VISITING

Smoking Policy
From 31 March 2008, staff, visitors and contractors will not be permitted to smoke within the boundary of any SPS establishment. This includes car parks and internal roads.

Help with Travelling Expenses
The Assisted Prisons Visits Unit can offer help to visitors who meet their criteria. For further information write to APVU, PO Box 2152, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 1SD, or telephone their Helpline 0845 300 1423 [10.15 - 11.45 and 14.15 - 15.45 Monday to Friday]. Forms are available from the Visitor Centre located opposite the entrance to the prison.

Families Outside (Formerly known as Scottish Forum on Prisoners Families)
Through the Families Outside information line you can get information about the prison system on FREEPHONE 0500 839383 from 1.00 pm until 5.00 pm Monday to Friday. Answering service outwith these hours.

How to Travel to the Prison  

By Car from the West
Take the M8 to Hermiston Roundabout and take the third turn off from this roundabout moving into the left hand lane for the exit to Calder Roundabout and the A71. Turn left on to the A71 and proceed along the A71 following signs for the City Centre. The prison is on the right after the third roundabout.

By Car from the North
Take the A90 to Barnton Roundabout, then take the Maybury Road (A902). Turn right at the end and proceed towards the Gogar Roundabout. Join the City Bypass (A720) and take first exit to City Centre. At Calder Roundabout turn left on to the A71 and follow signs for the City Centre. The prison is on the right after the third roundabout.

By Car from the East
Take the A1 to the City Bypass (A720), join the City Bypass proceeding West to the Calder Junction and the exit marked City Centre. At the Calder Roundabout turn right on to the A71 following signs for the City Centre. The prison is on the right after the third roundabout.

By Car from the South
The A68, A701, A702 and A7 all have access to the City Bypass (A720). Join the City Bypass proceeding West to the Calder Junction and the exit marked City Centre. At the Calder Roundabout turn right on to the A71 following signs for the City Centre. The prison is on the right after the third roundabout.

By Bus
Lothian Buses (coloured red & white or maroon) Nos. 3, 3A, 25 and 33 from Princes Street via Haymarket or No. 30 from Princes Street via West Approach Road pass the entrance to the Prison. First buses (coloured magenta) Nos. 27 and 28 also link Princes Street and the Prison.

By Train
Currently all train services to Edinburgh run through Haymarket and Waverly Stations, Haymarket being closest to the prison. The above noted buses would then provide the link to the prison.

Visiting Times

ALL Visitors must book in to the Visitors Centre 30 minutes before the start time of their visit.

The Visitors Centre, which is situated opposite the main Prison entrance, is a purpose built, award winning design which was completed in March 2000. Funded by an external charitable trust and built in partnership with the SPS, it was the first such project undertaken in Scotland. It is equipped with lockfast storage for visitor’s belongings, children’s play areas, toilets, eating area and a cafeteria and also acts as a reception for recording prisoners visitors’ arrivals.

The Centre is currently run by the Salvation Army and is generally open between 9 am and 9 pm Monday to Friday and 1 pm and 4.30 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Visitors coming to the prison for the first time will find the Visitors Centre staff can provide helpful information on the procedure for gaining access to the prison. It also acts as a reception for recording prisoner visitors' arrivals.

As of 29 January 2007, all prisoners’ visitors shall be required to provide photographic identification prior to entry into the Establishment (SPS Security Standard 1.2).

	Hermiston	Ingliston	Remand
Mon	7.45 – 8.30 pm	6.15 – 7.00 pm	2.30 - 3.00 pm 3.30 - 4.00 pm
Tues	6.15 – 7.00 pm	7.45 – 8.30 pm	1.30 - 2.00 pm 2.30 - 3.00 pm 3.30 - 4.00 pm
Wed	7.45 – 8.30 pm	6.15 – 7.00 pm 7.45 – 8.30 pm	1.30 - 2.00 pm 2.30 - 3.00 pm 3.30 - 4.00 pm
Thur	6.15 – 7.00 pm	7.45 – 8.30 pm	1.30 - 2.00 pm 2.30 - 3.00 pm 3.30 - 4.00 pm
Fri	6.15 - 7.15 pm 7.45 - 8.45 pm	6.15 - 7.15 pm 7.45 - 8.45 pm	1.30 - 2.00 pm 2.30 - 3.00 pm 3.30 - 4.00 pm
Sat	No Visits	No Visits	2.15 - 2.45 pm 3.15 - 3.45 pm
Sun	2.15 - 3.45 pm	2.15 - 3.45 pm	No Visits
Please note that Segregation Unit visits are held on afternoons only from 2.30 - 3.00 pm and 3.30 - 4.00 pm

Searching of Visitors

Searching of visitors entering Edinburgh prison may be carried out (in accordance with prison rules). A visitor may be asked to remove their outer garments before being required for a rub down search which involves the visitor being given an outer clothing, hands on search by a member of prison staff.

Visitors may also note that it is SPS policy that a Passive Drug Dog may be used when required to prevent illegal substances entering HMP Edinburgh. Visitors should be aware that for security, safety and prevention of crime HMP Edinburgh operates CCTV cameras in the visit room and the car park.

What you can bring to a visit

You may take car keys and a purse/wallet, as only food and drink purchased in the visit room may be consumed in the visit room. Mobile phones, lighters and tobacco products are not permitted within the establishment and must be left in your car or within a locker provided in the visitors centre Prisoners and visitors cannot share food or drink.

Handing in Money
Please note that money can be handed in to any SPS prison (2 of Scotland's prisons are privately run HMP Kilmarnock and HMP Addiewell). It must be handed in before your visit to the PPC/Fines Office situated within the visitors' entrance to the prison. You may deposit money for a prisoner here during times noted below, but you must provide the prisoner’s full name and prison number. A receipt will be issued to you.

PPC/Fines Office Hours

Family Contact Development Officers (FCDO)

We recognise that imprisonment is a stressful and traumatic experience for prisoners and their families. The FCDO’s aim is to provide advice and information to prisoners and their families, and we hope this leaflet will assist you during the initial period of their custody.  The FCDO’s are:

•  David May
• Blair Robertson
• Graham Nicole
• Kevin McKendrick

There is an FCDO on duty at all visit sessions and they can be contacted by phoning 0131 444 3113. They hold weekly surgeries in the Visitor Centre between 13.00 and 14.00 pm each Tuesday and Wednesday. Weekly induction sessions are held for all prisoners admitted to the prison, and there are also induction sessions each week for prisoners next of kin, these are booked by the prisoner during their induction and take place on a Friday morning.

 Should you require further information or advice do not hesitate to contact us.

Outside Contacts
Any prisoner in custody can request a visit from a volunteer. These visits are organised through either the prison Chaplaincy or the Links Centre. Volunteers will be either associated with the Chapliancy or be part of the Hope National Visitors Scheme and there are currently approximately eight volunteers. These visits take place during normal visiting times and under the same conditions as family visits.

Visiting Committee
Edinburgh Visiting Committee is comprised of 17 members with the Chairman being Mr Bruce Logan. The Visiting Committee meet with the Governor on a quarterly basis to discuss prisoner and prison related issues and also meet with individual prisoners on a request basis. All members of the committee visit the prison on a regular and rotational basis.