Everyone attending the prison for a visit must book in at least 30 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 staffed by prison officers.

The staff will log you on to the system and you will require your identification.

You may take a small amount of cash with you for purchases in the visit room. You will not be allowed to take in a purse or wallet. All other items will need to be placed in a locker. Lockers are available which take a £1 coin or a shopping trolley token.

If you have a baby with you, you can take essentials such as a change of nappy, baby wipes and baby bottle with milk – no baby food is permitted.  The baby items must be left with the desk officer in the visit room, but you can access them when you need to.

Once the booking-in process has been completed you will then walk to the right-hand side of the desk, through a metal detector and a metal turn-style into a secure waiting area where there are toilets, hot/cold drinks and baby changing facilities. There will be staff in this area to help and offer guidance. There is a lift for those who are not able to use the stairs.

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.

Staff will conduct a rubdown search, you will be taken up to the visits room.  Staff will advise you of where you are sitting. Numbers will be called up in strict numerical order by staff.  At the end of the session visitors will leave first and then people in custody will be asked to exit.

There is a children’s play area. Please note visitors are responsible for supervising their children at all times.

There are also vending machines available which accept cash and card.

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.