Security protocols for entering a prison

Identification requirements

When visiting a prison you will be required to provide proof of your identity.

Any one of the following items are appropriate proof of identity:

• Australian photograph drivers licence
• Australian passport
• Defence Force or student photograph I.D.
  

Any two of the following items are acceptable as proof of identity:

• Medicare card
• credit card or bank card
• bank account statement or passbook
• Australian Government entitlement card (such as a pension card)
• birth certificate
• marriage certifcate
• motor vehicle registration papers
• Australian Taxation Office Group Certificate/Assessment Notice
• certificate of Australian Citizenship
• electricity/telephone account (less than 6 months old)

Searching

Routine searching procedures apply when you visit a prison facility.  These include metal detector searches (walk-through detectors and hand-held 'wand' detectors - similar to airport metal detector searches) and searches of your belongings.

In some circumstances a visitor may be asked to submit to a more thorough search before being allowed to enter a prison.  If this is the case, there are strict and specific procedures that apply and the visitor's consent is obtained prior to the search being conducted. 

If the visitor does not consent to a more thorough search, he/she may be denied access to the prison.  These searches are not routine or random, and are only carried out when specific circumstances apply.