The following forms of photo identification are acceptable:

• Passport (maximum one year out of date)
• Valid Photo Driving Licence- photo bearing
• Senior Citizens public transport pass- Photo bearing (Freedom pass) (not Oyster card)
• Annual public transport season ticket- Photo Bearing (must be in date)
• Employers ID Card which must show; name of visitor, employers name, photograph of bearer
• European ID card- photo bearing
• Student ID Card which must show; name of visitor, Education establishment, photograph of bearer (must be in date)

Acceptable forms for proof of address:

• Bill/bank statement with address that matches visitors details (dated within 3 Months)
• Old style driving licence (paper copy)

Acceptable forms of ID for children under the age of 18 years old:

• Passport (maximum one year out of date)
• Valid Photo Driving Licence- photo bearing
• Senior Citizens public transport pass- Photo bearing (Freedom pass)
• Annual public transport season ticket- Photo Bearing (must be in date)
• Employers ID Card which must show; name of visitor, employers name, photograph of bearer
• European ID card- photo bearing
• Student ID Card which must show; name of visitor, Education establishment, photograph of bearer (must be in date)
• Bill/bank statement with address that matches visitors details (dated within 3 Months)
• Old style driving licence (paper copy)
• Babies Red book (valid for children under 5 years old
• Birth Certificate
• Young person's proof of age card (Zip oyster cards accepted)
• Passport

Can children visit?

Children under the age of 18 can only visit if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. If the adult accompanying the child is not the parent, they must produce paperwork to prove guardianship.

The parent or legal guardian must produce the child’s birth certificate as proof of identity.

Children must remain under visitor supervision at all times.

Can ex-prisoners visit?

Ex-prisoners can visit subject to security clearance. This will be carried out as part of their registration process.

Can an offender with a tagging licence visit?

Any offender with tagging licence conditions must write into the Director requesting permission to visit. This will be considered and a formal written response will be send to the offender clarifying the decision. If cleared to visit the offender must be in possession of the licence on arrival. The conditions will be assessed prior to entry to ensure the offender is not in breach of conditions by entering the Establishment. If the offender is not in possession of the licence they will not be granted access to visit until the conditions have been seen.

As a condition on entry to the prison, Visitors must consent to be searched and, where applicable, to deposit property. All visitors will then be directed to the Visitors Entrance at the Gatehouse. Trained members of staff will be authorised to conduct a metal detector scan or rub down searches of a visitor with consent. All visitors will be rub down level A searched. This will require the removal of outer jackets, shoes, Belts which will be put through the x-ray portal. Having been searched they will then proceed to the Visits Waiting Area. 

All visitors will be searched, including children.

Security measures could include:

• Drug dog search

• Rub down search

• X-ray portal search

• Handheld metal detector

All visitors will have their finger scanned along with a photograph taken.

All visits areas are covered by CCTV and staff wear body worn video cameras. All footage is recorded, stored and retained in accordance with the Data Protection Act.

• No see through and revealing clothing or crop tops which reveal the stomach.

• No tight fitted clothing such as gymwear, jumpsuits and playsuits.

• Women must ensure their top garment covers their cleavage.

• No ripped or damaged clothing that shows skin e.g. ripped jeans, coats, tops. No tears or frays in material.

• Skirts, dresses, and shorts MUST be knee length.

• No clothing bearing slogans that are deemed to be racist, insulting, or derogatory.

• No uniforms, (except children in school uniform and police officers on a legal visit).

• No watches.

• Jewellery is best kept to a minimum (earrings to be studs / small hoops only)

• No knee length boots or over the knee. No stiletto heels.

• No football and rugby slogan clothing.

• No caps or durags (religious headgear is permitted e.g. headscarves) unless for medical reasons.

• No sunglasses. (Prescription only.)

• No work boots/ steel toe capped or motorcycle boots

• No cardigans 

• No outdoor jackets or hoodies

• Leggings must not be see through and have a top on long enough to cover front and back over your posterior.

• No ponchos or capes

• Only one pair of shorts or trousers to be worn

• Only one top to be worn at a time

• Bra’s must be worn and covered by clothing (unless you have a medical note to state otherwise).

• Knickers and briefs must be worn and covered by clothing.

• No sleeveless or vest tops, and sleeves must cover shoulders.

• No halter neck or backless tops

• No body warmers

• No blazers (only legal officials can for legal visits)

• No full zip tops at all

Your cooperation is greatly appreciated in this matter. Failure to adhere to the policy may result in admittance being refused.

Our staff pride themselves in taking a non bias approach.

• Drugs of any Kind
• Mobile Phones
• Food and/or Drink
• Weapons
• Sunglasses
• Metal Hair Slides
• Lighters/Matches
• Bluetac
• Push Chairs
• Watches
• Nappies and/or Wipes
• Chewing Gum
• Electrical/Electronic Items
• Bags of Any Kind
• Cigarettes
• Any Tools
• Badges/Pins
• Hats/Gloves/Scarfs
• Photographs
• Liquids of Any Kind
• £20 Notes (Maximum of £20.00 is allowed in to the Visits Hall)

Note: Baby milk is only permitted for children under 1 years.

This is by no means a complete list and is reviewed regularly. You may be refused a visit if staff deem an item to fall into one or more of these catagories.

Conveyance of Prohibited Items and Other Related Offences

Amendments to the Prison Act came into force in April 2008 which make it a criminal offence for certain items to be used, brought into or taken out of prisons. It is a criminal offence for any person without authority:

i. to bring or throw any of the following items in or out of a prison or to cause another person to do so, to leave any of the following items in any place (in or out of the prison) intending it to come into the possession of a prisoner or to give to a prisoner any of the following items:

• A controlled drug, an explosive a firearm or other offensive weapon.
  Maximum penalty is 10 years imprisonment or an unlimited fine or both.
   
• Alcohol, a mobile telephone, a camera or a sound-recording device including watch with recording and camera facilities.
  Maximum penalty is 2 years imprisonment or an unlimited fine or both.
   
• Tobacco, money, clothing, food, drink, letters, papers, books, tools, IT equipment and associated peripherals. 
  Maximum penalty is a £1000 fine.
   
• It is an offence to take a photograph or make a sound recording within a prison or convey an official document or photograph or personal file in or out of a prison, or transmit any image, sound or information electronically from within a prison for simultaneous reception outside a prison.
  Maximum penalty is 2 years imprisonment or an unlimited fine or both.

Criminal prosecutions will be pursued against those found to be in deliberate breach of the above provisions. Criminal prosecutions will be pursued against those found to be in breach of the above Prison Act 2008 provisions.

New Psychoactive Substances:

Many of these substances are not legal and anyone found in possession or observed passing these substances will be subject to Criminal Prosecutions being pursued.

Visitors cannot give money to a prisoner during visits but they can send money to a prisoner’s account.

To make a secure payment for a prisoner at HMP Thameside, please browse to the below website:

https://www.gov.uk/send-prisoner-money

To make a payment, you will need to know the Prisoner/NOMs number and Date of Birth for the prisoner.

Any payments made will be processed throughout office hours (09:00 - 17:00, Monday - Friday). If you have any concerns regarding your payment, please visit their help page.

HMP Thameside staff can not divulge the Prisoner/NOMs number. Please contact the prisoner or associated solicitor for this information.

All property must be handed into the visitor centre within 30 days of the prisoner arriving at HMP Thameside.

Property hand ins are:

• Monday-Friday 13:00-14:30 with a booked visit. Authorisation must be given to the prisoner first via the visit application system.

• Saturday 10:00-11:00 exceptional circumstances with a booked visit. Authorisation must be given to the prisoner first via the visit application system.

• Sunday- Closed 

Property allowance:

• 10 T-shirts/ vests (No hoods, offensive slogans, sport team affiliated tops, no camouflaged, no plain white collar)

• 2 Jumpers (No hoods, offensive slogans, sport team affiliated tops, no black/navy, no camouflaged)

• 1 Jacket/Coat (No hoods, leather, quilted or doubled line, must not be black/navy, no camouflaged)

• 10 Boxers/Socks (for each item)

• 4 Trousers/Jogging Bottoms (no black/camouflaged)

• 3 Shoes/Trainers (no buckles, steel toe caps or boots)

• 1 Belt with Standard Buckle only

• 1 Pair of Flip-flops/slippers

• 2 Sets of Pyjamas (no black/navy)

• 1 Suit for Court (Shirt, tie, blazer, trousers, smart shoes.)

• Reading glasses/Case

• Books (although the prisoner will only be allowed up to 10 at a time)

This is by no means a complete list and is reviewed regularly. One of more of your items may be refused if staff deem it to fall into one or more forbidden catagories.