Incoming/outgoing mail and photos
The TPS encourages communication between remandees or prisoners and their families, friends and other professionals.
Mail should be addressed to them by name on the front of the envelope, with the sender’s name and address on the back, as per the following example:
All incoming mail (except privileged mail) will be opened by authorised correctional staff members to ensure that there are no illegal or unauthorised items contained within the mail.
Please note that mail from legal firms must be clearly identified or else it may be opened by correctional staff prior to being delivered to the remandee or prisoner.
There is no tracking system for incoming and outgoing mail, delivery can be subject to operational delays.
Prisoners and remandees are allowed to send one letter per day, paid for by the TPS.
Every item of written communication by or to a prisoner or remandee may be opened and read by an authorised staff member.
Some forms of communication are exempt from being opened (unless staff reasonably suspect that the letter contains an unauthorised item). That mail must be clearly identifiable as coming from, or going to, one of the following:
- Equal Opportunity Tasmania
- Attorney-General
- Consul of the country of which the prisoner is a citizen
- Custodial Inspector
- Department of Social Services
- Director of Corrective Services
- Director of Prisons
- Electoral Office
- Integrity Commission
- Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission
- Member of Parliament
- Minister for Corrections
- Office of the Ombudsman
- Parole Board
- Prisoner’s or remandees legal practitioner at his or her business address
- Tasmania Prison Service Complaints Coordinator
Mail or parcels containing any unauthorised article or material, or appearing to contain any threatening or otherwise disturbing/distressing information or language will be returned to sender or placed in the prisoner's property until they are released.
'Mechanical' cards, such as those with the ability to play a musical tune upon opening and handmade cards containing stickers, glitter or other glued items are not permitted and will also be returned to sender or placed in the prisoner's property until they are released.
Any paintings will be colour photocopied by authorised correctional staff members with the copy given to the intended prisoner or remandee, the original placed in the prisoner's property until they are released.
The TPS takes reasonable steps in line with its standing orders and processes to prevent contact between a prisoner and another person when there is an active protective order in place, or where a member of the public has asked not to be contacted.
Members of the public can formally request that a prisoner or remandee be restricted from contacting them or a child of whom they are the parent or legal guardian. Formal requests to restrict contact are to be made in writing.
If you have any concerns or questions about this process, please contact us.
Photographs
No more than 5 photographs are permitted to be sent via post, or brought, to the prison at any one time.
- Photographs must not be sexually explicit, show graphic nudity, or partially clothed people.
- Photographs must not depict graphic violence or contain any gang related items.
- Photographs should not contain groups of children/people.
- Photographs of text messages or other forms of electronic communication are not accepted.
The photographs must not be larger than 6" x 4" (15 x 10cm).
Any photographs that do not conform to this size or the content restrictions, will be returned to sender or placed in the prisoner's property until they are released.