Prison Walkthrough - Keeping in Touch
Keeping in Touch
Keeping in touch with the outside world can be very important to those in prison. Prisoners may keep in touch by letter, telephone or visits. Rules on how much contact prisoners can have will be different if the prisoner is convicted or on remand. If the prisoner is not sure about any of the rules for keeping in contact they should ask one of the Prison Officers. If the prisoner is told that they are going to be moved to another prison the prisoner should ask straight away for a Special Letter to let their visitors know.
Visiting
The rules on visiting, as well as the visiting times and days, are different in every prison. Visitors may be searched on arrival.
It is prison service policy that anyone attempting to bring drugs into prison will be liable to prosecution. Many prisons have drug sniffer dogs working in the visit areas.
Visits usually take place in relaxed, open visits rooms, with tables and chairs, allowing the prisoner and visitor to embrace each other. However, some prisoners will only be able to receive closed visits where the visitor is separated from the prisoner by a physical barrier such as a screen. Visitors should always check the details of visiting arrangements with the prison before coming. Many prisons operate booked visits which have to be booked over the telephone or on a visit.