Residential Visits Program (conjugal visits)

Some prisons have a Residential Visits Program, also known as conjugal visits. These are allowed under section 38 of the Corrections Act 1986 (Vic).

Residential Visits Programs allow eligible people in prison to have extended private time with a visitor from their family, without being supervised by a prison officer. You are allowed physical contact a these visits. They will usually happen at a nearby hotel or property outside of the prison.

Section 38 says if you are eligible for the Residential Visits Program, the prison must tell you and explain what is available.

Part 3.04 of the Deputy Commissioner’s Instructions has basic rules about all Residential Visits Programs. This includes who is eligible for the Residential Visits Program, and who will be allowed to visit. Some of these rules are explained below.

Who can come for residential visits?

Residential visits are only allowed for ‘family members’. This includes a:

• Partner
• Child (including biological child, stepchild or child in your custody)
• Parent
• Sibling
• Grandparent
• Parents-in-law
• Grandparents-in-law

It can also include anyone you have a “long standing close personal relationship” with. If the person is not a direct family member, you will need to show the prison you already had a relationship for at least 12 months before you went into prison.

If you are having a residential visit with a partner, you are allowed to have intimate or sexual contact. Condoms and dental dams should be provided by the prison before the visit.

How long do residential visits go for?

At the beginning of the Residential Visits Program, visits should be between 3-8 hours. If you stay in the program, visits can increase to a maximum of 24 hours.

How often can I have a residential visit?

Residential visits can occur no more than once every 8 weeks.

Eligibility requirements

There are many eligibility requirements in part 3.04 of the Deputy Commissioner’s Instructions.

For a list of eligibility requirements, use the link on the left side of this page.