Visits
Update 28/08/20 - Updated FAQ's for Families and Visitors
COVID-19 is impacting on all areas of life including those we care for in prisons and their families. We have compiled answers to frequently asked questions which we hope you will find useful. Please click on the link below. These will be regularly updated to reflect the current situation.
Update 01/04/20 - New online facility to transfer money to those in our care
COVID-19 is impacting on all areas of life including those we care for in prisons and their families. Due to the restrictions introduced by the government about non-essential travel, you can no longer hand in money or property at establishments.
We recognise the difficulty that this causes many families and we have been quickly working on introducing a process where money can be transferred to those in our care electronically.
From today, the SPS can now accept money for prisoners transferred via your own online banking facility, set up to support those in custody during the COVID 19 outbreak. This will provide a safe way of sending money to friends and family.
For more information and instructions on how to use this facility, please click on the link below.
Update 27/03/20 - Impact of COVID - FAQ's for Families and Visitors
COVID-19 is impacting on all areas of life including those we care for in prisons and their families. We have compiled answers to frequently asked questions which we hope you will find useful. Please click on the link below. These will be regularly updated to reflect the current situation.
Families and Visitors Q&A
Families and Visitors Q&A (PDF version)
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Please visit the prison pages where your relative is located for visit times and information.
When you visit a prison you will need some form of photographic ID, you may also be asked for some additional ID. Before you travel it is best to contact the prison to make sure you have the correct documents required.
Some examples of what would be accepted are one from section a plus one from section b below.
Section A – Government Issued Photographic ID
· Passport
· Photographic Driving Licence
· PASS cards (Citizen card, Validate UK)
· National entitlement Card (Bus Pass)
· National Identity Card
Section B – Proof of Address
· Utility Bill (gas, electricity, mobile phone etc.)
· Paper Driving Licence
· Benefit Book
· Court Papers/Citations
Visit facilities are in high demand and spaces are limited. Therefore it is important that you arrive promptly for your visit and stick to your allocated time. If you are able to let us know that you are running late, we may be able to allow the visit. While there is generally a window of time to arrive, each prison will have cut off times and it may not be possible to re-book for the same day. If you are unsure about how to get to a prison, or for more information on visit times, please visit our prisons page.
Security
Our security when visiting a prison is similar to what you would expect at an airport. For your safety and security we operate robust security measures.
Visits Process
When you arrive, speak to a member of staff at the vestibule who will check your booking and your ID.
While security measures vary at different prisons dependent on the facilities, generally speaking you will be asked to place your belongings in a locker and proceed through a metal detector.
You may be asked to remove a belt or your shoes and there may also be ION scanners in place or dogs present. The purpose of our security process is to ensure the safety of everyone visiting the prison.
There will usually be a waiting room before you are called through to the visits area.
Visit facilities vary between establishments but we strive to provide a welcoming and safe space for you to spend time together.
There will usually be a children's play area available and Family Contact Officers to talk to.
Occasionally there will be special events for families to attend and spend time together.
You can also visit the Family Centres/Help Hubs for more information, advice and support.
Closed Visits
For security reasons you may be refused admission to the visits room and will be offered a closed visit. If you are unsure of what this means the following information may help.
The closed visit area is designed to prevent physical contact between prisoner and visitor. This involves a number of cubicles separated from each other by a screen. The visitor sits on one side of the cubicle, the prisoner on the other. Unlike the main visit room there is no access to refreshments.