visits lindholme

Blog Government Digital Service

https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2014/09/15/you-can-now-book-a-prison-visit-online/

You can now book a prison visit online

Booking a prison visit should be simple and straightforward. Until now that was far from the case. Booking a visit required both prisoner and visitor to jump through hoops: paper forms and drawn-out phone calls. And if the visit date turned out to be impossible, they had to start all over again.

Now you can book a visit online . It takes about 5 minutes. Before, picking an available date was pot luck. Now there's a date-picker that lets you select 3 possible slots instead of 1. It’s a straight-forward service with user-needs at its heart but, if you get stuck, you can call the prison's visits booking line and someone will help you with the booking.

Here's a very short film we've made about it:

By making it easier to book visits, prisoners will see more of their friends and family. Evidence suggests this will help their rehabilitation. Transformation isn't just about websites.

The service was built by the Ministry of Justice, with a combined team from the National Offender Management Service, HM Prison Service and MoJ Digital Services.

For more of the story behind this service, read Mike Bracken's account of his trip to HMP Rochester or check out the service’s transformation page .

Join the conversation on Twitter , and don't forget to sign up for email alerts .

Sharing and comments

Share this page, 20 comments.

Comment by Pauline posted on 23 August 2015

How do you find out the prisoners number??? so you can go ahead with online booking of a visit?

Comment by Carrie Barclay posted on 24 August 2015

You can find a prisoner using this service: https://www.gov.uk/find-prisoner However it will be the prisoner's responsibility to get in touch with you to let you know their prison number etc.

Comment by linda posted on 15 August 2015

This service does not appear to work this is day 2 trying to use it

Comment by Olivia posted on 30 July 2015

Hi, If a visit is booked and someone cant make it, is it possible to change the name of one of the people to someone else?

Comment by Louise Duffy posted on 30 July 2015

It's best to contact the prison directly if this happens. You can find contact details here: http://www.justice.gov.uk/contacts/prison-finder

Thanks, Louise

Comment by Paige posted on 28 July 2015

Hi my partner was sent to nottingham today, I was on his previous list 4 months ago for a visit. Will that still be on the system all will it have to he put through again if so how long does it take to be approved for a visit? Thanks Paige.

Comment by Louise Duffy posted on 29 July 2015

You might want to get in touch with the prison first before booking a visit. You can find the contact details of the prison here: http://www.justice.gov.uk/contacts/prison-finder

Comment by Debs posted on 27 July 2015

Hello Is there a list of prisons where online booking can't be used?

Comment by Louise Duffy posted on 28 July 2015

According to the information on this page: https://www.gov.uk/prison-visits , you can arrange a visit to any prison in England and Wales through this service. If you're visiting someone in Northern Ireland or Scotland you'll need to contact the prison directly.

This link also lists the type of visits that are not covered by the online service: https://www.gov.uk/prison-visits so you need to get in touch with the prison directly.

Hope that's helpful.

Comment by c.steer posted on 26 July 2015

So how do I find the booking form to fill in I am new to computers

Comment by Louise Duffy posted on 27 July 2015

Here's the link to the booking form: https://www.gov.uk/prison-visits

You'll need this information to complete the form:

prisoner number prisoner’s date of birth dates of birth for all visitors coming with you make sure the person you’re visiting has added you to their visitor list

Hope that's useful.

Comment by Shawnaa posted on 09 May 2015

i have a visit booked which i did online but i do not have a visiting order woll the prison let me in?

Comment by Carrie Barclay posted on 11 May 2015

Your identity will be checked on arrival to make sure you’re on the visitor list.

Comment by jessicca posted on 27 January 2015

What happens after you book the visit and its confirmed by email do you need the visiting order ?

Comment by Carrie Barclay posted on 29 January 2015

The Visiting Order (VO) number is generated by the booking system, it is included in your confirmation email and you will need this to change or cancel a booking.

However, if you're visiting a prison the guidance is that you only need your ID, not the VO number. If when you visit the prison you are asked for the VO number you should report this via the Contact Us link on the Prison Visits Booking form.

I hope that helps.

Comment by Ilysa Mcnally posted on 18 November 2014

How late in advance can I book e.g. book a visit today (Tuesday) for the Sunday coming???

Comment by Carrie Barclay posted on 19 November 2014

Hi Ilysa. Thanks for your question. A visit needs to be booked 3 working days in advance. So in this case, the visit request would have to be no later than Tuesday to allow for a visit on Sunday.

Comment by carole posted on 23 October 2014

How far in advance can you book visits

Comment by Carrie Barclay posted on 23 October 2014

Hi Carole. You can book up to 28 days in advance. Thanks for your question.

Comment by kimberly posted on 16 August 2015

does anyone know how to cancel a visit online?

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Hmp lindholme.

Inside Time Reports
13th December 2014
Male Cat. C , Prison Visit , Yorkshire & Humberside

Prison information

Address: HMP LINDHOLME Bawtry Road, Hatfield Woodhouse Doncaster, DN7 6EE Switchboard: 01302 524980 / 524721 Managed by: HMPPS Region: Yorkshire Category: Male Link to: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/lindholme-prison

Description

Lindholme is an adult male prison, near Doncaster, South Yorkshire.

Visit Booking: On-line

Use this online service to book a social visit to a prisoner in England or Wales you need the:

prisoner number
prisoner’s date of birth
dates of birth for all visitors coming with you

The prisoner must add you to their visitor list before you can book a visit.

You’ll get an email confirming your visit. It takes 1 to 3 days.

ID: Every visit

Children’s Visits:

Acceptable forms of ID

Search reports

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Prison Inspectorates Reports

Probation Service Reports

Prisons and Probations Ombudsman

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HMYOI WARREN HILL

4th January 2015

6 thoughts on “ HMP LINDHOLME ”

I went on a visit just yesterday and although i have to say i think that its a good thing the prison is doing everything they can to reduce the drug problem with in the jail. How ever i do have to say the attitude of the new staff is disgusting and bang out of order to say the least. And if new policy’s have been put in place with regards to a visitor not having photo identification but can provide 2 other forms of id which is listed and stated on the gov uk website then it needs to be updated asap because i dont have photo id but i take more than is required to prove i am who i say i am which was good enough for the staff at the booking center but i was told i could only take my birth certificate across with my to the prison for the visit and at the next id check point just before you get searched i showed my id which is required when giving the name of who ur visiting. The office at this point then told me that my id wasnt good enough and she required photo id the next time i visit and I tried to explain that i had brought more that this but i had to put this in the locker in the visitor booking center as i was told to by the officer there so is this now a new rule with regards to id or not because if not then someone needs to tell the offices working at lindholme prison because this will cause problems as i tried explain that i had more that what i was showing her at this point but i wasn’t allowed to bring this across with me for obvious security reasons and I shouted at basically and then was threatened with her ending my visit here and now this was before i had even got searched so the visit had not even started but the point is iv never had a problem with regards to my id when iv visited any prison but now this one officer is basically demanding it be photo id which is shown the next time and it wasnt just me she was saying this to either the person who was showing there id was using an outdated passport and she was told to get it updated other wise she wouldn’t be allowed in the next time so which is it is it now a requirement to have photo identification or not because not everyone can afford to pay for something like photo id so this is going to cause problems with the visitor if this is now a rule someone need to keep things like this updated on website on gov uk because its mis informing and very confusing to say The least.

Please someone help.my grandsons in lindholme ands been in since march 2019,he came from ranby.ive sent him money every week by doing it on line like ive always done but now when i type in his name,birthdate,and prison number it just flashes up..the details youve typed in do not match any prisoner in the uk prison system..he now has no money for phone credit or to buy stamps so we cant keep in touch.we keep ringing the prison four days on the trot but no one answers.its causing terrible stress as his sons going up for adoption soon and his grandads seriously ill and ive got agoraphobia.has anyone else had this problem and what can we do.

There is no play area for children the small space that did have some very dirty broken toys is now used as a tuck shop to buy sandwiches, drinks and cake. High chairs are filthy and my little boy has been ill twice after sitting in them. No buggies available either so we have to try and keep a 10 month old entertained and sat on our knees for a hour and half visit. Very dirty poor facilities for visitors, who lets remember have not committed any crime. Although you are treated as you have.

Visiting times not correct on here. Visits are also always late starting and ways early finishing, so much for keeping family connections! Due to distance only get to visit every 6 weeks so very frustrating to then lose 30 mins of every visit! Seems to be one rule for some and another rule for the rest with regards to physical contact on a visit, while half of them end up sitting on the prisoners lap we nearly always get told of if we cuddle to long despite ensuring our hands can be seen at all times!

You should have right to see a doctor prisoners treated like animals

VERY DIFFICULT TO ARRANGE VISIT USING THE PHONE. THE LINE IS ALWAYS ENGAGED. VERY FRUSTRATING

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Lindholme Prison Information

Accommodation: The prison consists of multiple residential units with individual cells or shared accommodation for inmates. The cells are equipped with basic amenities, including beds, personal storage, and sanitation facilities.
Education and Vocational Training: Lindholme Prison provides educational programs to help inmates improve their literacy, numeracy, and other skills. Vocational training opportunities are also offered to enhance employment prospects upon release.
Work Opportunities: Inmates have access to work opportunities within the prison, such as maintenance, cleaning, kitchen, and other designated roles. These work activities aim to develop skills, a sense of responsibility, and a work ethic.
Healthcare: Lindholme Prison has an on-site healthcare unit staffed with medical professionals who offer primary healthcare services to prisoners. Mental health support, substance abuse programs, and specialist services are also available.
Sports and Physical Activities: The prison promotes physical fitness and well-being by providing access to sports facilities and organized activities. These activities aim to promote positive lifestyle choices and encourage teamwork.
Family Contact: Lindholme Prison recognizes the importance of maintaining family relationships and supports visits and contact with family members, subject to specific guidelines and regulations.
Resettlement Support: The prison offers pre-release planning and support to help inmates prepare for their eventual release. This may include assistance with accommodation, employment, and access to community-based support services.

Contact Information

Booking a visit to lindholme prison.

Unlimited Prison Phone Calls Package

Be on the prisoners visits list
Book your visit in advance
Have the required ID when you visit
At least one visitor must be over 18
There may be a limit to the number of visits a person can have. You can check this with Lindholme.

Lindholme Prison

Tel: 01302 524700 – Bawtry Road, Hatfield Woodhouse, Doncaster, South Yorkshire DN7 6EE

HMP Lindholme is a category C prison with a capacity of 1,010. It accepts males over the age of 21 serving sentences of 4 years or over, and is situated approximately 10 miles from the city of Doncaster. The prison is built on the site of a former RAF base, which was purchased from the Ministry of Defence in the 1980s. It opened as a prison in 1985. If you’re planning to visit HMP Lindholme and would like directions, please refer to the map on this page.

Tel: 01302 524700

Operational capacity: 1010

Bawtry Road, Hatfield Woodhouse, Doncaster, South Yorkshire DN7 6EE

Prison Phone have been saving inmates at HMP Lindholme money on their calls from the prison to any UK mobile phone since 2013.

We do this by allocating a dedicated and secure local number to your mobile phone, this means when the inmate at Lindholme prison calls the new local number we have provided they will be charged at just the local landline rate (around 10p per minute) rather than the standard mobile rate (which is around 40p per minute).

This in turn helps to stretch the inmates PINS phone credit further and reduces the amount you need to send in for them to top up!

Send me Lindholme prison details via FREE SMS

Mobile number:

Here’s some facts about Lindholme Prison

HMP Lindholme is a category C / D prison in Hatfield, Hertfordshire. Opened in 1985, the prison can hold up to 1,010 male inmates at once.

Accomodation consists of 10 wings (A to G and L wings). There are three large, modern, purpose-built wings (G, J and K). In addition to these, L wing was built as temporary accommodation and contains 30 double cells and currently holds the more vulnerable population. The rest of the accommodation consists of six small units (A to F wings), each containing 64 beds on eight spurs. These buildings were part of the original RAF camp and are sited around the main exercise yard. On A to F wings, prisoners have access to their own rooms, with a room key, and to a communal landing, where there is a refrigerator, television, hot water boiler, shower and toilet.

A brutal attack , filmed on a mobile phone, was carried out, in which a “bully” asks a fellow inmate: “should I break his leg?”. The video was sent to the mother of the victim, who sent it to the Mirror.

To view the latest HMIP inspection report, click here .

Visiting hours are between 14:15 and 16:00 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

HMP Lindholme has been put up for tender, and it seemed as though private company Serco would win the contract. However, due to issues arising with Serco’s other government contracts, this is now in doubt.

A 2012 report found that there were significant religious tensions within the prison and that the needs of disabled prisoners were not being addressed.

HMP Lindholme is one of the UK’s most cost-effective prisons.

Prison Phone offers phone tariffs that reduce the costs of calls from this prison by up to 75%! This enables prisoners to get the support and love that they are missing from home, while reducing costs for the inmate. Find out more below.

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Crime, justice and law
Prisons and probation

Hatfield Prison

Hatfield is a prison and young offender institution near Doncaster for men aged 18 and over. It is split into 2 sites, Hatfield Main and Hatfield Lakes.

Help us to improve this page. Give us your feedback in this 2-minute survey .

Book and plan your visit to Hatfield

To visit someone in Hatfield you must:

be on that prisoner’s visitor list
book your visit at least 3 days in advance
have the required ID with you when you go

There may be a limit to the number of visits a prisoner can have.

Call 01405 756509 if you have any questions about visiting.

Help with the cost of your visit

If you get certain benefits or have an NHS health certificate, you might be able to get help with the costs of your visit , including:

travel to Hatfield
somewhere to stay overnight

How to book family and friends visits

You can book your visit online , by telephone or by email, [email protected]

Visits booking line: 01405 746 611. The booking line is open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 11:30am Find out about call charges

Visiting times for HMP Hatfield:

Saturday and Sunday: 2pm to 4pm

Hatfield Lakes site:

Friday, Saturday and Sunday: 2pm to 4pm

How to book legal and professional visits

Face to Face legal visits can only be booked by telephone using the visits booking line: 01405 746 611. Face to face legal visits will be accommodated on an ad-hoc basis.

Getting to Hatfield

Find Hatfield on a map

The prison is split over 2 sites, which are located approximately 4 miles apart:

HMP/YOI Hatfield (Main site) Thorne Road Hatfield Doncaster South Yorkshire DN7 6EL

HMP/YOI Hatfield (Lakes site) Lancaster Drive Lindholme Doncaster South Yorkshire DN7 6FA

The closest stations to the prison are Thorne North and Thorne South but the service is limited and there is no taxi rank.

To plan your journey by public transport:

use National Rail Enquiries
use Traveline for local bus times as there are buses that stop close to the prison

There is limited parking available onsite for visitors, including spaces in the main car park for Blue Badge holders.

Email: [email protected] .

Entering Hatfield

All visitors, aged 16 or older must prove their identity before entering the prison. Read the list of acceptable forms of ID when visiting a prison .

Whilst there is no routine searching of visitors, all visitors may receive a pat-down search prior to entering the visits hall this includes any children present. Security dogs may also be present at the time of visiting, and you may be sniffed by them.

Hatfield has a strict dress code policy, which means visitors should wear smart clothes (no vests, no low-cut tops, no shorts, no short dresses, and no headwear, other than that worn for religious reasons).

Refreshments are available during your visit at both sites.

There are strict controls on what you can take into Hatfield. You will be asked to place any items that are not permitted into lockers at the main gate. You can take in pushchairs, changing and feeding items for your baby.

Hatfield aims to provide an enjoyable visiting experience for families so expects you to be respectful and to always supervise your children.

You will be informed of the rules by an officer at the start of your visit. If you break the rules, your visit could be cancelled, and you could be banned from visiting again.

Please call the booking line if you have any questions about visiting.

Visiting facilities

Hatfield has a cafe in the visiting halls of both sites where you can buy hot and cold food and drinks.

Lockers are available for visitors to store items prior to entering the establishment.

At both sites there are areas set aside for children to play in. Email: [email protected]

Family days

HMP/YOI Hatfield runs several themed family days per year.

The days consist of family activities, crafts and quizzes themed around seasonal events.

Staff run the family days working in partnership with Reducing Re-offending , the Prison Advice and Care Trust , Novus and other internal departments.

Keep in touch with someone at Hatfield

There are several ways you can keep in touch with a prisoner during their time at Hatfield.

Secure video calls

HMP Hatfield is not currently able to facilitate secure video calls.

Phone calls

Prisoners do not have phones in their cells, they have phones on their landings which they are able to use to make outgoing calls, Prisoners will have to buy phone credits to make calls these can be purchased from their canteen, calls can be made anytime up to 10pm.

Prisoners can phone anyone named on their contact list of friends and family. This list is checked by security when they first arrive and may take a few days before they are able to call.

You can also exchange voicemails using the Prison Voicemail service .

Officers may listen to phone calls as a way of preventing crime and helping keep people safe.

You can send emails to someone in HMP Hatfield Prison using EmailaPrisoner.com . Through this service, family and friends can send a message this is then printed out and delivered by prison staff by hand.

Once you have signed up, you will receive an activation link via email which you must click on in order to activate your account and send a message.

You must buy a minimum of £5 credit in order to use the service,which runs at a cost of 40p per email and at no charge to the recipient.

You can write at any time.

Include the prisoner’s name and prisoner number on the envelope.

If you do not know their prisoner number, contact Hatfield .

All post, apart from legal letters, will be opened and checked by officers.

Send money and gifts

You can use the free and fast online service to send money to someone in prison .

You can no longer send money by bank transfer, cheque, postal order or send cash by post.

If you cannot use the online service, you may be able to apply for an exemption - for example if you:

are unable to use a computer, a smart phone or the internet
do not have a debit card

This will allow you to send money by post.

Gifts and parcels

Clothing and gifts cannot be sent into Hatfield, instead clothing is allowed to be exchanged during temporary release. Contact Hatfield for information on what’s allowed.

Friends and families of prisoners are permitted to send books directly to their loved one or they can order books direct from approved retailers, for the retailer to send directly to the prison.

For the full list of approved retailers, you can read the HMPPS Incentives Policy, Annex F .

Life at Hatfield

Hatfield is committed to pushing the boundaries and seeking new ways to improve and enhance resettlement in the community. The prison has an ethos of encouraging prisoners to take responsibility for their own lives while also respecting others.

If you have more general questions or concerns about how prisons operate and how prisoners are cared for you can find out more on the Prisoners’ Families Helpline website .

Security and safeguarding

Every person at Hatfield has a right to feel safe. The staff are responsible for their safeguarding and welfare at all times.

For further information about what to do when you are worried or concerned about someone in prison visit the Prisoners’ Families helpline website .

If you have any concerns about a prisoner at HMP Hatfield, contact the Safer Custody team via telephone:

01405 756 509 Find out about call charges

Arrival and first night

When a prisoner first arrives at Hatfield, they will be able to contact a family member by phone. This could be quite late in the evening, depending on the time they arrive.

They will get to speak to someone who will check how they’re feeling and ask about any immediate health and wellbeing needs.

Each person who arrives at Hatfield gets an induction that lasts about a week. They will meet professionals who will help them with:

health and wellbeing, including mental and sexual health.
any substance misuse issues, including drugs and alcohol.
personal development in custody and on release, including skills, education and training.
other support (sometimes called ‘interventions’), such as managing difficult emotions.

Everyone also finds out about the rules, fire safety, and how things like calls and visits work.

Everyone is given an induction booklet to keep for their own reference.

Accommodation

Hatfield is split across 2 sites, Hatfield Main site and Hatfield Lakes. The Lakes site is part of Hatfield but is 3 miles away, next to Lindholme Prison.

Hatfield Lakes is the smaller of the sites with 56 double cells. Prisoners can expect to spend their first 3 months at this site. Prisoners then get transferred to Hatfield Main which has 222 rooms.

There is a library and a gym at both sites.

Education and work

Prisoners at HMP Hatfield are encouraged to take part in meaningful activity and gain qualifications by enrolling into education and vocational training or work in one of the prison industries or domestic roles.

HMP Hatfield has purpose-built education suites offering training and education in:

industry - such as warehousing, maintenance, horticulture, recycling
retail - such as training as a barista or serving in the farm shop
charity - which is run by external companies such as Recycling Lives
physical education - such as recreational PE programmes, navigation awards, basketball and first aid

HMP Hatfield engage with a large and diverse portfolio of employers who offer paid employment to prisoners via temporary release.

There are also resettlement services that offer advice on housing, debt management and help with finding employment.

Temporary release

At a suitable point after transfer, prisoners may access opportunities via release on temporary licence (ROTL). There is a full and robust risk assessment involving many partner agencies. ROTL allows prisoners to access work, further training and maintain family ties in the community.

Support for family and friends

Find out about advice and helplines for family and friends .

If you or a member of your family are under pressure to do anything against your will, please telephone this number. You can remain anonymous, and calls are treated in the strictest confidence.

Telephone: 01302 522 607

To contact our head of family provision at HMP/YOI Hatfield email: [email protected] .

The Head of Reducing Reoffending is our Family and Significant Others (FaSO) lead and is responsible for our overarching FaSO strategy.

Support at Hatfield

Hatfield’s family support provider is the Prison Advice and Care Trust . There is a helpline which offers practical and emotional help and advice to anyone who is affected by imprisonment.

Telephone: 0808 808 3444 Open Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm

Concerns, problems and complaints

In an emergency.

Call 01405 746500 if you think a prisoner is at immediate risk of harm. Ask for the Orderly Officer and explain that your concern is an emergency.

Problems and complaints

If you have any other problem contact Hatfield .

Inspection reports

HM Prison and Probation Service publishes action plans for Hatfield in response to independent inspections.

Contact Hatfield prison

Governor: Mick Mills

Telephone: (24 hours): 01405 746 500 Fax: 01405 746 501 Find out about call charges

Follow Hatfield on Twitter/X

Telephone: 01302 524 600

Updated visiting guidance based on 1 April COVID rule changes

Added link to new safer custody information under Security and safeguarding.

Updated visiting information: Testing for visitors aged 12 and over.

Updated rules for sending in money and gifts.

Added link to information about testing for physical contact at visits.

New visiting times and booking information added.

Updated visiting information in line with coronavirus restrictions.

Updated visit info

Updated visiting information in line with new local restriction tiers.

Updated visiting information in line with coronavirus restrictions.

Updated: HMP Hatfield visiting times and visiting procedure changes during coronavirus.

added survey link

Prison visits update.

First published.

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Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.

To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. Please fill in this survey (opens in a new tab) .

Visit Denmark

must places to visit in Denmark

Lindholm Hoje: Exploring the Ancient Viking Burial Site

Nestled on the picturesque northern coast of Denmark, Lindholm Hoje stands as a testament to the rich Viking history that once permeated the land.

This ancient burial site, located near the city of Aalborg, offers a captivating glimpse into the lives and rituals of the Norse warriors who roamed these lands centuries ago.

Join us as we embark on a journey to uncover the mysteries and significance of Lindholm Hoje.

Lindholm Hoje, with its sprawling landscape and striking burial mounds, is a mesmerizing sight to behold.

The site dates back to the Viking Age, spanning from the 5th to the 11th century AD. It is believed to have served as a burial ground for the Vikings, where they laid their fallen warriors to rest in a manner befitting their honor and valor.

As you explore Lindholm Hoje, you’ll encounter an array of burial mounds and stone circles that dot the landscape.

The burial mounds, known as tumuli, vary in size and shape, with some reaching impressive heights. These mounds were constructed to house the remains of the deceased, along with valuable possessions and offerings for the afterlife.

One of the most intriguing features of Lindholm Hoje is the presence of stone ship settings. These intricate arrangements of stones, shaped like longships, were created to symbolize the Viking’s connection to the sea and their legendary seafaring prowess. They serve as a poignant reminder of the importance of maritime exploration and trade in Viking culture.

As you stand amidst the ancient burial mounds and stone settings, you can’t help but feel a sense of awe and reverence. It is as if the spirits of the Viking ancestors still linger in the air, whispering tales of their past triumphs and adventures.

To gain a deeper understanding of Lindholm Hoje and its historical significance, a visit to the Lindholm Hoje Museum is highly recommended.

As you wander through the museum, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about the meticulous archaeological excavations that have taken place at Lindholm Hoje. The discoveries made by archaeologists have shed light on the burial practices, social structure, and cultural traditions of the Vikings.

Beyond the historical and archaeological significance, Lindholm Hoje offers a serene and contemplative atmosphere.

The vast open landscape, with its panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and the Limfjord, invites visitors to reflect on the passage of time and the eternal cycle of life and death.

Lindholm Hoje also plays host to various events and activities throughout the year, allowing visitors to further immerse themselves in the Viking culture . From reenactments and historical festivals to guided tours and educational workshops, there are plenty of opportunities to delve deeper into the Viking world and experience it firsthand.

A visit to Lindholm Hoje is not just a journey into the past but also a chance to appreciate the enduring legacy of the Vikings.

It serves as a reminder of their indomitable spirit, their quest for exploration, and their profound impact on the history and culture of the Scandinavian region.

So, come and explore Lindholm Hoje, where the echoes of the Viking era resonate through time.

Stand amidst the ancient burial mounds, touch the weathered stones, and let the stories of the Vikings unfold before your eyes.

It is a journey that will transport you to a bygone era and leave you with a deeper appreciation for the remarkable civilization that once thrived on these shores.

By DenCeo07

Related post, the islands of denmark: a guide to unexplored beauty, bike touring denmark, denmark’s natural emblems: from mute swans to marguerite daisies, why skagen deserves your attention, exploring aarhus, a cultural haven: your ultimate guide.

DoingTime, a guide to prison and probation

Inspections at HMP Lindholme

The prison was inspected in July 2023. In their report the inspectors said:

Lindholme is a category C training prison that sprawls across a large, open site in South Yorkshire. At our last inspection in 2017, the biggest challenge facing the prison was the ingress of drugs. I am sorry to report that this problem has remained every bit as serious and continues to affect outcomes in many areas.

Half of the prisoners in our survey told us it was easy to get drugs and, most concerningly, 21% said they had developed a problem since coming to the jail. As well as being the cause of most deaths at the prison in recent years, drugs had also been responsible for debt problems that drove the higher than average and increasing levels of violence.

The size of the site meant that drones were often able to fly in contraband undetected and there was no routine searching of staff or X-ray machines at the gate. Inexplicably and despite bids from the jail, the prison service had failed to put in place the technological and physical solutions that have helped to reduce drug supply in other prisons.

It was heartening to see prisoners unlocked for longer than we have seen in most recent category C prison inspections, but there was not enough for them to do, and boredom encouraged drug-taking to pass the time. Leaders had failed to make sure there were sufficient places in education to meet the high demand, particularly in English and maths. The closure of two large hangers that had contained workshops further limited the offer, although the very good training kitchen and café continued to operate well. Too many prisoners were in part-time activities or were underemployed in wing work and there were not enough qualifications on offer.

The offender management unit (OMU) was staffed by a hard-working team, but they were woefully under-resourced, with nothing like enough team members to be able to provide for any more than the most urgent cases. When I walked round the jail, almost every prisoner I spoke to complained about the lack of support from the OMU. Many had a feeling of helplessness, unable to progress with their sentence or complete the non-existent accredited programmes that featured on many of their sentence plans. It was disappointing to find things even worse in this area than in 2017, when we also noted long-term failings.

Most prisoners complained about the food, particularly the lack of variety and small portions. This was compounded by price rises in the shop which meant that many men could not afford to supplement their limited diet.

Health care provided a good service for those who were able to get appointments, but staff shortages meant waits were far too long – up to five weeks to see a GP and 26 weeks to see an optician.

There were some notable positives at the jail: good work had been done to improve the treatment of new arrivals, a compassionate and professional team ran the segregation unit, and the governor and other leaders were active and visible around the site. Each prisoner had a laptop and we saw better functionality and use than in other prisons, with good communication from leaders and the opportunity to email family and friends. Family days were very popular and there were some excellent initiatives, such as charity runs that brought prisoners and staff together. It was good to see the opportunities for independent living on the enhanced spurs where prisoners could cook for themselves and were not locked in their cells. One of the more positive parts of this inspection was the quality of the staff and the excellent relationships that many of them had with prisoners.

Our lowest score of ‘poor’ for our healthy prison tests of purposeful activity and rehabilitation and release planning show that the jail is failing to fulfil its function as a training prison. Leaders must not accept this status quo and there needs to be concerted work to create an effective strategy to reduce the supply of drugs. This must be supported by the prison service in providing technology and funding for better gate security, without which the drug problem will remain intractable. As well as dealing with supply, the prison also needs to address demand by making sure that prisoners have enough to do during the day and are supported to progress with their sentences and reduce their risk of reoffending on release.

C harlie Taylor HM Chief Inspector of Prisons September 2023

The inspectors included a brief summary of key actions points for the prison

What needs to improve at HMP Lindholme

During this inspection we identified 15 key concerns, of which five should be treated as priorities. Priority concerns are those that are most important to improving outcomes for prisoners. They require immediate attention by leaders and managers.

Leaders should make sure that all concerns identified here are addressed and that progress is tracked through a plan which sets out how and when the concerns will be resolved. The plan should be provided to HMI Prisons.

Priority concerns

There was a very high level of illicit drug use in the prison, which was linked to violence, debt and deaths in custody. Remedial action was not sufficiently comprehensive or coordinated.
Prisoners had poor access to health services because of weaknesses in the application process and poor organisation of prison officer escorts to health care.
The prison was not adequately fulfilling its core function as a training establishment. The range, quantity and quality of education, skills and work were inadequate to meet the needs of prisoners.
Leaders had not implemented a curriculum that met the needs of the prison population. Few prisoners could study towards accredited qualifications or have their personal and employability skills developed and recognised to support successful transition to another prison or release.
Prisoners could not progress through their sentence and achieve their targets. Reasons included poor availability of offending behaviour interventions, a lack of progressive transfer opportunities and a severely understaffed offender management unit.

Key concerns

Not enough was done to encourage the high number of self[1]isolating prisoners to return to a normal regime.
Efforts to prevent self-harm were hindered by night staff not carrying ligature knives, lacking awareness of the needs of vulnerable individuals or the location of automatic external defibrillators. Cell observation panels were not kept clear.
The key working scheme was not well established. Only about a third of scheduled appointments were delivered and records showed that they rarely focused on progression goals.
Many cells were poorly ventilated and could become very hot. The ventilation screens in many cells were either blocked or painted shut.
Recent price rises in the canteen had sharply reduced the number of items that prisoners were able to buy.
Prisoners requiring transfer to specialist inpatient facilities under the Mental Health Act were waiting too long. One man in this category had been in the segregation unit for more than four months.
Leaders had not made sure that all prisoners were able to attend well-planned purposeful activity places that contributed to the fulfilment of their future goals.
Leaders had not made sure that all prisoners with low English and mathematics skills levels, and those with special educational needs, received the help they needed. Current strategies had failed to achieve their aim of raising prisoners’ participation in reading.
Leaders had not made sure that workshop instructors used information about prisoners’ existing levels to plan sessions which would help them develop valuable employability skills. Too often instructors focused on meeting production targets rather than providing training to prisoners.
Information-sharing and subsequent planning to support public protection were weak. High-risk prisoners due for release were not discussed at the interdepartmental risk management team meeting and concerns that should have been addressed before release were not adequately managed.

Return to Lindholme

The full reports can be read at the Ministry of Justice web site, just follow the links below:

Inspection report (1 MB) , Report on an unannounced inspection of HMP Lindholme by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons (17-27 July 2023)
HMP Lindholme – report (PDF) ( 509 kB ) , Report on a scrutiny visit to HMP Lindholme by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons 13 and 27-28 October 2020
HMP Lindholme (941.94 kB) , Report on an announced inspection of HMP Lindholme (2–6 October 2017)
HMP Lindholme (810.95 kB) , Report on an unannounced inspection of HMP Lindholme (7 – 18 March 2016)
HMP Lindholme, Unannounced inspection of HMP Lindholme (11–15 February 2013)
HMP Lindholme, Unannounced short follow-up inspection of HMP Lindholme (18 – 20 January 2011)
HMP Lindholme, Announced inspection of HMP Lindholme (29 October – 2 November 2007)

HMP Lindholme

Bawtry road hatfield woodhouse doncaster, dn7 6ee.