COVID-19 is impacting all areas of life, including here in the prison estate. We have been considering all the necessary steps that we could take to reduce the risk of the virus spreading and difficult decisions have had to be made to protect the health of those living and working in our prisons.
The Scottish Prison Service has today taken the difficult decision to suspend visits across our estate.
The situation is changing fast. In response to the rising concern from those in custody and from staff about visits, together with the reducing number of people attending visits and with Public Health advice to stay at home, we feel this is the right thing to due to reduce the risk of the virus spreading.
This decision will come into effect from Tuesday 24 March 2020 across all establishments. Critical agent visits will continue to be facilitated, however, with the reduction in court business, it is anticipated that these types of visits will reduce.
We are quickly working to look at ways in which we can support and maintain family relationships during this time.
This is also an anxious time for all living and working in our prisons. The situation is changing fast and we would like to assure you that we are working tirelessly to prepare for, and respond to the challenges we all face.
