Kilmarnock is a 500 cell prison facility 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 individuals from the Sheriff Courts of Ayr and Kilmarnock.

 

The prison was previously operated by Serco Ltd on behalf of the Scottish Prison Service under a contract with the Scottish Ministers. It transferred to the Scottish Prison Service following the expiry of this contract on 17 March 2024.

 

 

HMP Kilmarnock

Visiting the prison

  • 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
    • 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.

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

    Everyone attending the prison for a visit must book in at the Visitor Centre, located next to the prison's entrance. 

    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.

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

    Opening Hours:

    • Monday - Friday: 08:15 - 20:30
    • Saturday and Sunday - 08:15 - 21:00

     

    Contact:

    Individuals can contact staff by email or phone:
    Landline: 01563 884352
    Email - [email protected]

    Please note:

    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.

  • 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.

    • 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.

  • Agents visits can be pre-arranged by contacting 01563 884241 or 01563 548868. 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
      • 10:00 - 11:00
      • 13:15 - 15:30
      • 19:00 - 20:00
    • Saturday
      • 10:00 - 11:00
      • 14:00 - 15:30
    • Sunday
      • 09:45 - 10:45
      • 14:00 - 15:30

    Legal Visits

    Please ensure that you have your Law Society of Scotland SMART card with you when you visit. We cannot guarantee that you will be given access to your client if you cannot evidence your right to practice in Scotland.

    If you do not have your SMART card, we will accept a valid practicing certificate, or alternatively a letter on your practice headed paper. We will seek to validate your information with the Law Society of Scotland.

    Legal Visits by Videolink

    Click here for information on the Scottish Legal Aid Board web site for solicitors looking to register for and use video link technology to conduct meetings with their clients in custody.

  • Property for convicted and untried prisoners may be handed in at the Visitors Centre during the Centre's opening times.

    Visitors handing in property are required to be on the prisoners approved visitors list and if they have not attended a visit previously will be required to provide appropriate identification. All property must be accompanied with a completed Pro-forma (Blue Form). Prisoners are responsible for furnishing visitors with a completed Pro-forma,

  • Property can be sent to prisoners in the post, provided a completed pro-forma is included in the parcel. Mark the parcel for the prisoner's attention. To ensure the parcel arrives safely, you can send it recorded delivery (cost incurred at the post office).   

  • You may deposit payments directly into a prisoner’s account using an online secure payment system. This service is provided by Prison Technology Services. If you require any information please contact us on our website.

    If you require to deposit cash in to a Prisoners account out with these times please contact Kilmarnock - 01563 548800. Opening times are:

    • Monday to Friday  
      • 08:00 - 20:30
    • Saturday and Sunday 
      • 08:00 - 17:30

  • You can post money into a prisoner for their PPC, however we would strongly recommend either recorded/special delivery (cost incurred at the post office) when posting cash or you can post a cheque or postal order (again there is a cost incurred at the post office for the order) in. Both of these should be made payable to the Scottish Prison Service, but please note the prisoners details on the back of the order or cheque. 

Visiting times

  • Remand 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.

    Prisoners can add or remove visitor's names up to 4 hours prior to the session start time.

    Our visit times for Remand prisoners are:

    • Monday and Friday
      • 14:45 - 15:30 
    • Tuesday and Thursday
      • 13:15 - 14:00
      • 19:00 - 19:45 
    • Wednesday and Saturday
      • 10:00 - 10:45

  • Convicted prisoners at Kilmarnock are responsible for booking their own visits and have the responsibility to inform their visitors of the day and time of the visit.

    Prisoners can add or remove visitor's names up to 4 hours prior to the session start time.

    Our visit times for Convicted prisoners are:

    • Monday and Friday
      • 13:15 - 14:15
      • 19:00 - 20:00
    • Tuesday and Thursday
      • 10:00 - 11:00
      • 14:30 - 15:30
    • Wednesday
      • 19:00 - 20:00
    • Saturday and Sunday
      • 14:00 - 15:30

  • The Breakfast Club is a friendly, relaxed atmosphere where you can enjoy a nutritional breakfast as a family. It's the perfect place to start the day so children get all the energy they need for the day ahead.

    Individuals in custody who meet select criteria can access dedicated children's visits, which run alongside the breakfast club.

    • Sunday
      • 10:00 - 11:00

    • Monday to Friday
      • 10:00 - 11:00
      • 13:15 - 15:30
      • 19:00 - 20:00
    • Saturday
      • 10:00 - 11:00
      • 14:00 - 15:30
    •  Sunday
      • 09:45 - 10:45
      • 14:00 - 15:30

  • Run by East Ayrshire Council Play Motivator, these visits are an excellent opportunity for families to interact with their young children and have fun. Families will be allowed to move around the hall with their children in a relaxed atmosphere.

    • Wednesday
      • 13:15 - 15:15

Getting in touch

Family and Friends

If sending a letter to a prisoner, put their name, prison number and location, followed by the prison postal address.

Solicitors

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:

How to get there

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

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

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

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

  • The closest railway station to the prison is Kilmarnock. Contact Scotrail 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.