Kilmarnock

Kilmarnock is a 500 cell prison facility operated by Serco Ltd on behalf of the Scottish Prison Service under a contract with the Scottish Ministers. It is situated approximately three miles south-east of Hurlford in East Ayrshire. Housing a range of prisoner types, Kilmarnock is the local receiving establishment primarily taking prisoners from the Sheriff Courts of Ayr and Kilmarnock.Contracted to provide purposeful activity for the prisoners, Kilmarnock has an industries department comprising six work units, and provides work opportunities for both remand and convicted prisoners. The proportion of convicted prisoners makes up approximately 80% of our population. In providing some of these purposeful activities Kilmarnock, where possible, takes the opportunity to incorporate vocational training with the intention of providing prisoners with externally recognised qualifications.

Serco Ltd is a company incorporated under the Companies Acts and has a registered address at Serco House, 16 Bartley Wood Business Park, Bartley Way, Hook, RG27 9UY.

The land on which the prison is built was used for agricultural purposes prior to construction starting; however before this it was the location of a munitions factory for the Air Ministry. In 1968 the site was abandoned by the government and its agricultural use commenced.

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

Main switch board   01563 548 800

Family Contact Officer   01563 548 872

Visitors Centre   01563 548 868

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 24
           H M Prison Kilmarnock
           Mauchline Road
           Kilmarnock
           KA1 5AA

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

By Car from the West
·         Take the A78 towards Irvine/Ayr, then follows signs for Town                                          Centre/Harbourside/Crosshouse.
·         At the roundabout, take the 1^st exit and follow the A71 to the roundabout with           the A77, and take the 4^th Exit signposted Cumnock and Mauchline.
·         After approx. 1.5 miles, take the second exit at the roundabout and enter the                prison drive.

By Car from the North
·         Take the M8/M77/A77 towards Kilmarnock.
·         Take the exit signposted A735/A71/A76 for                                                                          Kilmarnock/Irvine/Dumfries/Edinburgh.
·         At the roundabout, take the 2^nd exit signposted Cumnock and Mauchline.
·         After approx. 1.5 miles, take the second exit at the roundabout and enter the                prison drive.

By Car from the South
·         Take the A77 towards Kilmarnock.
·         Take the exit signposted A735/A71/A76 for                                                                          Kilmarnock/Irvine/Dumfries/Edinburgh.
·         At the roundabout, take the 2^nd exit signposted Cumnock and Mauchline.
·         After approx. 1.5 miles, take the second exit at the roundabout and enter                      the prison drive.

By Bus
Stagecoach bus X76 from Kilmarnock Bus Station passes the prison.

By Rail
The closest railway station to the prison is Kilmarnock. Contact Scotrail on http://admin.scotrail.co.uk/enquirieshttp://admin.scotrail.co.uk/enquiries  for further information.  From the station you can access to public transport to reach the establishment.

There are extensive public parking facilities, which include disabled spaces, for visitors to Kilmarnock. Disabled parking is located directly opposite the visitors centre.

Identification Requirements

All prisoners at Kilmarnock are responsible for booking their own visits and also have the responsibility to inform their visitors of the day and time of the visit. All new visitors, visitors who have been released and are now in custody will be required to provide valid photographic ID and proof of address.

 To gain access to the prison for the purpose of visiting, you must have two forms of identification, one photographic and one showing your current address. 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 statements
• Other letter from official source
• Electronic conformation of the above will be accepted.

Once your details have been recorded you will be asked to, place all unnecessary articles in a locker and, take a seat until called. When called you will make your way across to the main prison building.

Visitors arriving after 15 minutes of the session commencing will not be permitted entry to that session. Visitors who have not been named on the visiting order will not be permitted entry.

.Visiting Information for Friends and Family

We understand that coming to visit someone in prison can be stressful and a daunting prospect. We strive to make your visit to HMP Kilmarnock as straight forward as we can.

The Visitor Centre at HMP Kilmarnock is staffed by Operational Support Officers. Also, representatives from Centrestage are in attendance 4 days a week providing meaningful support for families and friends affected by imprisonment.

The Visitor Centre offers a welcoming and supportive environment, particularly for first time visitors who are unsure of prison procedures.

The toilet facilities include a disabled toilet and baby changing facilities. Also, an enclosed children's play area is situated outside.

Opening Hours

Monday-Tuesday        09:00-16:30

Wednesday                  09:00-20:15

Thursday                      09:00-16:30

Friday                            09:00-20:15

Saturday-Sunday         09:00-16:30

Telephone Number : 01563548868

Everyone attending the prison for a visit must book in at the Visitor Centre

First time visitors should arrive at least 30 minutes before the visit session starts. This is to allow sufficient time to process your details and answer any questions you may have.

Our system will now automatically delete any visitors' details where:

• They have been registered on our system but have not visited within 6 months or handed property within 1 year.
• Prisoners they visit have been released from custody.

If you have not been to the prison for a period of 6 months or more, you must bring all relevant identification. 

Procedure at Main Prison Building

All visitors will be asked to remove footwear, outdoor jackets and any metallic items. You will then be asked to walk through a metal detector and may be subject to a rub down search by a member of staff. Additionally, the search procedure may incorporate the use of an Ion Spectrometer and passive drug dogs.

Once the search process has been completed you will be allocated a table number and will be asked to enter into the visit hall. At the end of a visit a member of staff will inform visitors that their time has elapsed, and you will be asked to exit.

In the visit hall, there are Family Contact Officer's available throughout your visit if you require any information or have any concerns please feel free to speak to them. There are toilet facilities including disabled toilets and baby changing facilities as as a children's play area.

Security Considerations

• Please note that any personal belongings can be left in a locker in the Visitor Centre. This is done at the owners risk.
• Please do not bring any unnecessary items to the prison with you.
• On entering the Gatehouse, you will be required to undergo searching. You will be asked to remove your jacket and any metal items including belts, and perhaps your shoes. These will be passed through an X-Ray Machine, and you will be asked to pass through a metal detecting portal.
• You may also be subject to a rub-down search by a member of staff.
• Importantly, do not be in possession of any mobile phone or communication items such a a mobile phone charger or SIM card when gaining entry to the establishment. It is a criminal offence to attempt to introduce such items into the prison.
• Please rest assured that this is normal procedure, and we would be grateful for your full cooperation.

Visiting Information for Legal, Agents and Outside Agencies Visits 

Agents visits can be pre-arranged by contacting 01563 884241 between 09:30 and 16:00, Monday to Sunday. Should the requested date or time be unavailable, the solicitor will be advised of alternatives. Once made, an email confirmation of the booking date and time will be sent.

Please note, should a solicitor require to see his client as a matter of urgency, they will still be able to make that request in person at the prison, and where possible, we will attempt to facilitate this.

Our legal visit times are:

Monday to Friday                             09:45-11:00 & 13:15-16:00

                                                             No bookings between 13:45 & 14:30

Wednesday & Friday Evening         18:45-19:45

Saturday & Sunday                           09:45-11:00 & 13:15-16:00

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