HMP Greenock

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
• Bank statement
• Other letter from official source 

You should arrive at least 30 minutes before the visit session starts.

This is to allow sufficient time to process your details and allow you to go through the security procedures. On entering the main door of the prison go to the desk on the right, as you walk in. You will be greeted by staff who will ask for the information of the prisoner you are visiting. At this point you will be required to present your identification to the staff and then you will be allocated your table number for the visit.

You will not be allowed to take in any mobile phones, cameras, purses or wallets (however you are allowed to take up to £10 in cash into the visit for the use at the café). There are lockers for any belongings you are not permitted to take into the establishment. You will need a £1 coin to operate the locker which is refundable. If you have a baby with you, you can take essentials such as a change of nappy, baby wipes and plastic baby bottle with milk – baby food is not permitted.

Please also note that no outdoor or hooded tops are permitted in the visit room.

All visitors will be asked to walk through a metal detector and given a rub down search by a member of staff. Your belongings will be put through an x-ray machine. At times, there may be the SPS Dog Unit operating at the visits – it’s 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.

After a short time in the waiting area, you will be taken to the visits room. You will be asked to take a seat at the table you have been allocated, and the offenders will then be brought in. Five minutes before the end of the session, you will be made aware, At the end of the session prisoners will leave first and then visitors will be asked to exit.

There is always a Family Contact Officer (FCO) available for anyone wishing to speak to them throughout the visits. We provide a small café during all sessions, with limited stock, selling tea, coffee, soup, crisps and sweets. There are toilet facilities, including disabled toilets and baby changing facilities available as well as a children’s play area, which is unsupervised therefore supervision is the responsibility of parents. Greenock can facilitate those who may require wheelchair access or who have mobility difficulties. If you require additional assistance please do not hesitate to contact us prior to attending. 

Visiting someone in prison can feel overwhelming, especially if it's your first time. Families Outside have produced a video guide explaining how the National Prison Visitors' Service supports families with practical information, guidance and a warm welcome to help make prison visits a little easier. Watch the video here.

The Early Years Scotland Family Support Service (FSS) at HMP Greenock provides a welcoming, supportive environment for families and visitors affected by imprisonment. Working within the visits area, the service offers practical assistance, emotional support, and information to help families maintain positive relationships and access the support they need.

A dedicated Family Support Worker is available during visits, providing a consistent and trusted presence for adults and children. This helps create opportunities for meaningful engagement, allowing families to seek advice, discuss concerns, and access support in a confidential and supportive setting.

The service has established a private family support space within the visits area, where visitors can access information, resources, and one-to-one support. Resources are regularly reviewed and updated in response to feedback from families, ensuring they remain relevant and helpful to those using the service.  There is a young children’s play and learning area and a separate area for older children to engage with their families.

Strong referral pathways have also been developed with prison staff and internal support services, helping families receive timely assistance and ensuring that additional support can be accessed when required.

Through a family-focused approach, the Family Support Service at HMP Greenock continues to promote wellbeing, strengthen family connections, and provide a valued source of support for visitors and those affected by imprisonment.

Email: [email protected] 
Mobile: 07387 414 271
Landline: 01475 883329

Opening times:

• Monday: 2pm – 8pm
• Saturday: 1pm – 5pm
• Sunday: 1pm – 5pm

Only property for which an approved pro-forma has been completed in advance by the individual offender will be accepted during visiting times.  Officers will list the property and seal the list and property in a bag. This will take place in the visitor's presence. Visitors will not be permitted to take property into the prison. Any property which has not been subject to prior approval will not be accepted into Greenock.

Only property with an approved pro-forma will be accepted. Officers will list the property and seal the list and property in a bag.

You can post money in to an individual for their PPC. If you choose to do so, please use recorded/special delivery (costs incurred at the post office) when posting cash, a cheque or postal order.  Cheques or postal orders should be made payable to the Scottish Prison Service, but please note the individuals details on the back.

However, the most secure and efficient way of sending money is through online banking. For full instructions on how to do this please follow the link below.

• Continue on M8 past Glasgow Airport and follow signs for Greenock. 
• Once through Port Glasgow and into Greenock (still on A8/M8), carry on to the first set of actual traffic lights (disregarding pedestrian crossing type lights). These lights are easily identified by the fire station on the left and a Morrison's supermarket facing. 
• Turn left at the fire station. 
• The road goes under a railway bridge, up a steep hill (Baker Street at that point) and round a bad bend at the top (same road now becomes Drumfrochar Road). Follow this road (it becomes Cornhaddock Street at some point) until you come to a high school on the left. 
• Just past the gates of the school turn right into Columba Street. 
• This is a short street. Go to the end of it (there is a telephone box facing you) and turn left into Thom Street then left again into Old Inverkip Road. 
• The prison car park is 50 yards up the hill on the left.

Visitors may use any of the two car parks facing the prison We have one car parking space available for disabled drivers situated directly outside the main gate, and there are two in our main car park.

• Follow the signs for Greenock on the A8.
• Continue through the first roundabout signposted Greenock town centre on to the dual carriage way, the IBM factory will be on your right hand side.
• At next roundabout beside Lady Alice school take first left on roundabout then take first right into Old Inverkip road. 
• The prison is 50 yards up the hill on the right.

Visitors may use any of the two car parks facing the prison We have one car parking space available for disabled drivers situated directly outside the main gate, and there are two in our main car park.

• Cross the Erskine Bridge following signs for Greenock.
• On entering Greenock follow the above directions from Glasgow.

Visitors may use any of the two car parks facing the prison We have one car parking space available for disabled drivers situated directly outside the main gate, and there are two in our main car park.

See local bus and train times to Glasgow and then follow directions by rail or road.

Visitors may use any of the two car parks facing the prison We have one car parking space available for disabled drivers situated directly outside the main gate, and there are two in our main car park.

• Take the 906 McGill's bus from Buchanan Bus Station. 
• Get off the bus on Inverkip Road at Barr's Cottage (just after Greenock South West Library). 
• Walk back towards the library and then turn right, walk up the hill of Old Inverkip Road for approximately 50 yards, HMP Greenock is on the right at the top of the hill.

• Take the 906 McGill's bus or 585 Stagecoach bus. 
• Get off the bus on Inverkip Road at the Barr's Cottage (beside the Londis Store). 
• Cross Inverkip Road and walk towards the library, just before the library turn left, walk up the hill of Old Inverkip Road for approximately 50 yards, HMP Greenock is on the right at the top of the hill.

Please note there is no direct bus service from Paisley to Greenock, See details below for directions by train from Paisley Gilmour Street.

• There is a frequent rail service departing from Glasgow Central passing through Paisley Gilmour Street with various stops along the way. 
• Take the Gourock train and get off at Greenock West; this will leave you in closest proximity to the Establishment. 
• There is a taxi rank immediately outside the train station. 
• Alternatively, to walk to the prison (about 1 mile), on leaving the station you should cross over towards the pharmacy and go up the steep hill called Orangefield (you should pass a church on your left called St Patricks) and proceed up the hill. (The street name changes to Brachleston Street) Keep going straight. 
• Shortly after the hill levels you will see bowling greens on your right and a children's play park. Immediately before the play park veer left onto Old Inverkip Road and again proceed up this hill. 
• We are on the left at the top of the hill.

• There is a frequent rail service departing from Gourock station, get off train at Greenock West station and follow directions as above.

• Arrive at Wemyss Bay and there is a frequent bus that will take you to Greenock, get off bus at Inverkip Road at Barr's cottage, across from the library.