forest bank prison visit

Cookies on GOV.UK

We use some essential cookies to make this website work.

We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.

We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

• Crime, justice and law
• Prisons and probation

Forest Bank Prison

Forest Bank is a privately run male prison in Pendlebury, Salford.

HMP Forest Bank is now offering visits for family, friends and significant others.

You can also contact the Prisoners’ Families Helpline on 0808 808 2003. You will not be able to book a visit using this number.

It is managed by Sodexo.

For details on when and how to arrange visits, understand how the prison is run and how to get in contact, visit Forest Bank Prison .

Updates to this page

Updated visiting information: Testing for visitors aged 12 and over.

New visiting times and booking information added.

Additional guidance about new COVID-19 variant in the Bolton and Blackburn areas.

Prison moved into National Stage 3 framework and is now preparing to open visits for family, friends and significant others. We will update this page with specific visiting information as soon as possible.

Updated visit info

Updated visiting information in line with new local restriction tiers.

Prisons visits update

First published.

Sign up for emails or print this page

Related content, is this page useful.

• Yes this page is useful
• No this page is not useful

Help us improve GOV.UK

Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.

To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. Please fill in this survey (opens in a new tab) .

Forest Bank Visitors Centre

• Centre Opening and Visiting Times

Booking a Visit

• Children and Play
• Clothing and Property

No comments:

Post a comment.

Thank you for your comment. We will respond as soon as possible.

HMP Forest Bank: An In-Depth Look

HMP Forest Bank, located in Pendlebury, Salford, is a Category B male prison managed by Sodexo Justice Services. Opened in 2000, it serves as a local prison for the Greater Manchester area, accommodating adult males and young adults.

History of HMP Forest Bank

HMP Forest Bank was established under a 25-year private finance initiative (PFI) contract, originally designed to hold 800 prisoners. It was built on the site of the former Agecroft Power Station. Over time, the prison expanded, and by November 2009, an additional 264 places were added, increasing its capacity to 1,460 inmates. This modern prison has a mission to operate a safe, decent, and secure environment while focusing on rehabilitation and reducing reoffending​​​​​​.

Latest News and Developments

HMP Forest Bank has been actively involved in several initiatives aimed at improving prisoner rehabilitation. Notably, it achieved Registered Restorative Organisation status, reflecting its commitment to restorative justice practices. This approach helps to address conflicts and promote a positive environment within the prison​​. Additionally, the prison has partnered with Key4Life, launching programs to aid inmates in their transition back into society​​.

General Information About HMP Forest Bank

HMP Forest Bank operates as a Category B prison, holding a diverse population of adult males and young adults aged 18-21. The prison is designed to accommodate inmates who require a higher level of security but are not deemed maximum security risks. The facility includes a variety of wings, each catering to different needs, such as general population, vulnerable prisoners, and those requiring drug and alcohol treatment​​​​.

Prison Capacity and Accommodation

The prison currently holds around 1,460 inmates. The accommodation is divided into several wings: A1 holds young adults, while other wings like B1, C1, and F2 cater to the general population. There are specialized wings for vulnerable prisoners, such as C2 and H2. The prison also has induction units and recovery wings dedicated to supporting inmates with substance abuse issues​​​​.

Categorisation and Population

HMP Forest Bank primarily houses Category B inmates, including remand and sentenced prisoners. Although classified as a Category B facility, many inmates fall under Category C. The majority of prisoners come from areas such as Wigan, Leigh, Bolton, and Bury​​.

Location and Accessibility

Located at Agecroft Road, Pendlebury, Salford, HMP Forest Bank is easily accessible for visitors and families. The prison emphasizes maintaining strong family ties and provides various visiting options, including Purple Visits, which allow video calls with loved ones​​.

Rehabilitation and Educational Programs

HMP Forest Bank is dedicated to reducing reoffending through a range of educational and vocational training programs. These include workshops in motor mechanics, industrial cleaning, catering, and welding. The prison also offers resettlement support and employment programs to help inmates integrate back into society upon release​

1. What is the current capacity of HMP Forest Bank? HMP Forest Bank has a capacity of 1,460 inmates, including adult males and young adults aged 18-21​​.

2. Where is HMP Forest Bank located? HMP Forest Bank is located on Agecroft Road, Pendlebury, Salford, Greater Manchester​​.

3. What category of prisoners does HMP Forest Bank hold? HMP Forest Bank primarily holds Category B prisoners, but many inmates are classified under Category C​​​​.

4. When was HMP Forest Bank established? HMP Forest Bank was opened in January 2000​​.

5. What kind of rehabilitation programs are available at HMP Forest Bank? The prison offers a variety of educational and vocational training programs, including workshops in motor mechanics, industrial cleaning, catering, and welding​​.

6. How can I visit an inmate at HMP Forest Bank? Visits can be arranged through the prison’s official website. The prison also offers video calling options through Purple Visits​​.

7. Who manages HMP Forest Bank? HMP Forest Bank is managed by Sodexo Justice Services under a private finance initiative (PFI) contract​​.

8. What are the visiting hours at HMP Forest Bank? Visiting hours are between 13:00 – 19:00 from Tuesday to Friday and 12:30 – 16:00 on weekends​​.

9. Are there any notable inmates at HMP Forest Bank? Yes, some notable inmates have included former footballer turned agent Peter Morrison and British businessman Lawrence Jones​​.

10. How does HMP Forest Bank support prisoners’ families? HMP Forest Bank provides a variety of support services for prisoners’ families, including a dedicated Families Team and resources for maintaining contact through visits and calls​​.

Summary and Conclusion

HMP Forest Bank stands as a key institution in the Greater Manchester area, providing secure accommodation and extensive rehabilitation services to its inmates. With its commitment to restorative justice and a variety of vocational programs, HMP Forest Bank aims to reduce reoffending and support inmates in their journey towards reintegration into society.

For more detailed information about HMP Forest Bank, you can visit our other prison pages such as HMP Ford

References:

• HMP Forest Bank on Wikipedia
• HMP Forest Bank Latest News
• DoingTime – Forest Bank
• Prison Phone – HMP Forest Bank
• GOV.UK – Forest Bank Prison

Visit Prison Guide – Forest Bank for additional resources and information.

Unlimited Prison Call Package

Prison Survival Guide

Cat D Prison Tool Kit

Secret Prisoner Book

Login To Your Account

• Click here to login

Quick Links

• All Prison FAQs
• All Prison HOW TO's
• Full UK Prison List
• Cheaper Prison Calls

No products in the basket.

Inside Look: Life and Facilities at Forest Bank Prison

Forest Bank Prison, located in Manchester, UK, is a male private prison opened in 2000, managed by Sodexo Justice Services. It houses category B prisoners and offers a range of educational and training opportunities. Let’s explore the experiences that define life and facilities at Forest Bank Prison.

Living Quarters:

The prison has a mixture of single, double, and dormitory style cells, each equipped with basic facilities such as a bed, storage space and a toilet. The cells are clean, warm, and designed to provide the inmates with privacy and dignity.

Food and Catering:

Forest Bank offers a variety of meals catering to dietary needs, cultural preferences, and religious significance. Inmates can choose their meals from a four-week rotating menu, ensuring a balanced and nutritious diet is available.

Safety and Security:

Sodexo Justice Services implements a robust security protocol within Forest Bank. The prison utilises CCTV, rigorous search procedures, and high perimeter walls. Forest Bank’s safety measures adhere to the standards set by Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service.

Education Provision:

In association with Novus, the prison offers various educational programs including literacy, numeracy, vocational training, and higher education opportunities. Further, the prison encourages participation in artistic endeavours such as music, drama, and art.

Employment Opportunities:

Inmates are afforded the opportunity to work on-site in areas such as kitchen duties, laundry, waste management and other on-site work placements. They also engage with external employers and support groups for post-release employment prospects.

Healthcare:

Forest Bank provides round-the-clock healthcare services. It’s equipped with a 24-hour healthcare centre and offers regular access to a variety of specialists including dentists, opticians, and mental health professionals.

Visiting Hours:

Forest Bank encourages maintaining strong family ties and permits visits. Visits need to be pre-booked and adhere to specific hours. Current visiting hours can be found on the official Forest Bank Prison website.

Social Rehabilitation Programs:

Various rehabilitation programs such as the Thinking Skills Program (TSP) and Resolve Program are available. They focus on enhancing social behaviour, reducing reoffending, and community reintegration.

To sum up, Forest Bank Prison endeavours to provide a safe, respectful and developmental environment for inmates, gearing them towards a positive post-incarceration life. Stay tuned as we further delve into the various aspects of UK’s prison system in our upcoming posts.”

What is the cheapest way to call from Prison?

Is it cheaper to call a landline from prison.

Families can now visit Forest Bank prisoners for first time in four months - despite it remaining 'high risk'

Director matt spencer said the prison will move forward with 'heightened caution'.

• 07:25, 28 JUL 2020

Sign up to the MySalford newsletter to keep up with what's happening in and around the city

We have more newsletters

Forest Bank prison in Salford has announced plans to restart socially distanced family visits.

No visitors have been allowed inside the men's prison since it was put under lockdown on March 23 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

At the peak of the lockdown, prisoners were confined to their cells for 23 hours a day to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

They could contact loved ones through video and phone calls, emails and by letter but now social visits have been reintroduced.

In a statement posted on the HMP Forest Bank website, director Matt Spencer said family visits were restarted on Tuesday, July 21.

He said the prison 'remains a high risk' but visits have now been restarted as bosses move forward with 'heightened caution'.

In full, the statement read: "Tuesday 21 July, saw us re-introduce social visits at HMP Forest Bank.

"We recognise the significant role that social visits play in prisoners’ wellbeing and rehabilitation, however, we move forward with heightened caution, given the risks associated with re-introducing outside visitors into the prison estate and the potential for them to import infection.

"I reiterate that we will move cautiously and introduce changes incrementally.

"While the prison remains a high risk, the timing of changes may not mirror developments in the wider community and progress at HMP Forest bank may not be consistent with other prisons.

"Each establishment will be experiencing different circumstances and will ease restrictions at their own speed, taking full account of their local circumstances. Equally, we will not hesitate to re-impose restrictions in the event of future local outbreaks.

"We will be running four visit sessions each day (Tuesday to Friday). Every resident will be entitled to one (one hour) visit per month with sessions booked internally by the resident on behalf of their visitors.

"Visits will look and feel very different in order to maintain a safe environment for residents and staff and reduce the threat of COVID-19 across the prison."

Visitors must take photo ID when they visit.

More information on prison visits can be found here .

• Forest Bank Prison
• Coronavirus
• Most Recent

HMP & YOI Forest Bank

•    Community News
•    Inspections,
•    Regimes,
•    Visits and getting there,
•    Work and Education
•    Local News  

Key Contact Details

The prison is run by Sodexo Justice Services and is part of the North West prison region, The #1 governor is Jonathan French who has been in charge since January 2022 and the prison has a capacity of 1366.

Share this:

• Skip to Navigation
• Skip to Content

Langue du site

About HMP Forest Bank

HMP Forest Bank opened in 2000, with accommodation provided on six residential units. The establishment opened under a 25-year public finance initiative, contracted to provide 800 places as a Category B Local prison for adult males.

Two further residential units were added in November 2009, gradually increasing the prison’s capacity to 1,160. With additional prisoner places, the operational capacity now stands at 1,460.

Strong links to the local community

As well as 16 residential units on site, there is a healthcare centre, gym, library, industries complex, visits hall, chaplaincy and kitchen. The prison serves the courts of Greater Manchester and maintains strong links to the local community with a focus on resettlement.

HMP Forest Bank holds adult men both on remand or sentenced and young prisoners between the ages of 18-21 years.

HMP Forest Bank Agecroft Road Salford M27 8FB

Tel: 0161 925 7000

Get directions

Details about all prisons across England and Wales are available on the Ministry of Justice website.

Visit MOJ website