Register

Getting Started

Please read the technical requirements section below before beginning. You can email us during office hours if you have any technical issues during the setup.

Technical requirements

Read about the internet connection and security requirements for the agent to prison video link and access a trouble shooting guide.

Step 1: Registration

Please complete and submit the video link mandate eform to register.

A separate mandate must be completed for each solicitor within the firm who wishes to conduct visits by video link.

We will pass your details to SPS for them to add you the video link booking system (please note this can take at least 24 hours).

Step 2: Booking a visit

You will receive an email from SPS advising that you have been registered and can now book prison video link visits.

You should follow the same procedure when booking a ‘visit’ by video link as for booking a physical visit by using the agents’ visits phone line at the prison. Remember to specify that you wish to conduct the visit by video link when booking.

Visits by video link can be booked up to seven days in advance. Please ensure that you book 24 hours in advance of the required visit. A shorter notification period may be possible if the prison is able to accommodate the request.

Exclusions: Currently a visit by video link should not be undertaken where:

An interpreter is required
The prisoner is considered to be vulnerable in any way
The prisoner requires to review/see documents or other material.

Useful Information once registered to use the Video Conferencing facilities with SPS
- Once certified and added to the SPS system you can book a visit at all prisons apart
  from – The Open Estate
- To book a visit at a prison telephone the agents booking line as normal. When you telephone you will need to let the prison know that you intend to do the visit by video link. This will allow them to book the room with the video link equipment
- As with physical visits you can book the room for as long as you require, as long as the room is available
- You can arrange to meet with several prisoners at the same prison using the one booking, in these circumstances the prison will have the clients waiting and once you have finished the meeting with one prisoner they will take them out the room and bring the next prisoner in
- When you book a visit you should receive an email from the prison containing the joining instructions
- When you connect to the prison they will ask to see your Law Society Pass. This is to verify your identify. Once they have verified your identity the will bring your client into the room
- As with physical visits, video link visits are conducted with the client in sight but out of hearing
- If you need to cancel the visit you must let the prison know. This is because the prisoner is brought down to the agents visiting room in advance of the booked video link visit. This is different from a physical visit where the client will only be brought down to the area once you arrive at the prison.