United Kingdom
Frequently asked questions about prisons and jails in the United Kingdom
Answers based on real directory data about the prisons, jails and detention centers in the United Kingdom: how many there are, who runs them, how to find them and how to get in touch.
How many prisons and detention centers are there in the United Kingdom?
The directory lists 171 facilities in the United Kingdom, spread across 5 regions and 128 localities. The regions with the most facilities are England, Scotland, Wales. By type: Prisons and penitentiaries (151), Juvenile detention centers (9), Immigration detention (5), Local and county jails (5), Military prisons (1). These are the facilities mapped as such in OpenStreetMap, so the figure may not include every real facility.
Who runs the prisons in the United Kingdom?
In the United Kingdom, prisons are run by HM Prison and Probation Service (England and Wales), the Scottish Prison Service and the Northern Ireland Prison Service. The profiles for the United Kingdom name these responsible bodies: His Majesty's Prison Service (22), Scottish Prison Service (7), Serco (2), HM Prison & Probation Service (2), HM Prison and Probation Service (2). This comes from the open source and is only shown when it exists.
How do I find a prison by town in the United Kingdom?
Choose the region or state first, then the municipality, and open the facility profile. For example, England has 141 facilities; within that region, Greater London has 10 facilities. If you already know the name of the facility, use the search box on the home page.
What types of correctional facilities are there in the United Kingdom?
In the United Kingdom the directory distinguishes these categories: Prisons and penitentiaries (151), Juvenile detention centers (9), Immigration detention (5), Local and county jails (5), Military prisons (1). Each type has its own regime, and who may visit and which procedures apply also vary.
How do I contact or visit a correctional facility in the United Kingdom?
The directory lists 171 facilities in the United Kingdom. Of these, 13 show a phone number, 38 an official website, 3 an email address and 1 visiting hours. Visiting hours and requirements are set by each prison administration and change often: always confirm them by phone or on the official website before you travel.
What are the largest prisons in the United Kingdom?
Only 5 profiles in the United Kingdom state a capacity. Those with the largest recorded capacity are: HMP Liverpool (1,370 places), HMP/YOI Bristol (614 places), HM Prison Sudbury (581 places).
Is the prison data for the United Kingdom official and reliable?
It is not official: it comes from OpenStreetMap, an open collaborative project, and nothing is invented or estimated. For 171 facilities in the United Kingdom, the profiles include: Address 99%, Operator / administration 29%, Website 22%, Phone 8%, Capacity 3%. Whatever is missing simply does not appear. If you manage a facility, you can request a free correction.