Individual in custody

This section describes some of the ways you can keep in touch with your loved one or friend if he or she is being held in custody.

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

Keeping in touch with an individual in custody

If your loved one or friend is being held in a correctional centre, you may keep in touch with them by telephone, mail or in-person or virtual visits.

If they are serving a sentence of less than two years, they will be in a provincial correctional centre. To get in touch with your loved one or friend, you can pass them a message through corrections staff, book a visit, write a letter, leave a voicemail or receive a collect phone call.

See Contact BC Corrections for instructions on how to communicate with an individual in provincial custody. Due to privacy laws, BC Corrections is unable to confirm or deny if an individual is in custody, if the individual received your message, or compel an individual to return a message.

If your friend or loved one is serving a sentence of two years or more, they will be in a federal correctional centre. See the Correctional Service of Canada for more information.

Visiting an individual in custody

If your loved one or friend is serving a sentence of less than two years they will be held in a provincial correctional centre. To arrange a visit, contact a correctional centre. You may be able to book a virtual visit using video technology at provincial correctional centres.  

If your loved one or friend is serving a sentence of two years or more they will be held in a federal correctional centre, you will need approval from the Correctional Service of Canada to visit them. The first step is to fill out and submit the visiting application and information form. For more information and to obtain this form, visit the Correctional Service of Canada website.