All individuals in custody book their own visits and have the responsibility to inform their visitors of the day and time of the visit.

Remand prisoners may have one visit daily, except Saturdays and Sundays – no visits are facilitated on these days. Maximum of 3 adult visitors, this does not include children (under the age of 16).

Visitors please note that hooded tops and outdoor coats/jackets are prohibited in the visit room. Cardigans must also be able to fasten up.

If you require additional support whilst visiting, please contact the establishment beforehand or, alternatively, speak to a member of vestibule staff on your arrival.

On entering the prison through the main door you will be required to present your identification to staff and they will log you in on the system.

Lockers are available for any belongings not permitted in the prison. You will need a £1 coin to operate the locker which is refundable. The only items permitted to take into the visit room are the locker key (if applicable), and change or a bank card for the vending machines.

If you have a baby with you, you can take in a plastic bottle with milk – no baby food is permitted, nappies and baby wipes will be provided. Prams and buggies are not permitted into  the visit room and can be parked by the lockers.

All visitors will be asked to walk through a metal detector and given a further search using a hand-held detector. You will then walk through a metal turn-style and enter a further door into a secure visitors waiting area. You can then use the facilities, read information leaflets and browse the noticeboards until your visit is called. There will likely be staff in this area to help you and offer guidance.

10 minutes prior to the visit session starting, visitors will be allowed access to the visit room. At this time you will be subject to 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.

On entering the visit room you will be assigned a seat. You will have access to a vending machine once during the visit, preferably at the start of the visit. You may eat and drink from the vending machine but you cannot share. Once visitors are seated the individual you are visiting will be brought in. There are toys available in the visit room for any children visiting.

You will be informed when the visit session is ending. At this time you should get up from your table and leave the visit room. Staff will then walk you back down the stairs and show you the exit to the prison. No one can exit the prison until all visitors have left the visit room.

We hope you will have enjoyed your time during your visit.

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.