The Prisons and Young Offenders Institutions (Scotland) Rules 1994

Visits by persons of a prisoner’s choice

55.—(1) Subject to paragraph (6) and rule 56, this rule applies to visits to a prisoner by any person with whom the prisoner wishes to communicate.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3) and rules 63 and 64, the Governor shall allow a prisoner, at such times as the Governor considers reasonable, either–

(a) not less than 30 minutes in any period of 7 consecutive days; or

(b) not less than 2 hours in any period of 28 consecutive days,

for the purposes of receiving visits in terms of this rule.

(3) Subject to rules 63 and 64, the Governor shall allow a young prisoner (who is not also an untried prisoner), at such times as the Governor considers reasonable, not fewer than 2 visits, each of not less than 30 minutes, in any period of 7 consecutive days.

(4) The number of persons who shall be allowed to visit a prisoner at any time shall be at the discretion of the Governor.

(5) Where a prisoner receives a visit in terms of this rule–

(a) the visit shall take place within the sight of an officer; but

(b) no officer shall listen to any conversation between the prisoner and his visitor except where the Governor otherwise directs.

(6) Where the Secretary of State considers that it is not practicable to allow prisoners the minimum periods for visits specified in paragraph (2) due to the circumstances pertaining in, or facilities available at, any prison, he may by direction provide that paragraph (2) shall apply in relation to prisoners of that prison subject to such reduced minimum periods as may be specified in the direction.

(7) A prisoner shall only be entitled to receive a visit from a person who is a prisoner at another prison in exceptional circumstances and if the Governors of the respective prisons both give consent and, in the event that either or both Governors refuse consent, the prisoners concerned shall be given an explanation of the reasons for such refusal.

(8) This rule does not apply to visits which a prisoner may receive by virtue of rules 36 to 38 and 58 to 62, and the entitlement of a prisoner to receive visits in terms of this rule is separate from any entitlement under those rules.