When can I visit Onley?
Booking, ID, first-visit waits, what to take, video calls, local rules, and how visiting actually works.
One family reported 2 days. A few more and this prison gets its own figure.
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Send on WhatsAppWhat the prison says
Official facts for this prison
| Day | PM |
|---|---|
| Tue | 2–4 |
| Thu | 2–4 |
| Fri | 2:30–4 |
| Sat | 2–4 |
| Sun | 2–4 |
Source: GOV.UK · Last checked: 2026-09-09
Visit booking 01788 523 402
Source: GOV.UK · Last checked: 2026-09-09
Booking line opens, Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm
Source: GOV.UK · Last checked: 2026-09-09
Family services: PACT
Source: GOV.UK · Last checked: 2026-09-09
Uses Prison Video
Source: GOV.UK · Onley Prison · Secure video calls · Last checked: September 2026
IMB: 8 applications about letters, visits and phones (2025–26)
Source: IMB annual report, HMP Onley, 2025–26 · Last checked: July 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
At a glance
- Arrive: 30 minutes · 1 family · last 24 Oct
- ID: Photo ID · 1 family · last 24 Oct
“Other jails they get day after, Onley email process seems a lot slower”
Email delivery · 4 days · 5 days ago
“Visit was at 2 started on time, started security checks 1pm. Metal detector, full rub down and dog. If hair is up they asked you to take it down going through security so bare this in mind when going.”
Arrive: 30 minutesID: Photo IDVisit rules · 5 days ago
“Skinny jeans t shirt and cardigan · I got in · 24 Oct 2026 — Quite relaxed in terms of clothing did get told depends on who's on if they turn you away but everyone was fine today and got in.”
Item: Skinny jeans t shirt and cardiganWhat happened: I got inDate: 2026-10-24Visit dress · 5 days ago
“First visit after about 2 days.”
First visit · 2 days · 3w 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 Onley (2 days). Not enough reports yet for a typical wait. 1 family report. Last report 7 October 2026. Official: Tue, Thu–Sun · PM. You must be on their visitor list before you can book. IMB: 8 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 Onley. 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.
- Tue, Thu–Sun · PM. Open visiting times for the booking line and visitor centre.
- Use Email a Prisoner (Unilink). Staff print it and give it to them. How long that then takes is what families report.