All visitors are required to arrive 15 minutes prior to the visit starting.  Any person who arrives after the visit has started will not be permitted entry.

All visitors will be photographed on their initial visit and the officers will check that visitors have pre-booked a visit for the appropriate time. Staff will ask visitors to deposit belongings, including handbags, in designated lockers in the atrium area. Visitors will be asked to remove outer clothing and this will be put through the x-ray machine (Outdoor jackets are not permitted in the prison). After walking through the metal detector visitors can then go through to the family and friends waiting area where they will be seated until it is time to move into the visit room.

Within the family and friends centre there are drink and snack vending machines. Items from these machines can only be consumed within the family and friends centre and cannot be taken through to the visit room.

There are vending machines located within the visits room where visitors will have the opportunity to buy food and drink.  These accept cash or card.

Within the family and friends centre there are information boards on the walls providing information on support available to visitors and families.  There is also regular attendance from external organisations which specialise in supporting families of those imprisoned and we also have a Family Contact Officer who is available to speak with any visitors on request.

On moving into the visit room you will pass through the search area.  Officers will ask all visitor to consent to a rub down search by an officer of the same gender as the visitor. If a rub down search is refused then a closed visit will be offered. At times the SPS dog unit may conduct passive searches prior to entering into the visit room. It’s nothing to worry about as the dogs are well trained and friendly and you will be given clear guidance by the handler. If you have any concerns at all, please talk to a member of staff. Visitors will remain in the family & friends centre until they are called for their visit.

Should visitors have to leave the family and friends centre for any reason they will have to be processed as a new arrival if/when they wish to return.

Low Moss can facilitate those who may require wheelchair access or who have mobility difficulties. If you require additional assistance please do not hesitate to contact us prior to attending.

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.