HMP Low Moss

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.

For all visits to Low Moss, visitors are required to bring photographic ID and proof of address (dated within the past 3 months).  The only forms of photographic ID that will be accepted are:  

• Valid Passport
• Valid Photographic Driving Licence (full or provisional)
• Citizen Card
• Senior Citizens Bus Pass Travel Card (issued by Scottish Government)

The only forms of proof of address that will be accepted are:

• Utility bill
• Council tax bill
• Bank statement
• Other letter from official source

Please note you must produce photo ID and proof of address at every visit.

Early Years Scotland operates the Family Visitor Centre (FVC) at HMP Low Moss, providing a welcoming, supportive, and child-friendly environment for families, friends, and loved ones visiting someone in prison.

The FVC plays a vital role in supporting family relationships and ensuring visitors feel informed, respected, and supported during what can be a difficult and emotional time.

Our Purpose

The Family Visitor Centre aims to:

• Enhance the prison visiting experience for families and visitors
• Provide independent, impartial advice, information, and practical support, tailored to individual circumstances
• Ensure that the voices and concerns of families affected by imprisonment are heard and recognised within the prison setting

Our Team

The FVC is delivered by a dedicated qualified team of experienced practitioners, including:

• Family Visitor Centre Co-ordinator
• Family Support Worker
• Family Engagement Practitioner
• Volunteers

The team offers guidance, reassurance, and emotional support, as well as practical assistance related to prison visits. Staff can also signpost families to relevant services and support organisations where additional help is needed.

Opening Times

Monday – Friday: 9.00am – 6.30pm

Saturday & Sunday: 1.00pm – 4.30pm

Contact Us

Phone: 0141 762 9730

Email: [email protected] 

Funding                                                                          

The Family Visitor Centre at HMP Low Moss is funded by the Scottish Government and Children in Need.

Support for Fathers and Young Children

Early Years Scotland also delivers a range of family-focused programmes at HMP Low Moss, supporting fathers and families with children aged 0–5 years, including:

• Fathers’ Programme
• Learning Together Through Play
• Baby Massage sessions

These programmes aim to strengthen relationships, support early childhood development, and encourage positive family connections and are facilitated by a qualified Early Years Family Engagement Practitioner.

Speak to the Family Visitor Centre team to find out more.

Official visits are facilitated by contacting 0141 762 9699 (Monday to Friday 08:30 – 12:00 and 13:00 – 16:00).  

There are a number of interview rooms, dedicated for Official/Legal visits. Official visitors to prison should be in possession of photographic ID provided by their respective agencies. Atrium staff will ask to see these to ensure they are satisfied of the person's identity. The official visitor will be required to provide the following information:

• Name of visitor;
• Agency being represented;
• Relationship to offender; and
• Name of offender to be visited

Agents are required to present their Law Society of Scotland ID Cards on arriving at the establishment. Any agent who does not possess a valid Law Society of Scotland ID Card can be permitted entry into a visit providing they can produce an endorsed letter (official headed paper) from the firm they represent along with another form of photographic ID. The only forms of photographic ID that will be accepted are:

• Valid Passport
• Valid Photographic Driving Licence (full or provisional)
• Citizen Card
• Senior Citizens Bus Pass Travel Card (issued by Scottish Government)

Once staff are satisfied that the correct identification and information has been given the visitor will be admitted to the visits suite. The design of the official visits suite ensures that all such visits take place within sight of staff however, out with hearing distance. This is to ensure the privacy of interviews taking place.

Information on legal visits by video link can be found below.

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.

Property for people in our care can be handed in to the atrium providing you have the relevant pro forma that stipulates the date and time.  It is the person in custody's responsibility to inform their visitor what they can hand in and when.  

The person handing in the property must be the one listed on the pro-forma and they must produce ID. Visitors will be issued with a receipt for the property.

The following items can be handed in without a pro-forma:

Socks, underwear, and prescription glasses. Clothes and shoes for attendance at court or funeral

Items can be handed in during the under noted times:  

• Monday to Friday 
  • 09:00 - 20:00
• Saturday and Sunday 
  • 09:00 - 16:30

You can post in property for people in our care, however the individual must have completed the relevant pro forma prior to the items arriving. The reference number on the proforma MUST be written on the front of the package or it will be returned to sender.

We recommend that any parcel is sent recorded delivery to ensure a tracked arrival (cost incurred at the post office).

You can post money in to an individual for their PPC, however we would strongly recommend using the online banking service instead.

If you do wish to post cash, a cheque or a postal order, please use 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.

Please note we can no longer accept cash handed in to the establishment.

• Bishopbriggs is connected to the M80 by Junction 2.
• The main road through Bishopbriggs is the A803 which connects Glasgow to Falkirk. 
• Low Moss is situated on B819 (Crosshill Road) approximately 0.5 mile from Strathkelvin Business Park.

• Low Moss can be accessed by approximately a 35 minutes bus ride from Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station, Service number 88. 
• The stop is located outside the prison on Crosshill Road and a 2 minute walk from the prison entrance.

• Low Moss can be accessed by train via the Glasgow/Edinburgh line. 
• Bishopbriggs Rail Station is just a short bus ride away from Low Moss via First Glasgow 88. 
• The stop is located outside the prison and a 2 minute walk from the prison entrance.