Visit a prisoner / detainee
The Tasmania Prison Service (TPS) encourages family and friends to keep in touch with prisoners and detainees while they are in custody.
Keeping in contact with people in the community can help to support the detainee or prisoner while in prison and is also important in helping ex-prisoners to readjust to life in the community when they are released.
Book a visit
Please choose a prison to learn how to book a visit, along with the answers to many other frequently asked questions.
Mary Hutchinson Women's Prison
Rules and requirements when visiting
The TPS has many rules to ensure the safety of the public, prisoners, detainees and staff. The rules can change from time to time and can vary from facility to facility. For that reason any instruction you receive directly from the prison or Correctional Officers overrides what you read on this website and must be followed.
Along with the prison pages listed above, the following pages contain useful information:
What to expect when you visit a prison
What you can bring to the visit
All of the rules and requirements outlined on this website can be overwhelming when you first visit, so you can download a printable PDF copy of the visit rules (PDF, 278.5 KB) if you wish.
Arranging a Visit and General Information Video
COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
As you may be aware, there are increasing numbers of reported cases of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) throughout Australia. Preserving the health of our detainees, prisoners, staff and visitors is one of the Tasmania Prison Service's core priorities. Unfortunately, that has meant that some changes to the way that visits are held have become necessary.
Visit bookings can be made by contacting the Visitor Reception Centre on Ph (03) 6165 7400 during office hours (7 days a week). Please note the following:
- Prisoner and detainee visiting entitlements are determined by their legal status and contract level. Every prisoner regardless of contract level is eligible for one Zoom visit per week. Some detainees or prisoners are eligible for up to three visits a week, which includes one contact visit and two Zoom or box visits.
- For visits scheduled in the Risdon Prison Complex there is a maximum of two people visiting with a prisoner or detainee (this includes children).
- For visits scheduled in the Ron Barwick Prison there is a maximum of two people visiting with a prisoner or detainee (this includes children) except for the Sunday morning session, where the maximum number is increased to three people (this includes children).
- For visits scheduled in the Mary Hutchinson Women's Prison there is a maximum of three people visiting with a prisoner or detainee (this includes children).
- The Visitor Reception Centre (VRC) has a maximum capacity of 25 people in this area. This means if the VRC has reached capacity you may be required to wait outside until you are able to enter the building.
- All visitors aged 16 years and over are required to check in using the Check In TAS App. QR codes are displayed at VRC entry ways.
- All visitors are required to have their temperature checked and to complete a quick questionnaire before being granted entry. If you attend the VRC with symptoms, you may be denied access and your visit rescheduled
- You must not hug or kiss during contact visits.
We apologise for any inconvenience and appreciate your ongoing patience and understanding.
Virtual visits are still continuing and visitors wishing to book a virtual visit can contact the VRC during office hours to make a booking.
We hope the information on this website is useful in helping you to know what to expect when you visit.