We aim to protect the public by holding those
committed by the courts in a safe, decent and
healthy environment.
HMP WORMWOOD SCRUBS INDUCTION
COMPANION
1
HMP Wormwood Scrubs is situated in West London, next to
Hammersmith Hospital.
The nearest tube station is East Action. It is a 10 minute walk
to the prison from the station. Travelling by bus take the
number 72, 7, 70 or 283
The Prison is situated on Du Cane Road, next to
Hammersmith Hospital.
The prison address is:
HMP WORMWOOD SCRUBS
DU CANE ROAD
LONDON
W12 0AE
Tel: 0208-588-3200
First Night Centre (Day 1)
Meet Insiders
Insiders are prisoners who have been trained to offer
reassurance to new prisoners and provide new prisoners with
key information regarding their first few days in custody.
Urgent Needs Assessment
Issue with non-smoker / smoker pack.
Telephone Call - Your First Visit
New prisoners may receive a reception visit within the first 48
hours, without having to book in advance.
No reception visits are allowed on a Tuesday, Saturday
morning or on a Sunday.
If you come into the prison on a Friday, you will be allowed a
reception visit either on Saturday afternoon or on Monday.
If you come to the prison on a Saturday, you are entitled to a
reception visit on either Monday or Wednesday. Your visitor
will need: your Prison number, photo I.D. (e.g. passport,
drivers licence), two current proof of address (e.g. utility bill,
bank statement). Children under 10 do not need I.D. Children
10 – 16 must bring Birth Certificate.
Up to three adults and three children may visit.
Health screen
2
Day 2
Induction Presentation
Day 3
CIAS (Careers Information and Advice Service)
Telephone PIN (Personal Identification Number)
You will be issued with your own PIN which will allow you to
make outside calls. It is your responsibility to keep this PIN in
a safe place. In order to make calls you must credit your
account with money and register the relevant telephone
numbers to your account.
You will be assessed and given information about education
and employment opportunities.
Visit from the following:
Be aware, that unless you have completed an education
assessment, you will be unable to gain employment whilst in
prison.
Chaplaincy
Bail
LISART (Local Initial Screening and Reducing Reoffending Tool)
CARATS (Counseling Assessment Referral Advise Through care)
CAB (Citizens Advice Bureau)
Job Centre Plus
St Mungo's (Housing Advice)
Day 4
Education Assessment
Moving to a Permanent Wing
When you have completed all the necessary parts of the
Induction programme you will then be moved on to a
permanent residential unit.
Move to B wing
3
Safer Custody
The Governor and staff at HMP Wormwood Scrubs are
committed, through care and understanding, to provide a safe,
humane and positive environment for prisoners. If you feel
depressed, anxious or are generally feeling down, do not
suffer in silence.
You can always talk to a member of staff, or use one of the
services that we offer such as the Samaritans phone, the
Listener scheme or a member of the Chaplaincy. We are here
to help you get through a difficult time whilst in prison.
Violence Reduction
HMP Wormwood Scrubs is committed to providing a secure,
safe and caring environment where prisoners and staff can
live and work together without the fear of violence, threat or
abuse. Violence, in any form, will NOT be accepted, and will
be challenged when and wherever it occurs
We take a ZERO-TOLERANCE approach to bullying; it will
not be tolerated in any form. Bullying is challenged when and
wherever it occurs and all incidents will be investigated and
appropriate action taken and recorded
Whatever you say will be taken seriously. You will be
supported and included in the decision about how to deal with
the problem
Visits
Types of visits: - Reception, Remand, Convicted.
Visiting Times
Monday: 0930 - 1100 (remand prisoners only); 1400 - 1600
remand and convicted (over 18s only)
Wednesday: 09.00 - 1100 (remand prisoners only), 1400 1600 (convicted prisoners only)
Thursday: 09.30 - 1100 (remand and convicted) over 18s
only), 1400 -1600 (convicted prisoners only)
Friday: 0900 - 1100 (remand prisoners only), 1400 - 1600
(remand and convicted prisoners only)
Saturday: 0900 - 1000 (open to all), 1030 - 1130 (open to all),
1400 - 1600 (convicted prisoners only), 1530 -1630 (remand
and convicted prisoners only)
Sunday: 1400 -1500 (remand prisoners only); 1530 - 1630
(remand prisoners only)
The gate will close to Visitors at 10:30am and 3:30pm.
If you feel threatened
Tell staff what is happening to you, in confidence, so that staff
are able to take appropriate action to make you feel safer.
4
Legal visits
Assisted Visits Scheme
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, morning, afternoon
and evening.
There are no legal visits at the weekend, or Friday evenings.
All prisoners are entitled to receive legal visits from their
solicitor or probation officer. There is no limit on how many
legal visits you can have.
Your legal advisor books all legal visits.
If your relatives need financial assistance to visit you, they can
get an application form from the Visitors Centre at the prison,
or any DSS office.
Family Visits
These visits are designed to allow prisoners’ closer links to
their children. These visits are open to all prisoners on
standard or enhanced regime, but are only available by
application from your landing officer. Your visitors cannot book
these visits. For more information ask your landing officer
All prisoners can apply for a Family Visit. All Family Visits are
risk-assessed by security, and allocated out where there are
spaces. There is no minimum entitlement to Family Visits.
These forms should be returned to:
Assisted Prison Visits Unit
PO Box 2152
Birmingham
B15 1SD
Information for your Visitor:
Visits booking lines:
0208 588 3564
0208 588 3566
0208 588 3596
Storybook Dads
Prisoners can record a bedtime story onto a CD. The CD is
sent to your children. Your children can listen to the story at
bedtime
Ask your landing officer for an application form.
5
Visits for un-convicted prisoners
Visits entitlement
If you are unconvicted, your friends and family simply
telephone the prison on one of the booking lines
Un-convicted prisoners can currently receive 3 x 1 hour visits
per week.
Visits for convicted prisoners
If you are convicted, you will need to send your friends and
family Visiting Orders (VO’s). These are available from your
landing officer
Put the completed VO in an unsealed envelope addressed to
the main visitor.
When your friends or family receive the VO, they need to
telephone one of the above telephone numbers to book to
come and see you.
Convicted prisoners are currently entitled to three visits per
month. However, this is subject to change depending on you
IEP (Incentive and Earned Privileges) level
UNCONVICTED
CONVICTED
BASIC
2 x 1hr every 7
Days
2 x 1/2hr every 28
Days
STANDARD
3 x 1hr every 7
Days
ENHANCED
4 x 1hr every 7
Days
2 x 1hr every 28
Days (VO) and 1 x 1hr
PVO visit
2 x 1hr every 28 Days
And 2 x 1hr PVO visit
Visitors Centre
There is a visitor’s centre situated outside the prison where
there are toilet and nappy-changing facilities. There are also
lockers available, where you can leave your belongings.
Special Requirements
At the time of booking a visit please notify the booking clerk of
any special requirements, for example if any of your visitors
are wheelchair users.
Foreign National Prisoners
This ‘Induction companion’, booklet has been translated into
other languages.
The prison library stocks books, newspapers and dictionaries
in a wide range of languages.
A telephone translating service is available
6
Public Expense International Phone Calls
Diversity
Foreign Nationals, who normally reside either in or outside the
UK, and whose close family reside outside the UK (including
Ireland),
HMP Wormwood Scrubs will not tolerate any form of
harassment or unfair discrimination on the grounds of gender,
marital status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national
origin, disability, religion, sexual orientation, age or any other
irrelevant factor.
UK Nationals whose close family members reside outside the
UK or prisoners who have an urgent and unforeseen need for
a compassionate phone call.
A Foreign National is defined as someone who is born outside
the UK.
Applications for public expense international phone calls must
be submitted via Wing staff on the International Telephone
Call Application Form
International Mail
If you feel that you have witnessed an incident or been
subjected to one please complete a RIRF (Racial Incident
Reporting Form) or report the incident to a member of staff.
Your concern will be taken seriously and you will be informed
of the outcome
HMP Wormwood Scrubs is dedicated to the prevention of
discriminatory practices towards disabled people.
You should make staff aware of any disabilities you have, so
that your needs are met.
All foreign national prisoners are entitled to be given their
weekly statutory allocation of prison letters (one per week if
convicted; two if un-convicted) as airmail letters.
UK Borders Agency
Are available on all wings
7
Library Facilities
HMP Wormwood Scrubs has excellent library facilities that
you can visit at least once a week
Foreign language books and tapes are available,
You are allowed to borrow 6 books at a time for a three week
period. If you cannot find the book you require you will be
able to request it and the library staff will endeavour to obtain
it for you.
The library also has a collection of reference material. This
cannot be loaned but you may use it in the library.
If you require more time to use the reference material or to
use a library computer you can book an Extended Library
Visit.
Newspapers Orders
You may order newspapers and magazines, via application
from landing staff
Your family can also order newspapers and magazines
Health & Safety
We have a duty of care towards you and all other prisoners
that are here, that means we have to look at all aspects of
safety.
You equally have a duty of care towards yourself and just as
importantly to others. That means that you should not put
yourself at risk, nor should you put other people at risk by your
actions.
Do not throw food and litter out of your cell window, this
attracts vermin.
You will have daily opportunity to clean you cell and to use the
shower.
Smoking Policy
Smoking is only allowed in your cell and on the exercise yard
Fire Safety Advice
If you discover a fire:
Raise the alarm by either breaking the glass on the red fire
panels, or by informing wing staff.
In the event of a fire, follow all instructions issued by the wing
staff.
Do not stop to gather belongings.
If there is a fire in your cell:
Ring your cell bell
Shout for staff/bang on your door
Get down low on the floor or by a window as this is where the
most oxygen will be. If safe to do so attempt to distinguish the
fire.
Do not accumulate large amounts of flammable materials.
8
Basic Security Procedures
Searching
Drug Strategy
It is the policy of HMP Wormwood Scrubs to combat any
wrong doing within the establishment. To this end staff are
authorised to carry out searches on prisoners as required and
according to Prison Rules. Further information about
searching is available throughout the prison.
MDT (Mandatory Drug Testing) you may be subject to drug
testing whilst in prison
Failing or refusing to comply with a drug test may result in
disciplinary action
Help is available for anyone who wishes to address substance
misuse issues
Mail Monitoring
Regimes and Expected Standards of Behaviour
All incoming letters will be opened and examined for illicit
enclosures. Your outgoing letters may be censored, should be
not sealed. You must write your name and prison number on
the envelope
Cell Bells
You have a cell bell in your cell. This is to be used in an
emergency only.
Phone Call Monitoring
In Cell TV
Up to 5% of calls will be monitored and or recorded. Calls to
Legal Representatives are covered under Legal Privilege and
are not monitored
All cells have an In Cell TV which is charged to the prisoner/s.
Only Prisoners on Standard or Enhanced of the I.E.P.
Scheme will be allowed a TV.
Items In Possession
Alarm Bells
Please see the Facilities Lists on the wings for a full list of
what you are allowed in your possession
If you hear an alarm bell on the wing, immediately return to
your cell, or follow the instructions of staff
Freeflow
All prisoners who have visits, work, education or any other
activity will move together at designated times
When you are unlocked for freeflow it is your responsibility to
make your way to the exit gate on time. Failure to do so may
result in you missing the activity
9
Meals
IEP (Incentive and Earned Privileges Scheme)
If you have a special diet, then please inform us so that we
can make arrangements to meet these needs.
The IEP scheme is in place to encourage responsible and
appropriate behaviour. The scheme allows us to reward those
who work hard and show good behaviour and performance.
All wings (except B Wing) operate a menu system, which
allows you to pre-select your food one week in advance.
Domestics/ Association
You will be given the opportunity to use the telephone, shower
and associate with others on a daily basis. This is also the
time to make any Applications and enquiries to your landing
staff
IEP Scheme has 3 levels: - Basic, Standard, Enhanced.
All prisoners will start on the ‘Standard Level’ when they arrive
at Wormwood Scrubs. It is up to you to decide if you stay as
Standard or progress to Enhanced or regress to Basic. Your
IEP level will be determined by you standard of behaviour
Exercise
The amount of privileges you enjoy in prison, will be
determined by your IEP level
You will normally be allowed outside onto the exercise yard
daily
Adjudications
Laundry
You will have the opportunity to have your personal clothing
washed throughout the week – please ask your wing officers
for more details. Prison issue kit, including bedding will be
changed on a weekly basis.
If you break a prison rule you may be placed on report. If you
are found guilty you may be punished. This could take the
form of cellular confinement (CC), loss of earnings, loss of
association, and other privileges
10
What you can spend
Education
You may buy items from the prison shop (Canteen) weekly.
You can have as much money sent in to you, but the amount
you can spend is capped. Money should ideally be sent in via
a postal order made payable to ‘The Governor’, with your
name and prisoner number written on the back. We do accept
cheques, but these take longer to process. Please DO NOT
have cash sent in.
The following classes are available:
BASIC
STANDARD
ENHANCED
REMAND
£22.50
£47.50
£51.00
CONVICTED
£4.00
£15.50
£25.50
Earnings
LEO (Local Employment Office) is responsible for allocation to
Employment in the prison.
There are a variety of jobs available. LEO applications are
available from your landing staff
Basic Skills
ESOL
Social & Life Skills
IT Classes
GCSE
Journalism
Hospitality & Catering
Gym
If you want to use the gym facilities, you must first complete
the one day gym induction course. You will need to see the
nurse on B wing to apply
The gym induction will provide you with all you need to know
to use the gymnasium. You will be issued with a gym card.
You must produce your gym card every time you use the gym.
You will be issued clean kit every time you go to the gym.
When you leave, put your dirty kit in the laundry bags
provided in the changing rooms.
Healthcare
Each wing has a nurse and regular doctor’s surgeries. The
nurse can be seen daily at the surgery. The doctor and other
medical services can be accessed by application.
11
Chaplaincy
IMB (Independent Monitoring Board)
Can help in the following areas:
Pastoral/Spiritual/Bereavement Support
Religious/Worship materials
Religious Instruction
Victim Awareness/Alpha Courses
Pen friend/ Community Chaplaincy Schemes
The IMB is a group of volunteers, appointed by the Secretary
of State for Justice. They are impartial and are not managed
by the Prison Service.
There role is to ensure that the prison is working properly and
in line with prison policy.
You may apply to see a member of the IMB by completing a
green form which can be found next to the green box located
on all wings
All religions and denominations are represented and
supported. Acts of worship take place for all faiths. Speak to
you landing staff or any member of the Chaplaincy
Complaints
Should you feel that any time during your time here at HMP
Wormwood Scrubs you have been treated unfairly or would
like to make a complaint about something, then we have a
specific complaints procedure that you can follow:
Verbally to your landing or personal officer
Verbally to the wing through-care senior officer
By application to the wing governor
By application to the Independent Monitoring Board
By use of a complaints form
Complaint Forms are available at the side of the yellow boxes
on each wing. Your completed form should be placed in the
yellow box.
12