HM Prison Downview, women's prison in Surrey, England
HM Prison Downview is a women's facility in Sutton, Surrey, with moderate security and about 350 places. It has four wings with individual cells equipped with electricity and phones, plus healthcare, education spaces, and special areas for pregnant women and mothers with infants.
Opened in 1989 on the grounds of a former nurses' home, the facility became the UK's first to offer a drug and alcohol support program in 1992. It has held only women since 2001, and added a transgender wing in 2019.
The name Downview refers to its location near Banstead Downs in Surrey. Daily life inside is structured around education, workshops, and work programs that help women develop skills and maintain connections with family and support networks.
Visits are possible on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday from 2 to 4 pm and must be booked by calling the visits line on weekdays. Visitors need valid ID such as a passport or driving license and must pass through security checks including bag scans and sometimes dog searches.
In 2019 the facility made history by opening the UK's first specialized wing for transgender women, creating a safe space and demonstrating the facility's commitment to meeting the needs of all prisoners.
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