HMP & YOI Lewes

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2025

30th July : Legal and professional visits booking details updated– Learn More

8th July: Latest IMB report published – Learn More 

2nd January: see ‘Visiting Information’ below for updated Early Days visits, and ‘Dress Code’ for banned clothing brands

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2024

18th December: Professional and virtual visits updated – see ‘Visiting Information’ below

14th May: Prison Inspection report published – Learn More

4th April: inquest highlights ‘failures in communication’– Learn More

27th March: Inmates in hospital with suspected food poisoning – Learn More

2025

Description of the establishment

Category B or lower/ Young Offenders suitable for closed conditions or lower (not Restricted Status)

HMP Lewes is a reception and resettlement category B local prison for adult and young adult prisoners. It mostly serves the courts of East and West Sussex and holds sentenced and unsentenced prisoners, prisoners on remand and young adults (age 18 to 21) in categories B and C. It also takes some category D prisoners returned from open conditions and holds people whose prison sentences have been completed but are detained under Home Office powers prior to deportation. 

The prison’s operational capacity (maximum accommodated without risk of disruption due to overcrowding) at the end of January 2025 was 6201: at that time, the prison held 581 prisoners: twelve months earlier, it was holding 554 prisoners. 

The prison is located in the East Sussex county town of Lewes. Its main buildings, with five residential wings, were completed in 1853. A modern block, with two residential wings, opened in 2008. There are seven residential wings in total, plus a healthcare wing and a care and separation unit used to segregate prisoners. Details of the accommodation are as follows: 

• A wing: a general wing for drug recovery, housing up to 125 prisoners. 
• B wing: the care and separation unit (CSU) for segregating prisoners, with 16 cells, including two where a prisoner can be kept under constant supervision by a member of staff to reduce the risk of suicide or self-harm, and two special accommodation cells where items such as furniture, bedding and sanitation are removed in the interests of prisoner safety. 
• C wing: a general wing, housing up to 150 prisoners. 
• F wing: for vulnerable prisoners, housing up to 147 prisoners; also used to house a small number of newly arrived prisoners when the early days centre (L wing) is full. 
• G wing: for prisoners on enhanced status (the top level of the prison’s incentives scheme to reward good behaviour through increased privileges), housing up to 23. This became an incentivised drug free living unit as the IMB’s reporting period closed. 
• K wing: a designated neurodiverse unit (NDU) housing up to 22 prisoners. 
• L wing: the early days centre for newly arrived prisoners, with single cells housing up to 80 prisoners. 
• M wing: a general wing of single cells housing up to 94 prisoners. 
• Acute inpatient care unit in the healthcare centre (HCC) for up to nine prisoners. 

There is a large, well-equipped gym and a second sports hall for prisoner use, as well as a multi-faith centre and various workshops. 

The main providers of services to the prison were: Serco (transport to courts and local prisons); Gov Facility Services Ltd/GFSL (facilities’ management in prisons across southern England); DHL (ordering and delivering prisoners’ purchases); Bidfood (kitchen supplies); East Sussex County Council (library services and social care); Milton Keynes College (for education); HM Prison and Probation Service; Southdown Housing; Jobcentre Plus; Pact (Prison Advice and Care Trust), providing family support services. 

There are three contracted providers of health and social care: 

• Practice Plus Group (PPG) is the main provider, contracted via NHS commissioners to deliver primary care, including GP services and health screening, inpatient care, substance misuse, mental health, pharmacy and crisis response services. Subcontractors provide dentistry, optician, podiatry and physiotherapy services. 
• East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, in partnership with PPG, provides sexual health clinics and screening programmes, such as those for abdominal aortic aneurysm, bowel cancer and diabetic retinopathy. 
• Agincare (contracted through East Sussex County Council social care services) is responsible for social care. 

A number of voluntary and other organisations provide services. These include: 

• Samaritans 
• SSAFA (the armed forces charity) 
• National Association of Official Prison Visitors 
• Prison Family Support (local charity that works to reduce the impact imprisonment has on children of offenders in custody at HMP Lewes) 
• Sussex Pathways (charity that works in prisons and communities to help reduce offending behaviour) 
• Prison Fellowship (Christian-based charity supporting prisoners) 
• Advocacy People (charity that supports prisoners with healthcare complaints) 
• LOSRAS (Lewes Organisation in Support of Refugees and Asylum Seekers) 
• Shannon Trust (national charity that works to train and inspire prisoners who can read to teach those that can’t) 
• Change Grow Live (CGL) (a charity that helps people change the direction of their lives, grow as individuals, and live life to its full potential) 
• Reconnect (care after custody service that seeks to improve continuity of care for people with an identified health need) 
• Interventions Alliance (supports people to overcome barriers and foster personal wellbeing) 
• Stone Pillow (homeless charity) 
• ADDER (addiction, diversion, disruption, enforcement and recovery) 
• AfEO (accommodation for ex-offenders). 
• CXK, an organisation contracted by HMPPS to give careers advice and prepare learning plans. 

Visiting information –  2025

Book and plan your visit to Lewes

To visit someone in Lewes you must:

• be on that person’s visitor list
• book your visit at least 24 hours in advance
• have the required ID with you when you go

At least one visitor must be 18 or older at every visit.

There may be a limit to the number of visits a prisoner can have. You can check this with Lewes.

Contact Lewes if you have more questions about visiting.

Help with the cost of your visit

If you get certain benefits or have an NHS health certificate, you might be able to get help with the costs of your visit, including:

• travel to Lewes
• somewhere to stay overnight
• meals

How to book family and friends visits

You can book your visit online.

You must arrive at least 45 minutes before your visit to allow for security and processing.

HMP Lewes is able to offer social and professional visits for those with mobility concerns, please email SocialVisits.Lewes@justice.gov.uk, if you require support with your visit due to mobility concerns. If you require to change any information on your online booking please contact SocialVisits.Lewes@justice.gov.uk with your requests.

Visiting times

• Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday: 2pm to 3:30pm

How to book legal and professional visits

All face-to-face official visits must be booked via email: legalvisits.lewes@justice.gov.uk

All official video links must be booked via Videolink.lewes@justice.gov.uk

(Video links cannot be booked over the phone.)

Visiting times:

• Monday, 2pm to 4pm
• Tuesday, 2pm to 4pm
• Wednesday, 9am to 11:30am
• Thursday, 2pm to 4pm
• Friday, 9am to 11:30am
• Saturday, 2pm to 4pm
• Sunday, 9am to 11:30am, 2pm to 4pm

How to Book Early Days Visits – January 2025

Anybody who is newly convicted (Not on recall or remand) can have an early day visit subject to availability. They are first come, first serve. This will take place within 72 hours and will be available for up to 3 visitors only above the age of 18.

Visitors can request to book these by emailing SocialVisits.Lewes@justice.gov.uk.

There is also limited availability to use Prison video app for those that can not visit in person.

Visiting times:

• Wednesday, Friday and Sunday: 9am to 11:30am

Getting to Lewes

The closest railway station is Lewes. You can get a 5 minute taxi ride to the prison or it’s a 25 minute walk.

To plan your journey by public transport:

• use National Rail Enquiries
• use Traveline for local bus times

Only Blue Badge holders can park at the prison. There are 2 spaces next to the visitors centre. Tell the prison staff you are parking here, show them your Blue Badge and give them your vehicle registration number. Visitors centre staff can help you with this.

There is metered parking on the roads outside the prison.

Entering Lewes

prison. Read the list of acceptable forms of ID when visiting a prison.

• All visitors go through our EGS (Enhanced Gate Security) this process is similar to airport security. (bag x-ray and metal portals) all visitors can be subject to a pat-down search, including children
• You may also be sniffed by security dogs
• Visitors must adhere to the prison dress code that applies when entering Lewes, please see dress code below
• There are strict controls on what you can take into Lewes. You will have to leave all the things you have with you in a locker, apart from items required for infants and medication is subject the individual concerned and to our security processes. Lewes is cash only and each adult visitor can take up to £25 in £10, £5 or coins. (No £20 notes) each, to spend on hot and cold refreshments throughout the duration of your visit
• When visiting your partner, family member or friend, there is an expectation that you will remain polite and respectful to all other visitors and all staff. HMP Lewes has the right to deny entry or terminate a visit if a visitor is offensive or aggressive towards any other visitor, prisoner, or member of staff

Dress code

The following items of clothing will not be allowed to enter HMP Lewes:

• Steel toe-capped boots or shoes with exposed metal parts, Cycle or Motorcycle shoes or boots
• Gloves, Hats, scarves or any headgear that is not worn on religious grounds. (Baby’s bonnets are acceptable but must be removed by parent for searching)
• Sunglasses (unless prescription glasses)
• Smart watches of any kind, including fitness trackers
• Any item of clothing that has offensive, racial or sexist logos, words or pictures
• No clothing made by Hoodrich, Criminal Damage, AYEgear
• Excessively revealing, i.e. very short skirts/dresses including shorts, see through tops, crop tops and strapless tops, unitard jumpsuit/ tight jumpsuit
• Visible or exposed underwear of any kind (With exception of brassier straps in the shoulder area)
• Ripped clothing for the torso
• Ripped jeans above the knee will not be allowed
• Excessively large metal hair accessories
• Helmets of any kind (Except medical issue)

Clothing cannot be removed during the visits session and visitors are to make sure they are comfortably dressed before they enter the visitor searching area.

This list is not exhaustive. All enquiries should be directed in the first instance to the staff in the Visits booking or Visits Senior officer.

Visiting facilities

PACT runs the visitors centre with toys and art materials and a small play area for children. Refreshments will be available to purchase during your visit.

If you have a disability, let the prison know and they will make sure your visit is on the lower level.

Family visits

HMP Lewes have introduced a new approach to Family Visits which were previously known as Family Days.

Each day will be split into two sessions, one held in the morning, and one held in the afternoon. Although the Family Visits will be shorter (3 hours per session) having two sessions will support more prisoners having the opportunity to apply for these events and spending time with loved ones.

• All visitors must be on the prisoners approved visitors list
• Children are considered an adult from their 18th birthday
• Applications are submitted by the prisoners and considered by the Family Visits Committee
• Applications are considered individually, taking into account a number of points including, the available space within the Visits Hall
• HMP Lewes is governed by the Health and Safety regulations in relations to the overall number of people permitted in the Visits Hall at any one time
• This overall figure will also include Staff and PACT
• Session times will be from 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 5pm
• The new model permits up to 20 prisoners and their families to take part in the event on each session
• Activities for children will be available
• Light refreshments will also be provided by PACT, and the Snack Shop will also be open as usual where your families can purchase light refreshments

Keep in touch with someone at Lewes

There are several ways you can keep in touch with someone during their time at Lewes.

Secure video calls

To have a secure video call with someone in this prison you need to:

• Download the Prison Video app
• Create an account
• Register all visitors
• Add the prisoner to your contact list.

How to book a secure video call

You can request a secure video call with someone in this prison via the Prison Video app.

You will receive a notification when your request has been accepted.

Read more about how it works

Phone calls

Prisoners have phones in their cells but they will always have to call you. They buy phone credits to do this and can call anytime between 6am and midnight.

They can phone anyone named on their list of friends and family. This list is checked by security when they first arrive so it may take a few days before they are able to call.

You can also exchange voicemails using the Prison Voicemail service.

Officers may listen to phone calls as a way of preventing crime and helping keep people safe.

Email

You can send emails to someone in Lewes using the Email a Prisoner service.

Letters

You can write at any time.

Include the person’s name and prisoner number on the envelope. If you do not know their prisoner number, contact Lewes.

All post apart from legal letters will be opened and checked by officers.

Each week, prisoners can send 2 second class letters and one first class legal letter.

Send money and gifts

You can use the free and fast online service to send money to someone in prison.

You can no longer send money by bank transfer, cheque, postal order or send cash by post.

If you cannot use the online service, you may be able to apply for an exemption – for example if you:

• are unable to use a computer, a smart phone or the internet
• do not have a debit card

This will allow you to send money by post.

Gifts and parcels

You are currently not permitted to bring any items into the HMP Lewes for the person you are visiting.

Our processes here at Lewes enable all prisoners to apply for items to be sent in, items that are appropriate to their IEP Level and current status; remanded or convicted.

Process

To have Items sent in, prisoners are required to submit an application to the Reception Team, outlining what they are requesting to have sent in.

The Reception Team will review the applications and will either approve or reject it. The application will then be return to the prisoner on his wing.

If the application is approved, it will be returned to the prisoner and a copy sent to the Gate Lodge ‘the entrance into HMP Lewes’. Only once the prisoner receives an approved application, should they ask the person family member or friend, to send them the items. Please note that when sending a parcel into HMP Lewes, you are required record your (the sender) name and return address on the outside of the packing. You are also required to clearly list all the items that are within the parcel, also on the outside of the parcel.

However, all books can be sent directly to the prisoner without the prisoner having to submit an application. This includes books purchased form one of the ‘Approved Retailers’, but senders are advised to clearly identify the contents as ‘Books’ with their name and return address on the outside of the parcel.

Approved Retailers

• Blackwell
• Foyles Waterstones
• Mr B’s Emporium of reading delights
• Wordery
• H Smiths
• Housman’s
• Incentive plus
• Prisons Org UK

Any book purchased form a retailer not on the approved retailers list, must not be sent directly to the prisoner at HMP Lewes. These books must be sent directly to the family member/friend, who will then need to send the books to the prisoner as described above.

Prisoner are permitted to apply for items to be sent in during their first 28 days at HMP Lewes. Thereafter all prisoners may ask for further items to be sent in once every 12 months, or when they have been awarded Enhanced IEP (Incentives and Earned Privileges)

A full list of approved retailers can be found on – HMPPS Incentives Policy, Annex F.

HMP Lewes’s ‘facilities list’ tells you what is allowed in parcels and is available in the visitors centre.

All parcels will be x-rayed, checked by search dogs and tested for illicit drugs before handed over to the intended recipient.

Parcels or items within the parcel containing or contaminating, illicit items, will seized and handed to the police for further action.

Life at Lewes

Lewes is committed to providing a safe and educational environment where prisoners can learn new skills to help them on release.

Security and safeguarding

Every prisoner at Lewes has a right to feel safe. The staff are responsible for their safeguarding and welfare at all times.

For further information about what to do when you are worried or concerned about someone in prison visit the Prisoners’ Families helpline website.

Arrival and first night

When someone first arrives at Lewes, they will be able to contact a family member by phone. This could be quite late in the evening, depending on the time they arrive, and they are only allowed 2 minutes.

They will get to speak to someone who will check how they’re feeling and ask about any immediate health and wellbeing needs.

Induction

Each prisoner who arrives at Lewes gets an induction that lasts about a week. They will meet professionals who will help them with:

• health and wellbeing, including mental and sexual health
• any substance misuse issues, including drugs and alcohol
• personal development in custody and on release, including skills, education and training
• other support (sometimes called ‘interventions’), such as managing difficult emotions

Everyone also finds out about the rules, fire safety, and how things like calls and visits work.

Accommodation

Lewes holds 692 prisoners in a mixture of single and double cells.

Facilities include a gym, library, a healthcare unit, an onsite pharmacy and a multi-faith centre.

Education and work

Lewes provides a range of work, education and training facilities including IT, kitchen work, painting and decorating, barista work, food safety and preparation, waste management, horticulture, first aid and sports leadership.

A physical education programme is offered, as well as weekly library sessions and there are courses to reduce the risk of re-offending.

Temporary release

Applications for release on temporary licence (ROTL) can be submitted and are individually assessed.

Organisations Lewes works with

Lewes works with the Samaritans to train a team of ‘Listeners’ who are then available day and night for those who need additional support.

It also works with The Forward Trust, which offers help around substance misuse and delivers a number of ‘family ties workshops’. This is in partnership with Care UK and can offer detoxification, if necessary.

Lewes also works with Storybook Dads which helps dads create a bedtime story CD or DVD for their children.

Support for family and friends

Find out about advice and helplines for family and friends.

Support at Lewes

PACT delivers family services at Lewes, offering support and advice. It works alongside Sussex Prisoners’ Families, a community organisation which provides peer support and help in court.

Concerns, problems and complaints

In an emergency

Call 01273 785100 if you think a prisoner is at immediate risk of harm. Ask for the Orderly Officer and explain that your concern is an emergency.

Contact category	Phone number	Additional information
Non-emergency	01273 785392	Call this number if you have concerns about a prisoner’s safety or wellbeing which are serious but not life-threatening or complete a safer custody contact form on the Prisoners’ Families Helpline website.
Staff Integrity Hotline	0800 917 6877 (24 hours answering machine)	This number can be called anonymously. If you are concerned about a prisoner being bullied by a member of staff, you can use this number. As this line is managed separately from the prison, you can call this number anonymously.
Prisoners’ Families Helpline	0808 808 2003	The Prisoners’ Families Helpline can provide confidential support, advice and guidance.
Unwanted Prisoner Contact	0300 060 6699	If a prisoner is contacting you and you want them to stop, you can use the Unwanted Prisoner Contact Service.   You can complete the Stop prisoner contact online form, email unwantedprisonercontact@justice.gov.uk or contact by phone.

Problems and complaints

If you have any other problem contact Lewes.

Inspection reports

HM Prison and Probation Service publishes action plans for Lewes in response to independent inspections.

Telephone: 01273 785 100
Monday to Friday, 7am to 8pm and weekends, 7am to 5pm
There is a 24 hour redirect service outside these hours
Fax: 01273 785 101

Email: Correspondence.Lewes@justice.gov.uk

Address

HMP/YOI Lewes

1 Brighton Road

Lewes

East Sussex

BN7 1EA