Information for Visitors
- General Public
- Legal and other Professionals
- Table of NSW Correctional Centres
- Correctional Centre Visiting Hours
General Public
Visits to inmates in New South Wales correctional centres are important for maintaining strong family relationships. They also assist in making it easier for people to readjust to life in the community when they are released.
Basic rules apply with regard to visiting inmates and correctional centres. However, local requirements may apply in some centres depending on a variety of factors.
Before visiting a family member or friend in any of the NSW correctional centres you should:
- First check with the Department to find out whether the inmate is still at that centre. You don't want to turn up only to find the person has been moved.
- Find out what the centre's visiting hours are and give yourself sufficient time to get there.
- Find out whether you need to book a visit. The information provided on each correctional centre will indicate whether it is necessary.
- Make sure you have the correct identification in your possession when you turn up for a visit. View visitor identification requirements. (pdf)
- Make sure you have the necessary documentation with you if you need to take personal medication into a centre with you. All medication must be declared at the front desk.
- Find out what you are permitted to take into a centre with you, especially if you are visiting with children. Local rules apply at some centres.
- There are certain items which are prohibited (pdf) from being taken into correctional complexes (including the car park) or into a correctional centre. Find out what these are. Penalties may apply if these are found in your possession.
- Make sure you are dressed sensibly for your visit.
If you are unsure of any of the visiting requirements read the Department's visits booklet titled "Visiting a Correctional Centre" which explains the rules and requirements in more detail, or ring the centre and ask.
Members of the Legal Profession and other Professionals
Legal professionals
Legal practitioners and members of other professional bodies may visit their clients in custody. Where applicable, bookings should be made in advance for visits to each correctional centre as visiting requirements, days and times may differ.
Identification Requirements
Visitors in this category are required to satisfy the following criteria:
- hold a current practicing certificate issued under the Legal Profession Act 1987 and is currently practicing in NSW; or
- hold a current practicing certificate issued under the Legal Practitioners Act 1970 and is currently practicing in the ACT; or
- is qualified to practice, and is practicing in another State or Territory of Australia and is entitled to a right of audience in any court in NSW; and
- hold a current valid identification (ID) card issued by the governing body of his/her profession:
- Law Society ID card; or
- Bar Association ID card; or
- Legal Aid ID card.
Note: If legal visitors are unable to present a current valid ID card they will be subject to the same proof of identity requirements for ordinary visitors.
Offenders in custody may sometimes choose to be visited by their own medical specialist, general practitioner, allied health worker, psychiatrist or psychologist rather than by those contracted to Justice Health. In such cases, the visiting professional should contact Justice Health for visiting procedures.
Other professional visitors should contact the relevant correctional centre for visiting procedures.