Everything You Need To Know About HMP Dovegate

HMP Dovegate is a Category B men’s prison located near Uttoxeter in Staffordshire. Opened in 2001, it is a relatively modern facility compared to many older UK prisons. What makes Dovegate unique is that it houses one of only a handful of therapeutic communities in the country — a specialist environment designed to support prisoners with complex needs, particularly those serving long-term or indeterminate sentences.

The prison is privately operated by Serco, under contract with the Ministry of Justice, and can hold more than 1,000 prisoners. Its modern design, rehabilitation programmes, and therapeutic community make it a distinctive part of the UK prison estate.

History of HMP Dovegate

HMP Dovegate was opened in 2001 to help address the growing prison population in England and Wales. Unlike many prisons built in the Victorian era, Dovegate was designed with modern facilities and an emphasis on rehabilitation.

One of its standout features is its Therapeutic Community (TC), which offers an intensive, group-based treatment programme for around 200 prisoners. This community aims to help men address the root causes of their behaviour, including trauma, addiction, and offending patterns, within a structured and supportive environment.

As a privately run prison, Dovegate has often been in the spotlight during debates about the role of private companies in managing custodial services.

Prison Category and Population

HMP Dovegate is classified as a Category B prison, meaning it holds men who require secure conditions but are not considered the highest risk (as would be the case in a Category A prison).

The prison has a capacity of around 1,100 prisoners, including those in the main prison population and the therapeutic community. Prisoners here are typically serving medium to long sentences, and many will spend significant time at Dovegate.

Facilities and Structure

The prison is divided into several residential wings and the separate therapeutic community unit.

Key facilities include:
- Education centre offering courses in literacy, numeracy, IT, and vocational skills.
- Workshops providing employment in industries such as textiles, carpentry, and production.
- Healthcare services, including mental health support and drug/alcohol treatment programmes.
- Sports and recreation, including a gym and exercise yards.
- Faith provision, with chaplaincy services supporting prisoners of different religions.

The design of Dovegate reflects its modern construction, with brighter and more spacious layouts compared to older Victorian prisons.

Visiting HMP Dovegate

Booking a Visit
Visits to HMP Dovegate must be booked in advance, either via the GOV.UK online booking service or by phone. Prisoners are allowed a set number of visits each month, depending on their status.

Visiting Times
Visiting sessions are typically held on weekdays and weekends, though exact times may vary. Families should always confirm availability before making travel arrangements.

What to Expect
Visitors must bring valid photo ID and proof of address. Security checks are strict, with searches carried out on all visitors. Items such as phones, cash, and cigarettes are prohibited inside the visits hall.

The visits hall itself is equipped with seating, refreshments, and basic family-friendly facilities. Maintaining visits is considered crucial to the mental health and rehabilitation of long-term prisoners.

Phone Calls from HMP Gartree

Prisoners at Dovegate can make outgoing calls only, to pre-approved numbers. Calls are monitored and recorded unless to a legal representative.

Like elsewhere, calls to mobiles are much more expensive than calls to landlines. Services such as Prison Call help families by providing a virtual landline number, which redirects to a mobile. This way, prisoners pay the cheaper landline rate, while families can receive the call wherever they are.

Notable Headlines

HMP Dovegate has made headlines for both positive and negative reasons. Its therapeutic community has been praised as a model of effective rehabilitation, with many prisoners reporting life-changing progress.

However, the prison has also faced criticism in inspection reports for safety concerns, drug availability, and limited access to purposeful activity. These contrasting headlines highlight the complexities of running a large, privately managed prison.

Things to Know About HMP Dovegate

- Operated by Serco, not the public sector.
- Houses both a main prison population and a separate therapeutic community.
- Focused on rehabilitation, particularly for long-term and indeterminate prisoners.
- Located near Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, making it accessible from the Midlands and North West.

HMP Dovegate is one of the UK’s most distinctive prisons, thanks to its therapeutic community and modern design. As a Category B facility, it holds over 1,000 men, many of them serving long or indefinite sentences.

While the prison faces challenges with safety, staffing, and overcrowding, its rehabilitation programmes and unique therapeutic approach set it apart. For families, knowing the visiting process, call system, and prison structure can help make the experience less daunting, ensuring vital connections are maintained throughout a loved one’s sentence.