Dumfries

If you are writing to your client, the Scottish Prison Service considers that it is necessary that you adopt the “double envelope” process as recommended by the Law Society. It is the experience of the Scottish Prison Service that adopting this process ensures that your client receives his or her correspondence unopened and assists in mitigating the abuse of the right to receive such correspondence in this way. If you require further information you can contact us as follows:

e-mail: gaolinfo@prisons.gov.scot

tel: 0131 330 3500

How to Book Agent Visit (Legal)

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
•           Benefit book
•           Bank statement
•           Other letter from official source

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

Legal Visits by Video Link
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.

On arrival at Dumfries,
Visitors attending the prison for a visit should ensure they arrive at the vestibule at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the visit. No one arriving thereafter is guaranteed entry to the visits. You will first enter the vestibule area, the front desk is to your left. You will be required to present your identification to staff. The vestibule area provides lockers for any belongings you are not permitted to take into the establishment. You will be provided with a key, which you will hand back in exchange for your belongings at the end of the visit session.

All visitors will be asked to walk through a metal detector and given a rub down search by a member of staff. At times, there may be the SPS Dog Unit operating at the visits, it is nothing to worry about and you will be given instructions by the staff.  If you have any concerns at all, please talk to a member of staff. There are toilet facilities available in the visit waiting Area.

Once in the visit room visitors will be asked to take a seat and the offenders will then be brought in.  You will be made aware five minutes prior to the end of the session and at the end of the session, offenders will leave first and then visitors will be asked to exit.
'Friends of Dumfries' operate a small café, with limited stock, selling tea, coffee, sandwiches, crisps and sweets. There is a disabled toilet, which includes baby changing facilities. The visits room is equipped with toys and games as well as a children’s soft play area. The soft play area is for children 0-5 or less than 1.20 metres; this area is not supervised and is the responsibility of the parents to ensure their child’s safety.

Handing in Property

All property to be handed in must be accompanied by a Reception Pro-forma, the visitor simply hands in the property with the required Pro-forma at the Vestibule. The Vestibule officer checks that the items being handed in match the Proform and writes a receipt for the visitor as proof of receiving the items. Property can be handed in any time between 6.30am and 9.00pm.

Posting in Property
Items will be posted and will enclose the Reception Proform, the package should be marked with the Prisoners Name and Prison Number and where possible the senders details. On receipt the Reception Officer will mark the items on the property card in the presence of the prisoner and the prisoner will sign the property card to confirm it is correct. Only items that are listed on the Proform and on the articles in use list will be allowed in use.

Handing in Money

Money should be handed in to the Vestibule. The person handing in cash or cheques will inform the Vestibule Officer how much money they wish to hand in and for which prisoner. The specified amount is placed in the cash box and a receipt detailing the Visitors names, Prisoner name and number and the amount of money received is written and signed by the Vestibule Officer. The details are also noted through a logbook within the vestibule. Money can be handed in any time between 6.30am and 9.00pm.

Posting in Money
You can post money in to an offender for their PPC, however we would strongly recommend using the online banking service or recorded/special delivery (costs incurred at the post office) when posting cash or you can post a cheque or postal order (again there is a cost incurred at the post office for the order) in.  Both of these should be made payable to the Scottish Prison Service, but please note the offenders details on the back of the order or cheque. 

The envelope should be marked with the Prisoners Name and Prison Number, and if possible senders details. All letters received are opened in the presence of the prisoner. If the letter contains money the prisoner is shown how much. However it is strongly recommended that you send a cheque.  The prisoner is then asked to provide the senders details – name and address. A receipt detailing the sender information, prisoner name and number and the amount received is written and signed by the Prisoner Management Officer. A log is also kept on each gallery detailing all transactions.