Rochester Prison Family Support Services

At HMP Rochester Spurgeons run family days, parenting courses for dads in prison and special children's activities on visits. Spurgeons staff (based in the Visitors Centre) and our partner organisations will be on hand before, during and after your visit to offer advice and support.

Due to Covid-19 some services we usually provide have been suspended but we are finding safe ways to keep the communication going between dads and their families. Please contact the Spurgeons team for more information.

Top Tips for Families

Information on supporting a child with a parent in prison

Top tips for families

Family Days

Read about our family day activities

What to expect from our Family Days

''I actually cannot thank the Spurgeons team at HMP Rochester enough for helping me get through these difficult times'' -Visitor, HMP Rochester

Important Coronavirus (Covid-19) Update

The Gov.uk website has put together some frequently asked questions and responses relating to friends and family of prisoners during the coronavirus outbreak.

Visit Gov.uk

Purple Visits

Purple Visits are available at HMP Rochester and is a secure way to video call with those in custody.

Purple Visits at HMP Rochester

Contact details

Our Spurgeons colleagues would be happy to answer any questions you may have, you can get in touch with us through the following options:

Spurgeons Visitors Centre, HMP Rochester, 1 Fort Road, Rochester, Kent, ME1 3QS

01634 803121

HMP Rochester Family Support Service Facebook Page

Getting here

By bus: Bus No. 145 can be taken to reach the prison from Rochester town centre. Ask for the Bridge Wardens public house. Cross the road and walk up the alleyway to the garage. Cross the road and walk up hill past HMP Cookham Wood, HMP Rochester is on your right and the Visitors Centre is in the lower car park.

By train: The nearest train station is Rochester. The station is around 2 miles away. You can take a taxi to reach the prison.

By car: From the M2 exit at Junction 3 and follow signs to Chatham; at the 3rd roundabout take first turning on the left signposted Borstal. The prison is approx. 2 miles down Maidstone road, on the left opposite the garage.

From M20, exit at Junction 6 and follow the signs to Chatham and Rochester on the A229. At the top of Blue Bell Hill keep left and follow the signs to Borstal.

Parking

Parking is available at the prison in the main car park or visitors car park. There is parking for Blue Badge holders outside of the visitors centre.

Disabled access

The visitors centre is wheelchair accessible.

Visitors leaflet

Download a printable copy of our visitors information leaflet for Rochester Prison Family Services

Download our visitors leaflet

Safer Custody Team

If you are concerned about someone in HMP Rochester you can contact the Safer Custody Team on the number below.

01634 803 268

Support for families

Spurgeons delivers a variety of activities and programmes to support both fathers in prison and their families.

Offering a Helping Hand

Read our guide to supporting those affected by IPP sentences

IPP support

Family days

Our family days are a way for children to connect with their parent in prison

About family days

Top Tips for Families

Read our guide to supporting a child with a parent in prison

Read our Top Tips

Further Information

Support for families affected by imprisonment

Useful links

Volunteering

Volunteering at a Spurgeons Prison-Based Family Support service can be a great way to support prisoners and families affected by imprisonment as well as the local community.

See volunteering opportunities