HMP Edinburgh is a large community facing establishment receiving prisoners predominantly from courts in Edinburgh and the Lothians and Borders, but including prisoners from the Kirkcaldy courts and Fife area.

Adult male prisoners of all categories (remand and convicted) from these areas are held and as a result the establishment has close links with the Lothian and Borders Community Justice Authority.

HMP Edinburgh also holds specific national populations including women, sex offenders and non-offence protection prisoners.

Edinburgh is the first prison to introduce Prison Watch Scotland. This initiative was launched on 22 February 2011. Prison Watch is a scheme similar to Neighbourhood Watch, but deals with the area around HMP Edinburgh. Created in Partnership with the Scottish Prison Service, Lothian & Borders Police and City of Edinburgh Council. The most important person involved is members of the public - those who live and work locally or visit the prison regularly and want to play a part in maintaining the area.