HMP Holme House

HMP Holme House is a Category C men’s prison located in Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham. It was built to serve the North East of England and remains one of the region’s largest correctional facilities. For families, friends, and loved ones with someone inside, knowing what to expect from HMP Holme House – from its history and daily operations to calling and visiting – is essential. This guide provides all the key information you need.

History of HMP Holme House

HMP Holme House first opened in May 1992 as a local prison serving the courts in the North East. Initially designed as a Category B prison, it was reclassified to Category C in 2017 to support the government’s strategy of expanding training and resettlement prisons. Its purpose shifted towards rehabilitation and preparing men for release back into the community, with greater emphasis on education, work opportunities, and substance misuse recovery.

Current Setup and Facilities

Today, HMP Holme House can hold over 1,200 prisoners. The prison is divided into multiple wings, each with its own purpose, including general population wings, substance misuse units, and resettlement-focused areas. Cells vary between single and double occupancy, most equipped with basic facilities such as a toilet, sink, and access to phones for outgoing calls.

The prison also includes:

Education and Training:
Partnerships with local colleges and providers to offer vocational skills.Workshops and Employment: Opportunities for prisoners to engage in industrial work, kitchens, or service roles.

Healthcare:
A healthcare unit with a strong emphasis on drug and alcohol recovery, as HMP Holme House is one of the country’s “recovery prisons.”

Gym and Exercise Facilities:
Promoting health and fitness as part of rehabilitation.

Problems and Challenges

Like many UK prisons, HMP Holme House faces ongoing challenges. Overcrowding has been an issue, as well as staff shortages which impact safety and day-to-day operations. Reports have highlighted problems with violence, drug use (particularly synthetic substances such as spice), and high levels of self-harm. While the recovery-focused model has made progress, maintaining safety and supporting rehabilitation remains a significant challenge for staff and management.

How to Call a Prisoner at HMP Holme House

Prisoners at HMP Holme House have access to phones inside their cells, but they can only make outgoing calls to numbers on their approved list. Calls are recorded and monitored for security. Family and friends cannot call in directly, so it’s important to ensure your number is approved by the prison before your loved one attempts to ring.

Call Costs
The cost of prison phone calls in the UK can be expensive. From HMP Holme House, calling a mobile can cost up to 16p per minute, and although landline calls are cheaper, many families no longer use landlines. This often makes staying in touch harder for families already under financial strain.

Cheaper Prison Calls with CallFromPrison.co.uk
This is where CallFromPrison.co.uk can help. By providing a virtual landline number that connects directly to your mobile, prisoners at HMP Holme House can call you at the lower landline rate, rather than the more expensive mobile rate. Families using this service typically save up to 80% on prison call costs.

The benefits include:
Huge Savings: Calls charged at the cheaper landline rate.
Easy Setup: No complicated technology – just a number your loved one dials.
Better Communication: Stay in touch more often without worrying about the cost.

Maintaining regular contact is vital for a prisoner’s emotional well-being and rehabilitation, and CallFromPrison.co.uk makes this affordable.

Visiting HMP Holme House

Visiting is an important part of staying connected. HMP Holme House offers visits several times per week, but all visits must be booked in advance.

Booking Visits:
You can book online through the GOV.UK prison visits booking service. Alternatively, bookings can sometimes be made by phone.

Visiting Times:
Visiting hours vary, usually including weekday afternoons and weekends. It’s important to check the latest schedule directly with the prison.

Arrival:
Visitors should arrive at least 30 minutes before the visit for security checks. You’ll need to bring photographic ID (passport, driving licence, or CitizenCard).

What You Can Bring:
Personal items, bags, and mobile phones are not permitted in the visiting hall. Lockers are available. You may be allowed to bring essentials for young children such as nappies or baby bottles.

Facilities:
The visits hall includes refreshments and a family-friendly environment, with staff support available for those bringing children.

HMP Holme House is a key resettlement prison in the North East, with a strong focus on rehabilitation and substance misuse recovery. However, it faces challenges such as overcrowding, drugs, and violence. For families, staying in touch is vital – both by visiting and through regular phone calls. While calling from prison can be costly, services like CallFromPrison.co.uk make communication more affordable and accessible, helping maintain strong family bonds during difficult times.