HMP Dumfries

Please call 01387 261218 and choose Option 2 and then Option 1, or use extension 4603. 

If you are not listed as a visitor, staff will contact the individual concerned to seek permission to add you and your friends on his list. Visits should be booked 24 hours in advance.

Call 01387 261218 choosing Option 2 and then Option 3 or use extension 4603.

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. Entry to the prison 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
• Bank statement
• Other letter from official source

Official visitors require Identification cards. Agents are required to carry their Law Society of Scotland ID Cards.

Visitors attending the prison for a visit should ensure they arrive at the vestibule at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the visit. No one arriving thereafter is guaranteed entry to the visits. 

You will first enter the vestibule area, the front desk is to your left. You will be required to present your identification to staff. The vestibule area provides lockers for any belongings you are not permitted to take into the establishment. You will be provided with a key, which you will hand back in exchange for your belongings at the end of the visit session.

All visitors will be asked to walk through a metal detector and given a rub down search by a member of staff. At times, there may be the SPS Dog Unit operating at the visits, it is 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. There are toilet facilities available in the visit waiting Area.

Once in the visit room visitors will be asked to take a seat and the offenders will then be brought in.  You will be made aware five minutes prior to the end of the session and at the end of the session, offenders will leave first and then visitors will be asked to exit.

'Friends of Dumfries' operate a small café, with limited stock, selling tea, coffee, sandwiches, crisps and sweets. There is a disabled toilet, which includes baby changing facilities. The visits room is equipped with toys and games as well as a children’s soft play area. The soft play area is for children 0-5 or less than 1.20 metres; this area is not supervised and is the responsibility of the parents to ensure their child’s safety.

Click here for information on the Scottish Legal Aid Board web site for solicitors looking to register for and use video link technology to conduct meetings with their clients in custody.

Items will be posted and will enclose the Reception Proform, the package should be marked with the Prisoners Name and Prison Number and where possible the senders details. On receipt the Reception Officer will mark the items on the property card in the presence of the prisoner and the prisoner will sign the property card to confirm it is correct. Only items that are listed on the Proform and on the articles in use list will be allowed in use.

Money should be handed in to the Vestibule. The person handing in cash or cheques will inform the Vestibule Officer how much money they wish to hand in and for which prisoner. The specified amount is placed in the cash box and a receipt detailing the Visitors names, Prisoner name and number and the amount of money received is written and signed by the Vestibule Officer. The details are also noted through a logbook within the vestibule. Money can be handed in any time between 6.30am and 9.00pm.

You can post money in to an individual their PPC. We recommend that any cash, cheques and postal orders are sent by recorded/special delivery (costs incurred at the post office). Cheques and postal orders should be made payable to the Scottish Prison Service, but please note the individuals details on the back.

The most secure and efficient way of sending money is through your online banking. For more information on how to set up payments, please follow the link below. 

• Follow the road signs for Dumfries until you reach the Garroch Roundabout, where the new hospital will be sited, take the first exit sign posted Carlisle / Dumfries
• At the next roundabout take the second exit for A780, follow the road, Garden Wise sits to your right, on entry to the 30 limit continue to follow the road, you will pass “Budget” Car Garage on the left, then a school entrance
• Prior to traffic signals take left hand turn on to Terregles Street (speed bumps)
• Take third exit left, signpost for HM Prison sits at the bottom, visitors car park is to your right
• Disabled visitors can park next to the prison main gates, space marked for disabled parking. There is also a ramp and rail supports as aids next to the parking space

• Leave A74 sign posted for Moffat/Dumfries; continue on the A701 sign posted for Dumfries. Approximate distance 18 miles
• Stay on this road as you enter Dumfries, you will pass Gates Rubber Factory, and a Tesco Filling Station on your left hand side, at the roundabout head straight across and continue until you come to a large roundabout, which is the A75 Dumfries bypass
• At the A75 roundabout turn right heading towards Stranraer, continue along this bypass until you come to a roundabout over which sits a tall bridge, and take the second left sign posted for Dumfries Town Centre. Proceed through the first roundabout (Tesco will be on your right hand side), until you come to the next roundabout
• Turn right at this roundabout; continue through a mini roundabout, Queen of the South Arena will be on your left, until you come to the next mini roundabout, which is on Terregles Street
• At this roundabout turn left and follow the road, you will see a football stadium on your left hand side. Continue for fifty metres and you will see the signpost for the prison on the right hand side. Visitors have to park in the visitor’s car park
• Disabled visitors can park next to the prison main gates, space marked for disabled parking. There is also a ramp and rail supports as aids next to the parking space
• At this roundabout turn left and follow the road, you will see a football stadium on your left hand side. Continue for fifty metres and you will see the signpost for the prison on the right hand side. Visitors have to park in the visitor’s car park
• Disabled visitors can park next to the prison main gates, space marked for disabled parking
• There is also a ramp and rail supports as aids next to the parking space

• Follow signs for Dumfries
• Once into Residential area follow the road until you reach roundabout, McDonalds sits to your right. Continue straight across
• At the bypass roundabout, large bridge sits over, take the 3rd ext signposted Dumfries Town Centre
• Proceed through the first roundabout (Tesco will be on your right hand side ), until you come to the next roundabout
• Turn right at this roundabout; continue through a mini roundabout, Queen of the South Arena will be on your left, until you come to the next mini roundabout, which is on Terregles Street
• At this roundabout turn left.

Please refer to the ScotRail website

Refer to the Local bus timetable