When can I visit Portland?
Booking, ID, first-visit waits, what to take, video calls, local rules, and how visiting actually works.
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Send on WhatsAppWhat the prison says
Official facts for this prison
| Day | PM |
|---|---|
| Fri | 2–4 |
| Sat | 2–4 |
| Sun | 2–4 |
Source: GOV.UK · Last checked: 2025-09-18
Family services: PACT
Source: GOV.UK · Last checked: 2025-09-18
Uses Prison Video
Source: GOV.UK · Portland Prison · Secure video calls · Last checked: September 2026
IMB: 8 applications about letters, visits and phones (2024–25)
Source: IMB annual report, HMP/YOI Portland, 2024–25 · Last checked: December 2025
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 6 days.”
First visit · 6 days · 1w ago
“First visit took around 10 days.”
First visit · 10 days · 1w ago
“First visit after about 2 days.”
First visit · 2 days · 2w ago
“First visit took around 10 days.”
First visit · 10 days · 3w ago
“First visit took around 17 days.”
First visit · 2–3 weeks · 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
- Families at HMP/YOI Portland report 8 days. 6 family reports. Last report 21 October 2026. Reports agree. Official: Fri–Sun · PM. You must be on their visitor list before you can book. IMB: 8 applications about letters, visits and phones, 2024–25. 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/YOI Portland. 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.
- Fri–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.