There is a ramp for wheelchair access into the building and also a lift available to take visitors into the visit rooms. Everyone attending the prison for a visit must book in at the front desk, at least 15 minutes before the visit session starts. This is to allow sufficient time to process your details.

On entering the main door of the prison, there is a front desk with prison officers staffing it. You will be required to present your identification to the staff. You will then be given a seat allocation for the visits room and then you will proceed to the visitors waiting area. In the visitor waiting area there is a crèche, toilet facilities, a baby changing area is available and an information hub. Loose change (no notes) and bank cards can be taken to the visit room. Everything else including outside clothing, bags and valuables must be deposited in a locker.

All visitors will be given a rub down search by a member of staff.  At times, there may be the SPS Dog Unit operating at the visits – it’s nothing to worry about and you will be given instructions by the staff.  If you have any concerns at all – please talk to a member of staff.

If you have a baby with you, you can take a baby bottle with milk – no baby food or glass jars are permitted. After a short time in the waiting area, you will be taken upstairs into the visit room where you will be directed to your seat. Visitors will be asked to take a seat and the prisoners will then be brought in.  The visit room has vending machines selling refreshments and confectionary, and a tea bar. There is also a play area staffed by Toybox, a volunteer organisation.

Over and above normal visits entitlement, Barlinnie runs Childrens Visits which are available to all prisoners and booked by them. These visits take place in a unique purpose built room, brightly coloured, cartoon themed room with a large soft play area, toys and library. The purpose of this visit is to encourage interaction and family bonding through play and activities. Places are limited to 10 per session and offenders are allocated 1 per month. Prisoners should also an FCO for a Child Visit Application form.

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.