HMP Kilmarnock is located 3 miles to the south-east of Kilmarnock. The prison is the first in Scotland to be built under the private finance initiative and became operational on the 25 March 1999. The prison is operated under a 25 year contract by Premier Prison Services Limited on behalf of the Scottish Prison Service. It is the most modern prison in Scotland, with 500 single cells, and with a contractual maximum capacity of 692 prisoners. With effect from 1 February 2003, 596 prisoner places have been available at HMP Kilmarnock. The main telephone number for the establishment is 01563 548800 and the main fax number is 01563 548845.

The prison is a closed mainstream high security establishment, which operates a similar regime to that available elsewhere, including Shotts and Glenochil. It accommodates male adult prisoners – remands, short-term and long-term - and male young offender remands. It does not have a national Top End facility but prisoners are able to apply through the normal procedures and gain the same access to national Top Ends as from other mainstream establishments.

As with all Scottish Prisons, HM Prison Kilmarnock is subject to the Prisons and Young Offenders Institutions (Scotland) Rules 1994, as amended, and prisoners have the same rights at Kilmarnock as they would have in any other Scottish Prison. Although Kilmarnock Prison is operated by PPS, it is part of the SPS estate and prisoners remain under the care of the Scottish Prison Service.

Location

HMP Kilmarnock is situated on the A76, two and a half miles South West of Kilmarnock.

Booking of Visits

The prisoner receiving the visit undertakes the booking of visits. You will receive notification of this from the prisoner.

Travel
The nearest main rail and bus stations are situated in Kilmarnock City centre. There are bus services between the city centre and Hurlford Cross and Crossroads (Cumnock bus), each day of the week. However, you are advised to plan your travel arrangements in advance, as the service is often quite limited. Useful telephone number:

All train enquiries 0345 484950; Buchanan Street Bus Station 0141 3327133; Kilmarnock Bus Station 01563 525192

Visitors Permitted
HMP Kilmarnock permits three adults (16 years of age or over) during a visit session. There is no restriction to under 16’s. Prisoners will not be denied visits from a person of their choice unless it is contradictory to good order and security. Identification must be produced by each adult on every visit.

Reporting for Visits
Please report at least half an hour before your visit is due to commence, to enable staff to process your entry into the prison and start the visit session on time.

Upon each arrival you will be asked to produce identification, have a video image taken and have your fingerprint scanned. You will then be given a card with a barcode to allow us to monitor your progress through the visit system.

Searching
In alignment with Scottish Prison Service Policy, Premier Prison Services Limited may search all visitors who wish to enter the prison. It is our commitment that HMP Kilmarnock will not tolerate illegal drugs being brought into the prison and any contravention of the rule will be dealt with severely. We operate a variety of equipment and use drug detection dogs to help us achieve our aim.

Setting and Facilities
We realise that your time during the visit is important and make every effort to ensure privacy and free discussion, within the necessary restraints of good order and general security. A play area is provided for your children, situated within the Visits Hall. The WRVS operate a canteen during convicted visits.

Handling Cash
Cash can be handed in at the gate, through the door to the right of the Visitor’s Entrance. This money will be entered into the prisoner’s account on the next working day.

Family Contact
A family contact development officer is available to advise on travel and other matters regarding your visit. Should you have any concerns regarding the welfare of the prisoner you are visiting, do not hesitate to speak to the Family Contacts Development Officer (FCDO) by telephone: 01563 548872

The FCDO staff can also help you with the assisted prison visit scheme, which may be available to you if you are on Income Support. Please ask for an application form if you think this applies to you.

Disabled Visitors
Disabled visitors can be accommodated in the visits hall. If any visitor is disabled and requires assistance, staff is there to help. There are disabled parking spaces available at HMP Kilmarnock.

Smoking
Here at HMP Kilmarnock, we have adopted a No Smoking Policy. Smoking is not allowed in any part of the Visits.

Visit Times

Remand
Monday – Friday: 13.30 - 16.00; Saturday – Sunday: 11.00 – 12.00

Convicted
Monday – Friday: 13.30 – 16.30; Saturday – Sunday: 13.30 – 14.30; 15.00 - 16.00; 16.30- 17.30; 19.45 - 20.05; 20.45 - 21.15

 

Further Infomation

At Kilmarnock, many of the tasks that would normally be undertaken by a prison Governor are the responsibility of the PPS Director, Nick Cameron. However, the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 precludes the Director from undertaking some of the duties associated with the Governor’s job. These are the responsibility of the SPS Controllers who are based at Kilmarnock Prison.