Thameside

Inside the prison and daily life

Thameside is a privately operated men's prison in Thamesmead, in the Royal Borough of Greenwich. Serco has run the establishment since it opened in 2012. It is a local category B resettlement prison next to Belmarsh and holds both men on remand and men who have been convicted.

Role and background

That mixed role matters. People held on remand have not necessarily been convicted of the charge for which they are awaiting trial, while sentenced prisoners may be working towards release. A prison profile should preserve that distinction instead of treating everyone in custody as having the same legal position.

The operator describes a capacity of 1,232 places. Capacity is the number of places described for the establishment, rather than a verified count of how many men are inside on a particular day. Serco also provides psychological services within its prison operations, with Thameside among the establishments covered.

Visiting and family contact

The prison's public visitor information sets out booking, identification and searching arrangements. Families need to use the current social-visits information and confirm what they may bring. Approved contact and support during custody are practical parts of understanding the establishment alongside its security category and resettlement role.

Anyone arranging a visit should check the latest booking rules, identification requirements and accessibility arrangements before travelling. Education and work described here are provision offered, rather than a guarantee of individual access or outcomes.

Practical advice before you make arrangements

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

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