HMP Shotts

All people in custody book their own visits and have the responsibility to inform their visitors of the day and time of the visit. Below is a list of identification requirements, the times of visits session, depending on the location of the individual, facilities and what you can expect coming to the prison.

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
• Other letter from official source

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

Please arrive in good time for the visit session. From 1st June 2025, the establishment will be operating a 15-minute cut-off to all visit sessions, this is to ensure that everyone can benefit from the full visit session. 

If you are running late, please contact the establishment on 01501 824000 so that staff can ensure the person in our care is ready and waiting for your arrival. Anyone arriving after the 15-minute cut off, who has not phoned, will not be permitted entry to the establishment. 

Everyone must book in with staff at the vestibule on arrival. You will have to put all valuables in the lockers provided and you will not be allowed to take a wallet or purse into the visit room. Lockers take £1, which is refundable.

All visitors will be asked to walk through a metal detector and may be given a rub down search by a member of staff. You will then have to climb a small flight of stairs to a secure waiting area. There is a lift available to any visitor who has difficulty accessing the waiting area via the stairs. At times, there may be the SPS Dog Unit working in the visit area, it’s nothing to worry about and you will be given clear instructions from staff. If you have any concerns please feel free to talk to a member of staff.

After a short time in the waiting room you will be allocated a specific numbered table in the visit room and allowed access to the main visit room. There is a number of coined refreshment machines located around the visit room for use.

The Family Contact Officer (FCO) is available every Monday 12:00-20:30 and one weekend every 4 weeks. In addition, staff from 'Getting Better Together' are available between Monday and Saturday. Please find a link to their website below for more information about their service.

There are toilet facilities, including disabled toilets and baby changing facilities as well as a children’s soft play area which is located in the visit room.

At Shotts we pride ourselves on making the visiting experience as relaxed and welcoming as possible with a supportive environment especially for first time visitors who are unsure of prison procedures. 

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.

All property and cash is posted at the senders own risk. All property must be accompanied with a valid pro-forma. Only one pro-forma per parcel.
You can post money in to an individual for their PPC, however we would strongly recommend using the online banking service or recorded/special delivery (costs incurred at the post office). When sending a cheque or postal order (again there is a cost incurred at the post office for the order) these should be made payable to the Scottish Prison Service, but please note the individual's details on the back of the order or cheque.

When posting cash, please ensure that the package is clearly marked with the recipient's details.

You can post in property for individuals, but they must have completed the pro-forma prior to the items arriving.  Mark the parcel for the Individual's attention.  To ensure the parcel arrives safely, you can send it recorded delivery (cost incurred at the post office).  

• Take junction 5 (exit to Shotts/Harthill)
• Merge onto take B7057
• Turn right onto Hirst Rd (B7066).
• Turn left onto Shotts Rd.
• Turn left onto Benhar Rd
• Turn right onto Calderhead Rd
• Turn right onto Shottskirk Rd
• Turn left onto Newmill and Canthill Rd

• At junction 5, take the B7057/​B7066 exit to Harthhill/​Shotts.
• Keep left towards B7057
• Turn right onto Hirst Rd/B7066
• Turn left onto Shotts Rd
• Turn right onto Calderhead Rd
• Turn right onto Shottskirk Rd
• Turn left onto Newmill and Canthill Rd

Hartwood Railway Station is 1.4 miles from the prison. As you leave Newmill Gardens towards Hartwood Road, bear left onto Hartwood Road. The road then changes to Newmill-Canthill Road where you will turn left onto road.

• Chatty's Taxis
  • 01501 822444 - High St, Shotts, Lanarkshire, ML7 5DR
• Private Hire Taxi
  • 01501 825555 - 215 Dyfrig Street, Shotts, Lanarkshire, ML7 4BY
• R Brand
  • 01501 771506 - 11 Meadow Crescent, Fauldhouse, Bathgate, West Lothian, EH47 9AX