Peterhead Prison - Visiting

 

How To Book Family/Friend Visit:

Visits are booked by prisoners.

It is the responsibility of the prisoner to notify the visitor of the date and time of the visit.

All visitors under 16 require to be approved through the social work department prior to visiting the establishment.

 

How To Book Agent Visit:

Agent's visits are booked by contacting the establishment switchboard. You will be directed to the main gate where an Officer will process your request.

 

Visiting Guidelines:

On entering the prison, visitors will find themselves in a small vestibule attended by a member of staff.

Visitors must have identification with them; this should include photographic evidence and proof of address.

Visitors will be allocated a visit area and table number, and issued with a token for a locker if required. No bags, food, cameras, tape recorders or mobile phones may be taken into the visit area. These should be placed in the lockers provided.

There are toilets and a coin operated telephone in this area as well as baby changing facilities.

Prior to going to the visit, visitors are asked to go through metal detection equipment similar to that used in airports. All items of baggage, jackets, coats, hats and gloves should be placed on the trays provided and you will be asked to display any metal objects detected by the equipment.

Under current regulations, visitors may also be asked to undergo a rub down search of their person, and any items being carried will also be checked.

HMP Peterhead operates a no smoking policy in line with current Government health advice. Visitors' co-operation in this matter is appreciated.

All visits are supervised by Prison Officers and are monitored by closed circuit television cameras linked to video recording equipment. Visitors involved in passing prohibited articles during a visit will be reported to the police. Visitors who pass prohibited articles may also be subject to further action in that they may be placed on closed visits or banned. Any prisoner found passing or receiving prohibited articles will be reported to the Governor and subsequently be placed on closed visits.

Visitors will be escorted to the visit room by a Prison Officer. The visit room is equipped with disabled toilets, baby changing equipment and vending machines which dispense a variety of drinks and confectionery. Items from these machines can be purchased for the person being visited, but can only be consumed at the visit. The visit area also has a child's play area.

 

Parking Facilities:

If approaching from the roundabout at MacDonald's, for car parking drive past the prison and take the second turn off on the right. The car park is situated on the left.

If approaching from Peterhead take the second turn on your left. The car park is situated on the left.

 

Disabled Facilities:

 There are disabled parking facilities at the main gate and the visit room is equipped with disabled toilets. A personal induction loop for hard of hearing can be provided on request. Should you require any further assistance please ask one of the supervising officers.

 

Visiting Times:

Wednesday afternoon 1.45 pm - 3.45 pm

Wednesday evening 7.00 pm - 8.30 pm

Friday evening 7.00 pm - 8.30 pm

Saturday and Sunday afternoon 2.00 pm - 4.00 pm

Please note that there is no admission to the prison prior to 1.10 pm at the weekends.

 

Handing In Property/Money:

Visitors are permitted to hand in money to prisoners. This can be in the form of cash or postal orders. Money or postal orders in excess of £30.00 must be accompanied by a pro-form. If it is less than £30.00, no pro-form is required. Money will be collected by the vestibule officer on your arrival who will also issue visitors with a receipt.

A reception officer will be available at the gate to deal with any property issues. He will check all items being handed in against the pro-form, which will be sent to the visitor by the prisoner, only items on this pro-forma will be allowed.

 

Posting In Property/Money:

Family or friends can send in money via post to a prisoner, this should be in the form of postal orders. Money or postal orders in excess of £30.00 must be accompanied by a pro-form. The prisoner will be issued with a receipt for the money. We do not recommend that you send cash through the post.

Family or friends can send in property but it must be accompanied by a pro-form which will be sent to the visitor by the prisoner and only items on this pro-form will be allowed.

 

Complaints/Comments:

If a visitor is not happy about an issue or they would like to provide comment on any issue the can so either verbally or in writing.

Making a complaint or comment verbally they should speak to one of the Officers in the first instance. If the Officer is not able to deal with the issue then they will forward to the Operations Manager for action.

In addition there are complaints forms available within the visitors waiting area. These should be deposited in the red letterbox within the vestibule area or handed to an officer.