Commissioner’s Requirements

The Commissioner’s Requirements are requirements for operating any prison in Victoria. They should be followed by all prison staff in Victoria.

There are five sections in the Requirements:

1. Security and control (e.g. contraband, controlled items, strip searches)
2. Prisoner management
3. Programs
4. Prisoner services
5. Healthcare services

Scroll down for a full list of items that are available to the public under each topic.

Access: the Commissioner’s Requirements is a public document and is available on the Corrections Victoria website. You can request access to the Requirements from prison staff or see if it’s available in your prison library.

Part 1 – Security and Control

1.1.7 – Taking Forensic Samples from Prisoners

1.2.3 – Strip searches in prisons

1.2.4 – Barrier control procedures

1.2.5 – Use of Ion Scanning Technology

1.2.6 – Preservation of evidence and management of seized contraband

1.2.7 – Identified drug user program

1.2.8 – Funeral attendance of Aboriginal prisoners

1.2.9 – Contraband and controlled items

1.3.1 – Incident reporting

1.3.2. – Fire incident reporting and monitoring

1.3.3 – Reporting and review of prisoner deaths

1.3.4 – Information management and security

1.3.5 – Notification of privacy complaints and/or alleged privacy breaches

1.4.2 – Surveillance, taping protocols and retention periods

1.4.3 – Maintenance and testing of technological systems in prisons

1.4.4 – Access to and security of Corrections Victoria data for research and evaluation purposes

1.4.5 – Prisoner communications

1.4.6 – Media access

1.4.7 – Body worn cameras

1.4.8 – Conduct and ethics (DOCX, 95.02 KB)

Part 2 – Prisoner Management

2.1.1 – Prisoner property

2.1.2 – Prisoner Computers and Gaming Consoles

2.1.4 – Universal Serial Bus (USB) storage devices for prisoners

2.2.1 – Sentence management manual

2.2.2 – Corrections Administration Permits and Rehabilitation and Transition Permits & Interstate Leaves of Absence operational guidelines

2.2.2a – Administration permits summary table

2.3.1 – Management of at-risk prisoners

2.3.2 – Emergency management days

2.3.3 – Disciplinary Process and Prisoner Privileges

2.3.4 – Prisoner video conferencing/telecourt procedures

2.3.5 – Management of prisoner photographs

2.3.6 – Marriage and commitment ceremonies in prison

2.3.7 – Smoke-free work environment

2.3.8 – Remand prisoners

2.4.1 – Management of prisoners who are Trans, Gender Diverse or Intersex

2.4.2 – Anti-Discrimination with respect to prisoners

2.4.3 – Disclosure of prisoner/offender information

2.5.1 – E*Justice risks and recommended actions

2.6.1 – Parole application process

2.7.1 – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Prisoners (DOCX, 69.44 KB)

Part 3 – Programs and Industry

3.1.1 – Transitional support and preparation for release

3.1.2 – Judy Lazarus Transition Centre

3.1.3 – Prisoner employment

3.2.1 – Management of Visits to Prisoners

3.2.2 – Visits by children to restricted access prisoners

3.3.1 – Prison recreation

3.3.2 – Exercise awareness

3.4.1 – Living with mum program (DOCX, 207.29 KB)

Part 4 – Prisoner Services

4.1.1 – Prisoner Monies

4.2.1 – Prisoner Telephone System

4.2.2 – Travel assistance

4.2.3 – Prison libraries and prisoner access to legal resources

4.5.1 – Aboriginal art program

4.2.4 – Prisoner access to videotapes and DVDs

4.3.1 – Prisoners’ name changes

4.3.2 – Prisoner voting

4.3.3 – Prisoners’ application to alter their record of sex

4.4.1 – Religion and spirituality in prisons

Part 5 – Healthcare Services

5.1.1 – Issue of Medications by Correctional Officers

5.1.2 – Medical Emergency where a prisoner seeks not to be resuscitated

5.1.3 – Prisoners with an end-of-life illness

5.1.4 – Infectious Disease Outbreak