Visiting an Offender

If your family member or friend is a youth, they are treated differently. See Youth Justice for more information.

This section provides information to help you understand what to expect when you go to visit a loved one or friend in a correctional centre.

What to Expect

Your first time at the correctional centre may be intimidating. But understanding the process and jail procedures may help you to feel more comfortable. 

The following generally describes what may happen when you arrive at the correctional centre.

• You will sign in and show your identification
• Corrections staff will record your name and the inmate’s (offender’s) name
• You will be subject to security screening, including searches of your belongings and person
• You will be reminded it is a criminal offence to bring anything into the jail prohibited by law (for example, drugs, weapons, explosives or a bomb)
• You will not be permitted to smoke inside the jail or outside within the jail perimeter