Hobart Reception Prison

To visit you will need to become an approved visitor. Before you can become an approved visitor, the prisoner or remandee will need to nominate you.

If you are not nominated, you will not be allowed to visit. Once you have been nominated, the Visitor Reception Centre (VRC) will send you an application form.

This application form must be returned to the VRC with a copy of current photographic identification. Please allow up to 5 business days for your application to be processed, then call the VRC to check the progress of your application.

If your application has been approved, you will need to ring the VRC to book a visit before arriving at the prison. All visits must be booked with a minimum of 24 hours notice and no further than 7 days in advance.

Yes, we suggest you phone the prison to confirm the visit - especially if you are travelling a long distance. This is because sometimes prisons are in 'lockdown' and visits are cancelled, or the person you are visiting may have been moved to another prison or become ineligible for visits.

Yes, proof of identification must be provided at each visit.

You can find out more detail on the what to expect when you visit page.

Yes, you will be asked to assist staff to ensure no prohibited items are brought into the prison.

You can find out more detail on the what to expect when you visit page.

Please check with the individual prison.

Yes, children can visit. However anyone under the age of 18 must be in the company of an approved visitor, who is their parent or legal guardian.

Read more about children visiting.

Yes, there is a dress code when visiting prison facilities. If you do not meet the appropriate dress code, you will not be allowed a visit.

You can find out more detail on the what to expect when you visit page.

No, smoking is not permitted anywhere on prison grounds, including the driveway and carpark.

Tobacco products are also not to be brought onto prison grounds.

Appropriate behaviour

During a contact visit the following behaviour is acceptable:

• a greeting and goodbye embrace and kiss
• holding hands.

Inappropriate behaviour

The following behaviour by you or the person you are visiting will not be tolerated and may result in the visit being stopped:

• prolonged or frequent touching and kissing that is deemed to be inappropriate by prison staff
• lewd, inappropriate, offensive or disruptive behaviour
• people believed to be under the influence of a substance will not be allowed to enter the prison or will be asked to leave the visit.

Yes, if there is any breach of prison regulations or inappropriate behaviour a visit can be stopped or changed to a non-contact visit.

You will not be allowed to enter the prison if you are inappropriately dressed, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Visits may be delayed if someone is running late or if there are security concerns for example. Efforts are made to minimise delays but sometimes they can't be avoided.

Visits will need to be cancelled from time to time. Once again, efforts are made to keep these to a minimum but will occur if:

• the prison is in lockdown
• the person you are visiting has lost privileges due to a breach of prison rules
• the visitor does not follow the rules and procedures of the visit
• the prisoner/remandee has moved to another prison.

Contact visit

Conducted in designated areas within the prison. Limited physical contact is permitted between the prisoner/remandee and visitor.

Non-contact visit

No physical contact is allowed between the prisoner/remandee and visitor. These visits are conducted in specially designed cubicles. You might hear them referred to as 'box visits'.

Virtual visit

No physical contact between the prisoner/remandee and visitor. These visits are conducted using the software system Zoom from the comfort of your own home or private space. You might hear them referred to as 'video’ or ‘virtual’ visits.

Professional visit

The rules for professional visitors are different and anyone wishing to make a professional visit should contact the prison to obtain details first.

Professional visitors include:

• Officers of the Ombudsman's Office
• Legal practitioners on official business
• Official visitors
• Approved Centrelink staff, and
• Probation Officers.

No, the Tasmania Prison Service does not facilitate visits at prison facilities on Christmas Day.

North and North West

City Mission provide a bus to Risdon Prison for people who live in the North or North West of the state wishing to visit relatives in prison. The bus runs every second Saturday each month and twice in December.

To make a booking please call City Mission during office hours Monday to Friday on (03) 6335 3000

Please remember once you have secured a seat on the bus you will need to ring the prison to book the visit for the same day.

South

For visitors without a car, please consider using a taxi or ride share service, or check the Metro Tasmania website for your local bus timetables.