SPS review of family visit arrangements
17 December 2020
The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) recognises that this is a difficult time for those in their care as well as their families and friends and they are anxious to do all we can to allow family contact. As such, virtual visits remain available in every establishment.
The SPS have reviewed their family visit arrangements and would like to remind families that visits can, and are, taking place in all establishments, particularly where there are compassionate grounds for these visits.
The safety and wellbeing of all those living and working in prison establishments remains their priority. As such, individual establishments may put local measures in place in line with public health advice. This may include a limit to the number of people in the visit room at any one time, or other restrictions.
However, compassionate visits to all establishments will be facilitated regardless of the area you live in.
Compassionate reasons may include:
- if you have any concerns about the wellbeing of an individual in the care of SPS;
- where the visit involves a child under 18 who is visiting a parent, grandparent or sibling; or
- where the visit involves an individual in the care of SPS who is under 18
The SPS intend for these arrangements to be in place until early January 2021, when a further review will take place. Please remember that these arrangements may be subject to change, at any time, depending on local or national circumstances.
Please contact your local prison establishment via the normal visits booking arrangements if you have any questions or concerns.
Contact details for each establishment can be found here.
Virtual visits can also be booked via the normal process to any establishment in Scotland.