r/PrisonTalk

My partner of 15 years had what appears to have been a severe mental health breakdown earlier this year and ended up on remand in prison. For weeks I genuinely thought something terrible had happened to him because all contact stopped completely. I’ve only recently found out where he is as he has been in segregation and have now spoken to him on the phone.

He sounded very emotional and has asked me to visit him this Saturday. It will be my first ever prison visit and honestly I feel incredibly nervous and overwhelmed. Part of me is relieved he’s alive and sounding more like himself, but another part of me is anxious about what it’s actually going to feel like seeing him there.

A few practical questions for anyone who has done this before:

- Is there a dress code?
- Are you allowed to hug them?
- What is the process like when you arrive?
- How early do you need to get there?
- What can/can’t you bring?
- Is it awkward or emotional seeing them for the first time?

For context, he’s in forest bank in Manchester.
Would really appreciate any advice because this is all very new to me.