Find prison information by need
Jump to guides that match what you are trying to do next.
Visiting a prisoner
How visits are arranged and what to prepare for.
Sending money to prisoners
General context for now; a dedicated money-and-accounts guide is planned.
Booking a prison visit
Booking channels, timing, and common requirements.
Prison rules and rights
Rights, rules, and where to verify current policy.
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.
No photograph in this directory
No facility photo on file; we do not use generic stand-ins for named sites.
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).
No photograph in this directory
No facility photo on file; we do not use generic stand-ins for named sites.
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).
No photograph in this directory
No facility photo on file; we do not use generic stand-ins for named sites.
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).
No photograph in this directory
No facility photo on file; we do not use generic stand-ins for named sites.
Alderson Fpc
FPC (Federal Prison Camp)
Alderson Fpc — FPC in West Virginia (Federal BOP listing).
Recently updated prisons
Profiles with the freshest source metadata in this build
No photograph in this directory
No facility photo on file; we do not use generic stand-ins for named sites.
Coordinates on file
38.3586, -105.0977
ADX Florence
Capacity: 490
No photograph in this directory
No facility photo on file; we do not use generic stand-ins for named sites.
Coordinates on file
37.8267, -122.4233
Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary
Capacity: 336
No photograph in this directory
No facility photo on file; we do not use generic stand-ins for named sites.
Alderson Fpc
FPC (Federal Prison Camp)
Alderson Fpc — FPC in West Virginia (Federal BOP listing).
No photograph in this directory
No facility photo on file; we do not use generic stand-ins for named sites.
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.
Allenwood Low Fci
FCI (Federal Correctional Institution)
Allenwood Low Fci — FCI in Pennsylvania (Federal BOP listing).
No photograph in this directory
No facility photo on file; we do not use generic stand-ins for named sites.
Allenwood Med Fci
FCI (Federal Correctional Institution)
Allenwood Med Fci — FCI in Pennsylvania (Federal BOP listing).
No photograph in this directory
No facility photo on file; we do not use generic stand-ins for named sites.
Allenwood Usp
USP (United States Penitentiary)
Allenwood Usp — USP in Pennsylvania (Federal BOP listing).
No photograph in this directory
No facility photo on file; we do not use generic stand-ins for named sites.
Coordinates on file
30.9559, -91.5571
Louisiana State Penitentiary
Capacity: 6,300
No photograph in this directory
No facility photo on file; we do not use generic stand-ins for named sites.
Ashland Fci
FCI (Federal Correctional Institution)
Ashland Fci — FCI in Kentucky (Federal BOP listing).
No photograph in this directory
No facility photo on file; we do not use generic stand-ins for named sites.
Atlanta Ccm
Other BOP facility type
Atlanta Ccm — OTHER in Georgia (Federal BOP listing).
275
Prisons Listed
8
Countries Covered
8
Information Guides
92
Articles Published
Common situations
Quick help for the most common prison-related questions
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)
Understanding the reception process, from court to cell allocation and the first days inside.
How Prison Sentences Work (UK)
An explanation of different sentence types, release dates, and parole eligibility.
Life Inside Prison (UK)
What daily life looks like inside a prison, including routines, work, and recreation.
Prison Categories Explained (UK)
Understanding the different security categories and what they mean for prisoners.
Rights of Prisoners (UK)
What rights prisoners retain while serving their sentence and how they are protected.
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 AmericaCanada's correctional system is divided between federal and provincial jurisdictions. The Correctional Service of Canada manages federal penitentiaries for offenders sentenced to two years or more. Provincial and territorial systems handle shorter sentences and remand.
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 typically belongs in your pocket for ID and screening, what stays in the car, and how property rules differ from visits-hall vending.
What Happens When Someone Goes to Prison
Understanding the reception process, from court to cell allocation and the first days inside.
How Prison Sentences Work
An explanation of different sentence types, release dates, and parole eligibility.
Life Inside Prison
What daily life looks like inside a prison, including routines, work, and recreation.
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
An analysis of the current prison population crisis and its effects on the criminal justice system.
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