Find prison information by need
Jump to guides that match what you are trying to do next.
UK Prisons Directory
A sample of establishments across UK regions
HMP Bristol
Reception
Bristol Prison is a men’s prison in the Horfield area of Bristol.
HMP Bedford
Reception
Bedford Prison is a prison in the centre of Bedford for men aged 18 and over.
HMP Haverigg
Open
Haverigg is a men’s open prison near Millom in Cumbria.
HMP Channings Wood
Cat C Trainer
Channings Wood is a men’s prison near Newton Abbot in Devon.
HMP Leicester
Reception
Leicester prison is a men’s prison in the centre of Leicester.
HMP Buckley Hall
Cat C Trainer
Buckley Hall is a men’s prison in Rochdale, Greater Manchester.
US Federal and State Prisons
Browse federal facilities and selected major US prisons. This directory is largely BOP-sourced; state and local coverage is not comprehensive.
Aliceville Fci
FCI (Federal Correctional Institution)
Aliceville Fci — FCI in Alabama (Federal BOP listing).
No photograph in this directory
No facility photo on file; we do not use generic stand-ins for named sites.
Phoenix Ccm
Other BOP facility type
Phoenix Ccm — OTHER in Arizona (Federal BOP listing).
No photograph in this directory
No facility photo on file; we do not use generic stand-ins for named sites.
Forrest City Fci
FCI (Federal Correctional Institution)
Forrest City Fci — FCI in Arkansas (Federal BOP listing).
Atwater Usp
USP (United States Penitentiary)
Atwater Usp — USP in California (Federal BOP listing).
No photograph in this directory
No facility photo on file; we do not use generic stand-ins for named sites.
Englewood Fci
FCI (Federal Correctional Institution)
Englewood Fci — FCI in Colorado (Federal BOP listing).
No photograph in this directory
No facility photo on file; we do not use generic stand-ins for named sites.
Danbury Fci
FCI (Federal Correctional Institution)
Danbury Fci — FCI in Connecticut (Federal BOP listing).
Popular Prisons
Frequently searched UK and US establishments
HMP Wandsworth
Reception
Wandsworth is a men’s prison in the London Borough of Wandsworth, South West London.
HMP Manchester
Cat B Trainer
Manchester Prison is a men’s high security prison in Manchester city centre. It was known as Strangeways until 1994.
No photograph in this directory
No facility photo on file; we do not use generic stand-ins for named sites.
Florence Admax Usp
USP (United States Penitentiary)
Florence Admax Usp — USP in Colorado (Federal BOP listing).
Brooklyn Mdc
MDC (Metropolitan Detention Center)
Brooklyn Mdc — MDC in New York (Federal BOP listing).
No photograph in this directory
No facility photo on file; we do not use generic stand-ins for named sites.
Atlanta Fci
FCI (Federal Correctional Institution)
Atlanta Fci — FCI in Georgia (Federal BOP listing).
Alderson Fpc
FPC (Federal Prison Camp)
Alderson Fpc — FPC in West Virginia (Federal BOP listing).
Recently updated prisons
Recently updated prison profiles
Aaqqigiarvik Correctional Healing Facility
Capacity: 143
No photograph in this directory
No facility photo on file; we do not use generic stand-ins for named sites.
Acacia Prison
No photograph in this directory
No facility photo on file; we do not use generic stand-ins for named sites.
Adelaide Pre-release Centre
Capacity: 84
No photograph in this directory
No facility photo on file; we do not use generic stand-ins for named sites.
Adelaide Remand Centre
Capacity: 274
No photograph in this directory
No facility photo on file; we do not use generic stand-ins for named sites.
Adelaide Women's Prison
Capacity: 232
Albany Regional Prison
No photograph in this directory
No facility photo on file; we do not use generic stand-ins for named sites.
Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary
Capacity: 336
Alderson Fpc
FPC (Federal Prison Camp)
Alderson Fpc — FPC in West Virginia (Federal BOP listing).
Alexander Maconochie Centre
No photograph in this directory
No facility photo on file; we do not use generic stand-ins for named sites.
Algoma Treatment and Remand Centre
Capacity: 133
762
Prisons Listed
11
Countries Covered
13
Information Guides
92
Articles Published
Common situations
Quick help for the most common prison-related questions
How to Find a UK Prison Address (UK)
Find a UK prison’s postal address, postcode and switchboard number, then open that establishment’s contact-details page instead of relying on forum posts.
How Prison Visits Work (UK)
A complete guide to visiting someone in prison, including booking, rules, and what to expect.
What Happens When Someone Goes to Prison (UK)
England and Wales reception and first days: intake, first night, induction — and how US systems differ.
How Prison Sentences Work (UK)
England and Wales sentence types — determinate, EDS, life/IPP — and why automatic release points depend on the rules that apply to that sentence.
Life Inside Prison (UK)
What people in England and Wales prisons typically do all day — regime, work, education, meals, and association — and how US systems differ.
Prison Categories Explained (UK)
Understanding the different security categories and what they mean for prisoners.
Rights of Prisoners (UK)
What rights prisoners keep in England and Wales — human rights, healthcare, legal contact, voting rules — what they lose, and how to complain.
Browse by Country
Explore prison systems around the world
United Kingdom
EuropeThe United Kingdom operates a prison system across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. HM Prison Service manages prisons in England and Wales, while Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate systems. The system uses a category-based classification from Category A (highest security) to Category D (open prisons).
United States (Federal)
North AmericaThis directory slice lists federal Bureau of Prisons facilities from the site’s BOP-derived import. It does not include state prison systems, county jails, or ICE detention unless they appear elsewhere in the dataset. Counts update when the import is refreshed.
United States
North AmericaThe United States has the largest prison population in the world. The federal Bureau of Prisons operates over 120 facilities, while each state runs its own prison system. County jails, operated by local governments, hold pre-trial detainees and those serving short sentences.
Canada
North AmericaFederal institutions run by the Correctional Service of Canada, and provincial and territorial correctional facilities. Each listing is checked against an official government source, linked on its profile.
Australia
OceaniaCorrectional centres run by Australia's state and territory corrective services, including privately operated centres under government contract. Each listing is checked against an official government source, linked on its profile.
New Zealand
OceaniaPrisons run by Ara Poutama Aotearoa (the Department of Corrections), plus one prison operated privately under contract. Each listing is checked against an official government source, linked on its profile.
Ireland
EuropePrisons run by the Irish Prison Service. Each listing is checked against an official government source, linked on its profile.
South Africa
AfricaCorrectional centres run by the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), grouped by DCS region, including one centre DCS lists as privately operated. Each listing is checked against the official DCS facility list, linked on its profile.
Prison Information Guides
Helpful resources for understanding the prison system
How Prison Visits Work
A complete guide to visiting someone in prison, including booking, rules, and what to expect.
What to Wear to a Prison Visit
Practical guidance on dress codes, footwear, and accessories so you are not turned away at the gate before a visit.
What Can You Bring to a Prison Visit
What to bring to a prison visit in England and Wales: the accepted ID list, what goes in the locker, banned items, and food, gift and money rules.
Can You Get Haircuts in Prison?
Yes — people in prison can usually get haircuts. How barbers, booking, and frequency work in England and Wales (US systems differ).
Can You Have Piercings in Prison?
General guidance on piercings in prison, jewellery restrictions, searches, healthcare issues, and why local rules matter.
What Happens When Someone Goes to Prison
England and Wales reception and first days: intake, first night, induction — and how US systems differ.
Latest updates and insights
Analysis and insights on prison systems
Most Dangerous Prisons in the World
A look at some of the most dangerous and notorious prisons across the globe, from overcrowded facilities to maximum-security lockdowns.
Famous Prison Escapes Throughout History
From Alcatraz to the Tower of London, these daring escapes captivated the world and changed how prisons approach security.
Understanding Prison Overcrowding in England and Wales
What prison overcrowding means in England and Wales: population vs CNA and operational capacity, why it happens, and how to check the latest official figures.
How Rehabilitation Programmes Reduce Reoffending
Research shows that effective rehabilitation programmes can significantly reduce reoffending rates.
Planning a prison visit?
Resources to help you prepare