HMP & YOI Polmont

Upon entering the main door of the prison, there is a front desk staffed by prison officers. You will be required to present your identification to the staff. The family hub and family contact officers are also located in this area. Everyone attending the prison for a visit should book in 15-30 minutes prior to the start of the session at the front desk. This is to allow sufficient time to allow the staff to process your details and to accept any property or money you may be handing in.

However please note that there is a grace period of 15 minutes for people who are running late. If your arrival is any later, you will not be allowed to access the visit.

You will require a £1 coin to operate the lockers into which you can securely store any items which you are not permitted to take up to the visit room with you. Toilet facilities are available in the visitors waiting area.

All visitors will be asked to walk through a metal detector and given a rub down search by a member of staff prior to going upstairs to the visit room. 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.

In the visit room there are vending machines which take both cash and card.

There is also a new play area for children. This is used for FCO visits but if families want some of the toys or books from this area during a visit, staff will be more than willing to help with this. 

Below is a list of identification requirements, the times of visits session, depending on the location of the young offender, facilities and what you can expect coming to the prison. For anyone over the age of 16 years to gain access to the prison for the purpose of visiting, you must have two forms of identification, one of which must be photographic ID. Under 16 years old require ID, such as a birth certificate. Entry to the establishment 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
• Photographic Bank 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
• Benefit book
• Bank statement
• Other letter from official source

Official visitors require Identification cards. 

Professional persons (solicitors, advocates, agents, social workers etc) wishing to visit Polmont to see clients should book an appointment to see young persons or women or a video conference by phoning 01324 722350, Monday – Thursday 08.30 - 12.00 or 13.00 - 15.45 and Friday 08.30-12.00 or 13.00-15.15.

Agents' visits can also be booked by email using the following address (monitored Monday - Thursday, 08.00 - 15.45, and Friday 08.00 - 15.15) or email: [email protected]

Please note agents are required to carry their Law Society of Scotland ID Cards when visiting.

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.

The most secure and efficient way of sending in money is through your online banking. For full instructions on how to set up payments to individuals in our custody, please follow the link below.

Individuals in our custody can request property by completing a proforma, which is then left at the front desk for family to collect.

When families are handing in property, please note that only the items listed on the proforma can be accepted. However be aware that there is no need for a proforma to hand in underwear or socks. 

You can post in property for individuals in custody, but the recipient must have completed the pro-forma prior to the items arriving. Mark the parcel for the individual's attention. To ensure the parcel arrives safely, we recommend you send it by recorded delivery (cost incurred at the post office).

• M80, A80, M876 to M9 East to Junction 4 or M8 to Junction 4 M9 Junction 4 Linlithgow/Bathgate.
• Follow signs to Polmont for approx 3 miles. 
• M8 Junction 4 Bathgate,follow signs for Falkirk approx 10 miles. 
• The prison is in Brightons near Polmont follow the strategic traffic signs along the way.

• M8 West to Junction 4 or M9 West to Junction 4.
• Follow signs to Polmont for approx 3 miles. 
• M8 Junction 4 Bathgate,follow signs for Falkirk approx 10 miles. 
• The prison is in Brightons near Polmont follow the strategic traffic signs along the way.

• M90 to the Forth Road Bridge, M9 West to Junction 4 or A9, M9  East to Junction 4.
• Follow signs to Polmont for approx 3 miles. 
• M8 Junction 4 Bathgate,follow signs for Falkirk approx 10 miles. 
• The prison is in Brightons near Polmont follow the strategic traffic signs along the way.

• M8 West to Junction 4 or M9 West to Junction 4.
• Follow signs to Polmont for approx 3 miles. 
• M8 Junction 4 Bathgate,follow signs for Falkirk approx 10 miles. 
• The prison is in Brightons near Polmont follow the strategic traffic signs along the way.

Polmont railway station is approximately 15 minutes walk from the prison. Taxis are also available at the station, telephone 01324 623 999. 

For the most up-to-date and accurate train timetables, please follow the link to Scotrail's website below.

There are regular bus services from Glasgow and Edinburgh to Falkirk. From Falkirk, the Maddiston bus service reaches the establishment.