot food!”
Visit rules · 1mo ago
What to do next
What this actually means
Nobody can book a visit until the prisoner has added you to their visitor list. That list is a security process, not a reception desk favour.
First visits are often slower than later ones. Once you are approved, booking is usually the constraint — not the relationship.
Dress codes and ID rules are local and strictly applied. Read the prison’s own page the night before. Do not improvise.
Video calls are a visit, not a PIN phone. The Official page names Prison Video or Purple Visits. We only show an app when that prison’s GOV.UK page names it.
How visits actually workQuestions families ask
- One family has reported this at HMP Five Wells (6 days). Not enough reports yet for a typical wait. 3 family reports. Last report 21 October 2026. Reports agree. Official: Uses Purple Visits. You must be on their visitor list before you can book. IMB: 18 applications about letters, visits and phones, 2025–26. What people inside asked the board.
- First visits are often slower than later ones. The range above is what families typed in — not the booking diary.
- Photo ID, the Official dress list, and time to get through security. Open the first visit checklist for HMP Five Wells. Lockers usually need change. The visitor-list wait is a separate clock.
- Check Can I wear this? for hoodies, jeans, and trainers against the Official list where we have one. Staff can still refuse on the day.
- Open visiting times for HMP Five Wells. Each prison sets its own hours.
- Use Email a Prisoner (Unilink). Staff print it and give it to them. How long that then takes is what families report.