Children visiting

If you are the child's parent or legal guardian and you are an approved visitor you may bring your children in to visit. You must have included their details on your application to visit a prisoner.

Please note: The following information is a guide only and may be subject to change. Any information you receive from prison staff overrides this information and must be followed.

Child identification

You will need to provide identification for the child at every visit. This identification can be a current Medicare Card, Healthcare Card, Concession Card or birth certificate with the child's name on it.

During the visit

Toys, books and play facilities

There are limited toys, books and play facilities for young children in the contact visit areas of each of prison. It is suggested that when children are brought in to visit that most of the time is spent playing with them, otherwise they can become bored and disruptive.

If adults have issues that they need to discuss without the disruption of children it is best to find alternative care arrangements.

All visitors are asked to keep an eye on their children to ensure they do not interfere with or disturb other visitors or prisoners during the visit period. At the end of the visit any toys or books used by the children should be put away.

Food and drink

You can bring in one bottle for babies and infants. Unfortunately, to limit the introduction of banned items into the prison, the rules state that you cannot bring in other food.

I don't want to visit, but the children do - can someone else take them in to visit?

Yes, an individual can apply for special permission to accompany a child other than their own to a visit. That person must however be an approved visitor to do so, and have permission from the child's parent or legal guardian.

Click here to lodge a Minor Visitor Authorisation Form.

I'm 17 and independent so why can't I visit without an adult?

The rules are that all persons under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult when they are visiting someone in the prison. In exceptional circumstances you may apply to the Director of Prisons for an exemption to this rule.

How do I book a visit?

Please see the visiting prisoners page (and the prison pages it links to) for details on how to book, visiting times, prison details and related frequently asked questions.

Last updated: 20 September 2021