England & Wales has an online “Find a Prisoner” service run by HMPPS – Scotland doesn’t have a direct equivalent for the public to use.
If you’re trying to find out which Scottish prison someone is in, here are the best places to try:
- Ask the person directly, or a family member who’s already in touch with them.
- Contact the Scottish Prison Service directly – they may be able to confirm this or point you in the right direction, though data protection rules do limit what they can tell someone who isn’t a direct contact.
- Contact Families Outside – their helpline staff are experienced at helping families track down where a loved one is being held, and are a good place to turn if you’re feeling stuck.
If the person has just been sentenced, keep in mind they’ll usually go to the nearest suitable prison first, and may be moved again once things settle down – so it’s worth checking again if your first search doesn’t turn anything up.
For a list of Scotland’s prisons and what each one does, see our Scotland’s Prisons page.