Thorn Cross Prison - GOV.UK

There are several ways you can keep in touch with a resident during their time at Thorn Cross. Secure video calling is available at this prison. Family and friends need to download the purple visits app, create an account, register all visitors, and add the prisoner to their contact list.

Book and plan your visit to Thorn Cross

Keep in touch with someone at Thorn Cross

There are several ways you can keep in touch with a resident during their time at Thorn Cross.

Secure video calls

Secure video calling is available at this prison. Family and friends need to download the purple visits app, create an account, register all visitors, and add the prisoner to their contact list.

Read more about how it works

Phone calls

Residents do not have phones in their rooms so they will always have to call you. They have to buy phone credits to do this.

They can phone anyone named on their list of friends and family. This list is checked by security when they first arrive so it may take a few days before they are able to call.

You can also exchange voicemails using the Prison Voicemail service.

Officers may listen to phone calls as a way of preventing crime and helping keep people safe.

Email

You can send emails to someone in Thorn Cross using the Email a Prisoner service.

Letters

You can write at any time.

Include the person’s name and prisoner number on the envelope.

If you do not know their prisoner number, contact Thorn Cross.

All post apart from legal letters will be opened and checked by officers.

Send money and gifts

You can use the free and fast online service to send money to someone in prison.

You can also send:

  • postal orders
  • cheques
  • cash

Postal orders and cheques should be made payable to The Governor and include the resident’s name and prisoner number on the back.

Gifts and parcels

Approved items such as clothing and books can be sent in by family during the first 28 days of men coming to Thorn Cross.

After that, they can receive one parcel a month.

Make sure to include the person’s name and prisoner number on the parcel.

All parcels will be opened and checked by officers.

Men can also buy their own goods using the catalogue system.

Life at Thorn Cross

Thorn Cross is committed to providing a safe and educational environment where men can learn new skills to help them on release.

Security and safeguarding

Every person at Thorn Cross has a right to feel safe. The staff are responsible for their safeguarding and welfare at all times.

All safeguarding processes are overseen by the Warrington Safeguarding Adults Board.

Arrival and first night

When a resident first arrives at Thorn Cross, they will be shown their room and then be able to contact a family member by phone. This could be quite late in the evening, depending on the time they arrive.

They will get to speak to someone who will check how they’re feeling and ask about any immediate health and wellbeing needs.

Induction

Each person who arrives at Thorn Cross gets an induction that lasts about a week. They will meet professionals who will help them with:

  • health and wellbeing, including mental and sexual health
  • any substance misuse issues, including drugs and alcohol
  • personal development in custody and on release, including skills, education and training
  • other support (sometimes called ‘interventions’), such as managing difficult emotions

Everyone also finds out about the rules, fire safety, and how things like calls and visits work.

Accommodation

Around 400 men live at Thorn Cross in a mixture of single and double rooms.

Residents have access to small kitchens, a full gymnasium, sports hall, library and chapel.

Education and work

Men at Thorn Cross can study or take workshops and training courses in a range of subjects, including construction trades, recycling, horticulture, hospitality, catering and rail construction.

Thorn Cross has a number of partnerships with local and national employers, including Timpsons and Max Speilmann, which offer work placements before and after release.

Temporary release

All men at Thorn Cross are eligible for release on temporary licence (ROTL).

It is important to keep close contact with family for good rehabilitation. It also helps men, who go out to work on day release, enter back into the community.

Support for family and friends

Find out about advice and helplines for family and friends.

Support at Thorn Cross

There is help and support for all families and friends of someone in prison provided by the charity, Partners of Prisoners (POPS).

Problems and complaints

If you have a problem contact Thorn Cross. If you cannot resolve the problem directly, you can make a complaint to HM Prison and Probation Service.

Governor: Dan Cooper

Telephone: 01925 805 100
Monday to Friday, 7am to 8pm
Weekends, 7am to 5pm
The gate lodge picks up at any other times
Find out about call charges

Fax: 01925 805 101

Address

HMP/YOI Thorn Cross
Arley Road
Appleton Thorn
Warrington
Cheshire
WA4 4RL

See map

Safer custody hotline

If you have concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a man in Thorn Cross, call the safer custody hotline.

Telephone: 01925 805 257
Find out about call charges

In an emergency, call the orderly officer on the main prison number.

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