Children visiting prison

Children can generally visit a person at any prison in Victoria. They can participate in any of the visiting types available for adults. For more information on the different types of visits, use the links on the left side of this page.

The important differences between child and adult visitors are:

• Children under 16 do not need to be on your Valid Visitor List, like an adult does.
• Children under 16 must come with an adult guardian, unless the General Manager or Operations Manager at your prison is satisfied that:
  • There are exceptional circumstances or there is a family relationship between you and the child; and
  • Allowing the visit will not place the child at risk.
• Children can only visit Restricted Access Prisoners through a special application.

Special options and programs for children visiting parents

As well as normal prison visits, there are special options and programs available for children to visit a parent in prison. These include:

• Contact visit program, even when you are not currently eligible
• Residential Visits Program (longer, private visits for family in a separate facility)
• Compassionate or special visits between a parent and child outside usual visiting programs (these are approved by the General Manager)
• Programs to support connections between parents in prison and their children

For more information on these options, use the links on the left side of this page.

Visits to non-biological parents

If you are a non-biological parent of a child (for example, if you are in a same sex relationship and were not the birthing parent), you might have more difficulty accessing the special options and programs for parents. For more information, use the link on the left side of this page.

Children living with a parent in prison

Some children are able to live with their parent in prison. This is done through the Living with Mum program and is only available at Dame Phyllis Frost Centre and Tarrengower Prison. For more information on the Living with Mum program, use the link on the left side of this page.