Booking a social visit

Depending on your group processes, you might be required to book a visit yourself through the detention centre, or your co-ordinator may book a visit for you.

Visiting hours

Centres will have set visiting times which vary according to the centre, although they are most often in the afternoon (Derwentside and Dungavel IRCs are exceptions. Most centres have visiting hours everyday apart from Swinderby STHF which does not have weekend visiting hours.

You can find the visiting hours of each centre by following this link -https://www.gov.uk/immigration-removal-centre.

Deciding when to visit

Discuss with the person you are visiting the best time to see them within the visiting hours available. People will be organising visits around other appointments, meal times, as well as their own preferences for meeting and it is important that they can choose a time that suits them.

How to book a visit

Visits can be made over the phone or by email. Centres will often state that you need to book visits 24 hours in advance, although there may be flexibility. You will need someone's name to be able to book a visit with them, as staff will not give the names of people in detention to visitors.

You can find the number to book a visit on the website of the centre or prison you are going to.