Visiting Information

 

The following information is intended to relieve some of the stresses associated with Prison visiting.  If any problem arises from your visit to Polmont please do not hesitate to speak to a member of staff who will put you in touch with one of our Family Contact Development Officers (FCDO)

 

For prisoner correspondence please address all your letters to: -

Number & Name

Location / Hall

HM YOI POLMONT

Brightons

Falkirk

FK2 0AB

VISITING      How To Get to Polmont YOI?

By Car
The prison lies 3 miles south east of Falkirk on the B805 road.

From the North
M90 to the Forth Road Bridge, M9 West to Junction 4 Or A9, M9 East to Junction 4

From the East
M8 West to Junction 4 Or M9 West to Junction 4

From the South
M74, A8 to M8 east to Junction 4

From the West
M80, A80, M876 to M9 East to Junction 4 or M8 to Junction 4

M9 Junction 4
Linlithgow / Bathgate, follow sings for Polmont Approx 3 miles.

M8 Junction 4
Bathgate, Follow signs for Falkirk Approx 10 miles.      

The prison is in Brightons near Polmont follow the strategic traffic signs along the way.

Is There Car Parking Facilities? Yes.

Visitors may use the Visitors Car Park situated on the Left Hand Side of the Main Drive Facing the Establishment. During building work until 2009 the parking facilities may vary.

Visitors are requested to leave EXCESS BAGGAGE or FOODSTUFFS in their vehicles.

We have 1 car parking space available for disabled drivers situated directly outside the main gate.

By Train
From Edinburgh Waverley, the Dunblane train at 18 and 48 minutes past the hour Monday to Saturday and at half past the hour on Sundays. From Glasgow Queen Street; half past the hour Monday to Saturday and on the hour on Sundays.

There is a good 15 minute walk from the railway station but taxis are available at the station, telephone (01324) 623 999. There is a shorter route to walk via the canal path, accessible from the canal bridge a short distance along from the railway bridge.

By Bus
There are regular bus services from Glasgow and Edinburgh to Falkirk. From Falkirk the Maddiston bus service reaches the establishment.

 

New Admissions Visits

Each new convicted arrival is entitled to an admission visit. 

This visit must be taken within a 7-day period from his admission to Polmont.

 

No property will be accepted on an Admission Visit. Unless you have a Proform

 

Please note that when the visit Room is exceptionally busy a delay may occur.  Could all visitors endeavour to book into the Visit Room at least 15 minutes before their allotted time.

 

How Many Visitors Are Allowed?

 

Young offenders can have a maximum of 3 named adult visitors plus children (under the age of 16) at one visit.

All Visitors must have I.D. including children.

If you are unsure if a visit has been booked for you.  Please contact the Visits.

 

Do I Need A Visit Pass?   No

 

Polmont Convicted visit booking system; 

All Young Offenders supply the time and date of the visit they wish to book to the staff. He will then contact you and advise you of the time and date of the visit. Only the individuals listed on the Young Offenders visitor’s list will be allowed access to Polmont during visit sessions. All people visiting Young Offenders are required to present at least two forms of identification, preferably photographic e.g. Driving License, Passport, bankcard, utilities bill, e.g. (gas, electric, phone) with name and home address of visitor.

 

Polmont Untried/Remand Visit Booking system
Young Offenders require their visitors to book two days in advance on a dedicated Telephone Hotline; 01324 722206 the line is open from 0800-1200 and 1930-2010 Monday to Friday. You phone in and supply details of the people visiting the prison.

Monday for Wednesday

Tuesday for Thursday

Wednesday for Friday

Thursday for Saturday & Sunday

Friday for Monday & Tuesday

Untried can have daily visits but are not entitled to admission visits.

 

Polmont Remand/Untried Visitors who have not booked a session in advance will not be allowed entry.

 

Professionals Visiting Polmont

Professional persons (solicitors, advocates, agents, social workers etc) wishing to visit HM YOI Polmont to see clients.

Appointments to see Young Offenders can be made by phoning 01324 722350.

Appointments are Monday to Friday 0900-1130 and 1330-1600.

Evening and weekend appointments can be arranged with the agreement of the visit manager.

Any complaints or queries that cannot be answered by the phoning the above number can either call the visit manager 01324 722226 or write to the governor. 

What Can I Expect On My Arrival?

 

On arrival you should report to the Visit book-in desk where an Officer will have a list of all visits taking place, I.D will be requested. If you are not listed, you will be refused entry to the visit room.  All other visitors will be directed to the Visit Room. 

Once your visit has been confirmed, you may hand in PROPERTY, provided it is accompanied by a PROFORM sent out by the Young Offender you are visiting.

 

No property will be accepted on an admission Visit. Unless you have a Proform

 

You are not permitted to take bags, food, and pushchairs into the visit room.  A limited amount of baby seats and high chairs are available on request. Smoking is not permitted in any part of the prison.

 

Under the Prison and Young Offenders Rules (Scotland) 2006 Rule 102 you may be asked to participate in an outer body and baggage search.

 

Can I Hand Money In?  YES

 

Money should be handed to the Visit Reception Officer who will issue you with a receipt.  This should be done prior to your visit.  Maximum £20 cash may be handed in per visit for convicted prisoners, £50 for untried/remand.

 

RULES ON BRINGING IN PROPERTY, CLOTHING AND OTHER ITEMS

The Young offender will send you a PROFORM prior to your visit, listing the approved items.  The PROFORM must be handed to the visit Reception Officer on your arrival. 

Please note that only the items listed on the PROFORM can be accepted. You can bring less of an item but not more than is on the proform.

 

ü  No food or drink will be accepted.

ü  Jewelry items should not have a replacement value of over £20

ü  All Radio/Hi-fi’s being handed in must not have recording facilities.  A qualified Electrician (a work receipt must be provided prior to acceptance) must remove this Facility.  Power Leads must have sealed safety plugs.

ü  All newspapers and magazines for young offenders must be ordered from local newsagent S.McNeil tel. O1324 712314.

ü  NO Pornography allowed.

ü  If regional papers are not available from this outlet, only those sent direct from the publishers will be accepted.

ü  Cell Hobby Kits:- must have water-based glues.  Toxic inflammable glues will not be accepted.

ü  Shoes will not be accepted:- if they have any metal in their make-up.

ü  The items listed will be issued to the Young Offender at his own risk.  H.M.Y.O.I. Polmont will not be responsible or liable for loss or damage to the items.  The privilege of having them in use may be withheld at the discretion of the Governor and may be forfeited under Polmont’s Incentives and Earned Privileges Scheme.

 

Please refer to Incentives and Privileges property allowance on general page

 

No unattended under 16s

Under 16 year old children will not be allowed entry unless accompanied by their parent or guardian, you must have documented proof that you are the parent/guardian before the child will be allowed entry.

 

Toilet Facilities

There are male, female and disabled toilet facilities located in the visitor’s waiting room.  There are Baby Changing facilities in the female toilets.

 

What Facilities Are Available For Children?

There is a basic children’s play area located in the main visit room.  Children toys must not be removed from the play area.  Bottle warming facilities, high chairs, baby seats are available on request.

 

Visitors are reminded that they are responsible for the safety and supervision of their children at all times.

 

Am I Able To Purchase Refreshments?  YES

 

The Polmont Volunteers operate a canteen facility daily, where filled sandwiches; cakes, biscuits, sweets, juice; tea or coffee can be purchased.  Only items purchased in the visit room can be consumed during visits. Please use the canteen when it is open as all profits from this facility are donated to the Common Good fund, which is utalised to provide children’s play equipment for the Visit Room and additional comforts and facilities for the Young offenders in the prison.

Vending Machines are accessible within the visit room for sessions where the Volunteers canteen is closed.

 

We Value Your Opinion

At Polmont we are constantly seeking to identify new ways of improving our visit facilities.  Should you have any ideas or suggestions, please feel free to approach any member of the visit staff.

 

We hope that information contained in these notes has helped you.  If however, you have additional problems or difficulties with your visit, please speak to a member of staff or ask to be referred to the Family contact Development Officer FCDO Telephone 01324 722374.

 

Can I get help with the cost of prison visits? (APVU)

If you are aged 18 or over and on a qualifying income, you may be able to get help with the cost of travel when visiting a close relative or partner through the Prison Service, Assisted Prison Visits Scheme.

What is a ‘close relative or partner'?
A close relative means a wife, husband, daughter, son, parent, grandparent, sister, brother, civil partner or a step or adoptive parent/child/brother/sister.
A partner means someone who lived with the prisoner, as a couple, immediately before they were sent to prison.

I am under 18 and a close relative/partner, can I get help?
Yes but the person who supports you financially must be on a qualifying income as described below. Persons aged under 18 are not normally allowed to visit a prisoner alone. Someone will therefore need to accompany you and apply for assistance.

Can anyone else claim assistance?
Yes but they must be the prisoner's only visitor and on a qualifying income.

What is a ‘qualifying income'?
Qualifying income means you must be getting one of the following:

• Income Support
• Income-Based Job Seeker's Allowance
• Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit with Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit with a disability element. In all cases annual income as shown on the award notice must not exceed £16,017
• Pension Credit
• Help with healthcare costs because you have been awarded a HC2 or HC3 certificate.

I need help during the journey. Can someone accompany me?
Yes but you must be aged over 75 or need help due to a medical condition.

Where can I get more information and an application form?

Ask at the establishment you are visiting or visitors' centre (if they have one) or the FCDO, or contact:

Assisted Prison Visits Unit
PO Box 2152
Birmingham
B15 1SD

Phone: 0845 300 1423 (Mon to Fri 10:15-11:45 & 14:15-15:45)
Text phone: 0845 304 0800 (times as above)
Fax: 0121 626 3474 (24 hrs)

Information in Braille and on audio cassette (both under review) is available from the Assisted Prison Visits Unit.

Assistance with travelling expenses (APVU) information above is a quick reference guide, you should fully enquire about your own circumstances as you may well qualify.

Visit Sessions

 

	Morning	Session 1 PM	Session 2 PM		Session 3 Evening
		All Convicted	All Convicted		All Remand/ Untried
Monday	Agents	Young Adults	Young Adults		Young Adults
		You must book in no later than 1.15	You must book in no later than 2.45		You must book in no later than 19.00
		1.45pm-2.45pm	3.15pm-4.15pm		7.15pm - 8.15pm
		All Remand/ Untried	All Convicted		All Convicted
Tuesday	Agents	Young Adults	Young Adults		Young Adults
		You must book in no later than 1.15	You must book in no later than 2.45		You Must book in no later than 19.00
		1.45pm-2.45pm	3.15pm-4.15pm		7.15pm - 8.15pm
		All Convicted	All Remand/ Untried		All Remand/ Untried
Wednesday	Agents	Young Adults	Young Adults		Young Adults
		You must book in no later than 1.15	You must book in no later than 2.45		You must book in no later than 19.00
		1.45pm-2.45pm	3.15pm-4.15pm		7.15pm - 8.15pm
		All Convicted	All Remand/ Untried		All Convicted
Thursday	Agents	Young Adults	Young Adults		Young Adults
		You must book in no later than 1.15	You must book in no later than 2.45		You Must book in no later than 19.00
		1.45pm-2.45pm	3.15pm-4.15pm		7.15pm - 8.15pm
		All Remand/ Untried	All Convicted		All Convicted
Friday	Agents	Young Adults	Young Adults		Young Adults
		You must book in no later than 1.15	You must book in no later than 2.45		You Must book in no later than 19.00
		1.45pm-2.45pm	3.15pm-4.15pm		7.15pm - 8.15pm
	Session 1 Morning		Session 2 PM	Session 3 PM	NO Evening W/END
	All Remand/ Untried		All Convicted	All Convicted
Saturday	Young Adults		Young Adults	Young Adults
	You must book in no later than 11.00am		You must book in no later than 1.40	You must book in no later than 3.00
	11.15am-12.00		2.00pm-2.45pm	3.25-4.10pm
	All Remand/ Untried		All Convicted	All Convicted
Sunday	Young Adults		Young Adults	Young Adults
	You must book in no later than 11.00am		You must book in no later than 1.40	You must book in no later than 3.00
	11.15am-12.00		2.00pm-2.45pm	3.25-4.10pm

 

 

Please note: -

You must book-in at the “No Later Than” time stated about for your session.

This will ensure that you receive a full visit session.

All visits sessions will cease at the times detailed above.

No person will be allowed into a visit 30 minutes after it has started.

 

Complaints or Comments about your Visits

The FCDO is available during normal working hours. Any complaints can be referred to the Visit Manager or Duty Manager who will be on duty at that time or in writing to the Governor. You may also complete a Visitors Comments Form, which are available in the Visits Waiting Room. These will be passed to the FCDO Manager who will respond to your any issues that you have raised.

 

Access to the Governor during Visits

A Duty Governor can be contacted if urgently required but the Manager of the specific area in question can be called on for assistance that might be more readily acquainted with the subject if required. We would however ask that you try and resolve the matter with the visit staff or the FCDO on duty.