The Friends of Erlestoke Prison helps to support offenders with the challenges of resettlement and rehabilitation. We fund projects which:
Help offenders face up to the impact of their crimes
Help offenders develop skills and behaviours which will help them to find employment
Bring fathers closer to their families, especially those with children
Improve prisoner health and well-being
Raise local awareness about the work of the prison
Our programmes within HMP Erlestoke
As things slowly return to normal in HMP Erlestoke and across the prison estate generally, we are currently focusing our resources on the build of a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA). If you would like to support this project, you can donate via Justgiving here. Any support that you can give us would be really appreciated particularly as fundraising has been challenging during the pandemic.
Origami Inside
Despite the Friends not being able to continue with our origami classes, our teacher, Helen Holtam has encouraged prisoners to carry on making cards for all occasions and sculptures. These are now available for sale on the Origami Inside website. All sales from the site go to the Friends of Erlestoke Prison, so please make a visit and browse the products! We are very grateful to Helen who has kept this activity going despite the COVID-19 restrictions.
New Transport Scheme Coordinator
We are sorry to say goodbye to Sally-Anne who has left the Transport Scheme Coordinator role and we would like to wish her every success in her new ventures. Thank you to Sally-Anne for all her support to the Scheme over the last 3 years.
We are pleased to welcome Shirley Carr who joined the Friends on the 30th March to take over from Sally-Anne. The Scheme phone numbers and email remain the same.
Visits and Transport Service
To access our Transport Service, please contact Shirley on 07504 987190 with the date and time that you require a lift, the number of persons and where you would like to be picked up. Or you can book via email.
If you (or you know of anyone) who would like to join us as a volunteer driver, please click here.
Welcome to our New Patron!
We are pleased to welcome Sir Charles Hobhouse to the Friends as our newest Patron. Charles has recently stepped down from the role of High Sheriff of Wiltshire. He has a long standing interest in criminal justice, particularly prisons and mental health and was a keen supporter of the Friends during his time as High Sheriff. We are delighted that he has agreed to be one of our Patrons.
If you have a concern about an offender, please call the prison on the 'Safer Custody' phone number: 01380 814373
Keep updated about current Covid restrictions on www.gov.uk
Book a talk to learn about our work
We believe that developing understanding about prisons in the local community is important. We therefore give talks to local groups in Wiltshire about HMP Erlestoke and the work of the Friends. If you would like us to visit your group to provide such a talk, please contact us to learn more.
Annual Reports
Our 2020/21 report is available here
Our financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2021 are available here
Our 2019/20 report is available here
Our financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2020 are available here
Our 2018/19 report is available here
The 2017/18 report is available here
The 2016/17 report is available here
The 2015/16 report is available here
The 2014/15 report is available here.