HMP Forest Bank
HMP Forest Bank was opened in 2000 and is one of the largest prisons in the UK, holding 1064 male offenders. The prison serves the catchment of Wigan, Leigh, Bolton and Bury for adults. It also provides services for young offenders from Greater Manchester.
The capacity of the prison is 1,160.
Contact details
Address HMP Forest Bank, Agecroft Road, Pendlebury, Salford, M27 8FB
Telephone: 0161 925 7000
Fax 0161 925 7001
Key officials
Director: Trevor Shortt
Controller: Brian Langan
Visiting information
Social visits: Mon - Fri: 13:00 - 19:30
Sat - Sun: 08:00 - 11.30 and 12.30-17.00
Legal visits: Mon – Fri: 08.00-17.00
Additional information: The visitors centre opens half an hour before visiting starts. There is a Partners for prisoners (POPs) run canteen in the main visits hall. A play area for children aged 2-12 years is also available.
How to get there:
Click here for a map to HMP Forest Bank
By road: Forest Bank is on the A6044, 3 miles from the centre of Manchester and 1.5 miles from junction 17 of the M60. A visitors’ car park is situated to the right of the staff car park.
- By bus: from Manchester City Centre take bus numbers 93 or 95 from Cannon Street to the Cusson Soap Works, walk up to the mini roundabout and turn left. HMP Forest Bank is approximately 100 metres on the right. From Bolton, Moor Lane Bus Station, take bus numbers 8, 9 or 28 to the Henry Boddington Pub. On getting off the bus, turn back towards the traffic lights and turn right down Agecroft Road. HMP Forest Bank is approximately 1000 metres on the left. From Swinton Train Station, take bus number 484, which runs once an hour at 15 minutes to the hour. This bus stops outside HMP Forest Bank.
By train: from Manchester Victoria, take the train to Swinton and then pick up bus number 484 as above (this service does not run on a Sunday).
