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What are the times for legal visits?

Monday to Friday (except Bank Holidays)

  • 9.15am to 11.45am
  • 1.15pm to 4.45pm

Visitors should arrive 30-40 minutes before their visit is due to start. Last entry into visits is 15 minutes after the planned start time, if visitors arrive after this entry will be denied.

Legal visitors booked on a double visit to see a single prisoner will not be allowed to enter if they are late. In the case of multiple prisoners they will only be allowed to see the ones booked at the specific time.

How to book a legal visit?

Call 01302 760870 to register for a legal visit. Legal visits must be booked in advance giving at least 24 hours notice.

All legal visits take place in private interview rooms, furnished with table and chairs. There are a number of private interview rooms available for legal visits at HMP Doncaster. All legal visits are supervised.

It is the responsibility of the interviewer to arrange the services of an interpreter or translator.

Refreshments

A drinking water machine is provided outside the consultation rooms. If legal visitors would like hot drinks and snacks these must be purchased at the time of booking in from vending machines located in the outside Visitors Centre.

What identification do legal visitors require?

Legal visitors will need to bring photographic identification with them every time they visit.

For a first visit, legal visitors must also bring:

  • Letter of introduction on their firm’s letterhead. This must include:
    • Full name of legal visitor
    • Full name of individual being visited
    • Signature of legal visitor’s line manager

Legal visitors who do not bring the correct forms of identification will be unable to go ahead with the visit.

Can legal visitors bring in IT equipment?

PSI 10 2012:

Legal advisers can bring into legal visits IT equipment that is necessary for consultation with their clients and on those cases on which they are engaged with that particular client. This is provided that there is no intention on the part of the legal adviser for the prisoner to retain any part of the equipment or component part or data once the visit is concluded. It is not, therefore, a criminal offence for legal advisers to convey or possess a laptop, or associated computer media (i.e. data sticks, CDs) within a prison for these purposes.

Legal Advisers must not attempt to bring in any other items apart from the single computer and any necessary data media. Any spare SIM cards or other computer items must be left outside the prison. To do otherwise will risk the items being seized by the prison.

For full details please see the PSI here

IT equipment available at the prison for your use includes:

  • 2 televisions with DVD players

Please let us know at the time of booking if you will require access to this equipment for your visit at the time of booking.

Any recording equipment with a built-in memory card must be covered with a SV5 form, this also applies to memory sticks.  The form must be completed, submitted and approved prior to a visit.

Recording equipment that does not include a built-in memory card can be brought into the prison without a SV5.

Does the prison have a video link?

HMP Doncaster Video Link provides a professional service to Crown and Magistrates Courts. This is a real time, two-way transmission by video of images and sound between two or more locations, offering an effective way of conducting hearings.

The link could also be used for any of the following:

  • Bail applications
  • Sentencing
  • Pre-case management hearings
  • Parole hearings
  • Court of Appeal
  • Pre-sentence reports
  • Drug Intervention Programme (DIP) Reports
  • Inter-prison visits (subject to a criteria check)

To book a Video Link conference please contact: 01302 763218