Rules for visiting a prisoner
Part of the Prison topic
Understand the rules you must follow when visiting a prisoner in Queensland.
In short
You must follow the rules when visiting a prisoner in a Queensland prison.
These rules apply when you want to:
- visit a prisoner in person
- bring a child to visit a prisoner
- give approved items to a prisoner.
If you don’t follow these rules your visit may be cancelled, your visiting privileges may be suspended, and you may be charged with a criminal offence.
You must
To comply with the rules in Queensland you must:
- Complete a personal visitor application (Form 27) and provide:
- current identification documents (ID) or photocopies of ID certified by a Justice of the Peace (JP) or Commissioner for Declarations (Cdec)
- details of any criminal convictions.
- Book your visit in advance during the prison's nominated booking times.
- Follow the dress code, including wearing proper shoes, appropriate coverage and clean clothes in good condition.
- Bring approved ID to every visit.
- Enrol in the Biometric Identity System.
- Supervise children at all times.
- Comply with security checks, including scans, searches and drug detection.
- Follow all instructions from officers during your visit.
You cannot
To comply with the rules in Queensland you cannot:
- Bring prohibited items into prison, including cigarettes, lighters, matches or other smoking-related products.
- Wear clothing that:
- is see through or exposes underwear
- displays racist or derogatory slogans, gang insignias or motorcycle gang colours
- is excessively torn, stained or dirty
- steel-capped boots, high heels (over 5cm) or swimwear.
- Wear jewellery other than wedding or engagement rings.
- Give money, documentation or personal items directly to the prisoner during your visit.
- Remove anything from the prison.
- Interview or photograph a prisoner or any part of the prison.
- Behave inappropriately or break the rules during your visit.
Exceptions and special circumstances
- You can bring approved items (for example, socks, singlets and underwear for the prisoner), but they must be handed to a Visits Processing Officer with a completed form.
- Children can visit if:
- they have an established relationship with the prisoner
- they can provide one proof of identity document from the approved ID list
- there are no court orders preventing contact between the prisoner and the child
- the visit is thought to be in the best interests of the child.
Special conditions may be imposed on the child’s visit, such as being on a non-contact visit.