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Dumfries

DumfriesPrisonFront
Prison Name
Dumfries
Governor
Andrew Hunstone
Deputy Governor
Tommy Watt
Address
Dumfries
Terregles Street
Dumfries
DG2 9AX

HMP Dumfries Information Booklet


Dumfries prison serves the local courts of Dumfries and Galloway. It holds up to 60 men who are remanded in custody for trial and those convicted but remanded for reports. Short‑term convicted male prisoners may be retained at Dumfries or transferred to another establishment according to their length of sentence and the availability of spaces.

Dumfries prison also provides a national mainstream facility for holding up to 135 long‑term and short‑term men who require to be separated from mainstream prisoners because of the nature of their offence, termed as offence related protection prisoners.

History-

Built in 1863 as a local prison to serve the catchment area of South West Scotland, in 1951 it was converted for use as a borstal and in 1965 was changed to a Young Offenders Institution. 



If you need to contact the establishment, here are some useful numbers –


Main switch board 01387 261218 (please note that a voicemail service is in operation after 9.30 pm Monday to Friday, and after 5.30 pm at weekends)


Visits Booking   01387 261218 Option 2 and the Option 1 or extension 4603


Link Centre   01387 274611 or 274654 or 01387 261218 extensions 4611 and 4654.


Senior Management Administrator / Governor’s Secretary   01387 274303

Family Contact Officer   01387 274625

If sending a letter to a prisoner, put their name, prison number and location, followed by the postal address.

e.g.                      123456 S Smith
                             A Hall
                             H M Prison Dumfries

             Terregles Street
             Dumfries
             DG2 9AX


Solicitors


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


 

 

The prison sits within the town of Dumfries. Dumfries sits five minutes from the A75, A76 and A701 and approximately 18 miles from the M74.

By Road:

From A76:

  • Follow the road signs for Dumfries until you reach the Garroch Roundabout, where the new hospital will be sited, take the first exit sign posted Carlisle / Dumfries.
  • At the next roundabout take the second exit for A780, follow the road, Garden Wise sits to your right, on entry to the 30 limit continue to follow the road, you will pass “Budget” Car Garage on the left, then a school entrance
  • Prior to traffic signals take left hand turn on to Terregles Street (speed bumps).
  •  Take third exit left, signpost for HM Prison sits at the bottom, visitors car park is to your right.
  • Disabled visitors can park next to the prison main gates, space marked for disabled parking. There is also a ramp and rail supports as aids next to the parking space. 

From A701:

  • Leave A74 sign posted for Moffat/Dumfries; continue on the A701 sign posted for Dumfries. Approximate distance 18 miles.
  • Stay on this road as you enter Dumfries, you will pass Gates Rubber Factory, and a Tesco Filling Station on your left hand side, at the roundabout head straight across and continue until you come to a large roundabout, which is the A75 Dumfries bypass.
  • At the A75 roundabout turn right heading towards Stranraer, continue along this bypass until you come to a roundabout over which sits a tall bridge, and take the second left sign posted for Dumfries Town Centre. Proceed through the first roundabout (Tesco will be on your right hand side), until you come to the next roundabout.
  • Turn right at this roundabout; continue through a mini roundabout, Queen of the South Arena will be on your left, until you come to the next mini roundabout, which is on Terregles Street.
  • At this roundabout turn left and follow the road, you will see a football stadium on your left hand side. Continue for fifty metres and you will see the signpost for the prison on the right hand side. Visitors have to park in the visitor’s car park.
  • Disabled visitors can park next to the prison main gates, space marked for disabled parking. There is also a ramp and rail supports as aids next to the parking space.
  • At this roundabout turn left and follow the road, you will see a football stadium on your left hand side. Continue for fifty metres and you will see the signpost for the prison on the right hand side. Visitors have to park in the visitor’s car park.
  • Disabled visitors can park next to the prison main gates, space marked for disabled parking.
  • There is also a ramp and rail supports as aids next to the parking space.


From A76:

  •  Follow signs for Dumfries
  • Once into Residential area follow the road until you reach roundabout, McDonalds sits to your right. Continue straight across.
  • At the bypass roundabout, large bridge sits over, take the 3rd ext signposted Dumfries Town Centre
  • Proceed through the first roundabout (Tesco will be on your right hand side ), until you come to the next roundabout.
  • Turn right at this roundabout; continue through a mini roundabout, Queen of the South Arena will be on your left, until you come to the next mini roundabout, which is on Terregles Street.
  • At this roundabout turn left.

By Rail

National Rail Timetable

www.nationalrail.co.uk

By Bus

www.dumgal.gov.uk/timetables

HMP Dumfries Information Booklet

We have two processes at Dumfries for booking visits.

To book a Family/Friend Visit:
Please contact 01387 261218 Option 2 and the Option 1 or extension 4603. If you are not listed as a visitor, staff will contact the individual concerned to seek permission to add you and your friends on his list. Visits should be booked 24 hours in advance.

To book a  Link Centre Visit (Service Provider):
Please contact 01387 274611, select ext 611 from the choice menu or hold for assistance.

Short Term, Mon-Fri- 13:30-14:30, Sat & Sun- 10:30am- 11:30am  

Long Term- Fri- 15:00- 16:00, Sat & Sun- 14:15- 15:15

How to Book Agent Visit (Legal)

Contact 01387 261218 Option 2 and the Option 3 or extension 4603

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.

Visiting Times

A Hall


Friday   15:00-16:00 
Sat-Sun   14:30-15:45

B Hall


Friday   15:00-16:00 
Sat-Sun   14:30-15:45

C Hall


Friday   15:00-16:00 
Sat-Sun   14:30-15:45

D Hall


Mon-Fri   13:30-14:30 
Sat-Sun   14:30-15:45

E Hall


Mon-Fri   13:30-14:30 
Sat-Sun   14:30-15:45

Link Centre


Short Term Prisoners
Mon-Fri 8:30-10:15  13:30-15:00
No Weekend Visits
 
Long Term Prisoners
Mon-Fri/Sun 10:30-12:00  15:15-16:30
No Weekend Visits


Visits for Children


Sat & Sun   09.15-10.15 & 11.30-12.30