The visitors’ centre provide meaningful support and information for families and friends affected by imprisonment.  If you have not visited a prison previously are advised to speak to staff, particularly if you are unsure of prison procedures.

The visitors’ centre has information notice, toilet facilities and lockers for any belongings which are not permitted in the visits hall. Staff will advise on this. £1 coin is required to use the locker.

On entering Addiewell you turn right into the visitors’ centre where you should deposit any property for the offender prior to the visits. You will be searched by trained staff, processed through the biometric- finger scan and then taken to the visits hall by staff.

Visitors will be directed to their allocated seat and will be met by offenders, who must remain seated in their allocated seat, at all times. The visits hall has a cafe with hot/cold refreshments and a children’s play area (parents are responsible for supervision). Staff will inform offenders and visitors when the visits are finished and will accompany visitors back to the visitors centre.

To gain access to the establishment for the purpose of visiting, you must have two forms of identification, one of which must be photographic ID, the other being proof of address.

Entry to the establishment will not be permitted without acceptable identification.

The following examples shall be accepted as suitable for photographic ID purposes:

• Valid Passport
• Photographic Driving Licence
• Citizen/Validate UK Card
• Senior Citizens Bus Pass
• Workplace photo ID card
• Photographic Bank Card
• other official photo ID i.e. membership card

The following examples shall be accepted as suitable for proof of address, provided it is less than 3 months old:

• Utility bill
• Council tax bill
• Benefit book
• other letter from official source

Official visitors require Identification cards.

Agents are required to carry their Law Society of Scotland ID Cards.

A Photographic Driving Licence can be used as an acceptable form of ID for both photographic ID and proof of address.

Child-specific visits are available throughout the SPS estate and are provided in addition to a person in custody statutory visiting rights.

They provide an opportunity for parents to interact with their child/children and spend time together in a relaxed environment.  These are applied for by the person in custody.

The factors detailed below are intended as a guide and each application should be considered on its own merits:

• The child or children must be under the age of 17.
• The person in custody requesting the visits must be the parent, stepparent, kinship carer of the child or have, or have had, the responsibility for the care and custody of the child. Applications may be considered where such a relationship has not been established however there should be compelling grounds for accessing these visits. Any exceptions to the normal criteria should be considered by a Head of Operations on an individual basis.
• Confirmation must be made there are no child protection/welfare concerns or issues; and
• Any parent who is allowed to have access to their child/children will normally be able to apply for children’s visits

Conditions of Children’s Visits:

• • The child must be accompanied to the visit by one approved responsible adult and this person will be aged 18 or over.
  • A person aged 16 or over may accompany a child with the prior approval of the head of operations at establishment.
  • The accompanying adult will be responsible for the care of the child during the visits.