Ford

Inside the prison and daily life

Ford is a men's open prison in Arundel, West Sussex. Its regime expects prisoners to work and prepare for the responsibilities they will face after release.

Work inside includes painting and decorating, carpentry, engineering and cleaning. Opportunities outside the prison can involve community placements, work experience or paid employment.

Academic and vocational qualifications are available through learning inside and outside the establishment. A virtual campus provides another route to educational material.

Visiting and family contact

Accommodation is in single cells. New arrivals receive an induction covering welfare needs, prison rules, education and arrangements for phone calls and visits.

Support organisations work with prisoners on practical and personal needs. Family services provide guidance to relatives and friends maintaining contact during a sentence.

Anyone planning a visit should check the current booking, identification and entry requirements. Changes in a prisoner's circumstances can also affect temporary release arrangements and require reassessment.

Role and background

Release on temporary licence requires approval through the prison's risk assessment process. Decisions consider the prisoner's circumstances and information from relevant agencies; an open setting does not mean unrestricted movement outside custody.

Practical advice before you make arrangements

Use Ford's official page below for its current booking route, required identification, permitted items and travel instructions.

Confirm that the person is still at Ford and that your visit has been accepted before making travel arrangements. Ask the prison in advance about disability access, medication or children's needs.

Community work or temporary release depends on individual approval and risk assessment; the establishment's open or community setting does not remove custody rules.