Arranging visits with friends and family

Visitor List

To arrange a visit with a friend or family member, they will need to be on your approved visitor list (also known as the Valid Visitors List).

You can have up to 10 people on your visitor list at a time. You can apply to change the visitors on your list at any time.

To add someone to your visitor list, you will need these details:

• Full name (first name and last name)
• Date of birth
• Address

The prison will do a check on every person before adding them to your list. Some people will need written permission from the General Manager of your prison to visit you (see more information below).

Your family and friends can check if they have been added to your Valid Visitor List by calling Corrections on 1300 191 835 or emailing them at corrections@justice.vic.gov.au. It will be helpful for them to know your CRN when they call or email.

Important: Your prison should not refuse to add someone to your visitor list unless they have a good reason. If you think the prison is unfairly refusing to add someone to your list, you can make a complaint to your unit manager or General Manager. If you don’t get a response or are not happy with the response you get, you can complain to the Victorian Ombudsman. For more information, see the Making a complaint section on the home page.

Special permission from the General Manager for some visitors

A person will need to get written permission from the General Manager at your prison to visit you if they:

• Have previously been banned from visiting a Victorian prison
• Have a Corrections Reference Number (CRN) or Person Identification (PID)
• Are on parole
• Are currently or have previously been on a Community Correction Order

How do I book a visit?

The process for booking a visit will depend on your prison. You should speak to your case worker or unit manager about the process for booking a visit.

Usually prisons will want you to book a visit at least 48 hours in advance. However, you are entitled to a last-minute visit booking immediately after you are sentenced in court, or before you are being transferred to another prison. This comes from the Deputy Commissioner’s Instructions 3.04.