Frequently Asked Questions
Do you know where your loved one is located?
If not, please call the Information Enquiries Line at Corrections Victoria on (03) 8684 6577. Information to provide: CRN (Correctional Reference Number - if they have an existing one), full name and Date of Birth.
Can you visit? - Are you on the visitors list?
Each prisoner can nominate at least 10 people they wish to have visit them. All approved visitors need 100 points of identification to be able to visit. Please call the relevant prison to confirm that you are an approved visitor. For further information on visits lists call VACRO.
Do you have a Correctional Reference Number (CRN)?
You may have a CRN if you have:
· been in prison
· been convicted of an offence
· been on a Intensive Community Order (ICO) or Community Based Order (CBO)
Please note those with a CRN need to get the Governor’s approval to visit. If the prisoner is moved to a different location, you will need approval from the Governor at the new prison.
Do you know the visiting hours of the prison?
Please call the prison or Corrections Victoria (03) 8684 6600 for details.
What will happen to the prisoners clothing and personal belongings?
The prisoner’s personal items will be stored by the prison. If a prisoner is transferred to a different location their personal items will also be transferred.
All belongings will be returned upon release.
What will he/she wear while in prison?
Prisoners wear their own clothes while on remand. Sentenced Prisoners are issued prison clothing. Some prisons will allow additional clothing to be dropped off by families. Enquiries can be made at the prison or Corrections Victoria (03) 8684 6600.
Will you be told in advance when the prisoner is transferred to a different prison?
No, due to privacy issues you will not be told the day and time the prisoner will be transferred. When the prisoner is at the new location, he/she can contact you from there if you are on their phone list.
Can you drop off clothing for the prisoner?
Yes, however the type of permitted items varies between prisons. Please call the prison or Corrections Victoria (03) 8684 6600 for more information.
Can you leave money for the prisoner?
Yes, however the amount of money you can leave for a prisoner varies between prisons. You will also need to specify whether you are leaving money for their phone account or for their private spending money. Please call Corrections Victoria (03) 8684 6600 for more information.
Can you leave toiletries or food for the prisoner?
No, prisoners are required to purchase their own toiletries. Prisoners are provided with three meals a day and are required to purchase any additional snacks.
Can you call the prisoner?
No, however if you are on the prisoners phone list and they have money in their phone account they can call you.
Can you write to the prisoner?
Yes, you can write unlimited letters to a prisoner. You do not have to be on the visitors list to write him/her a letter. Please note that all incoming and outgoing mail is screened by prison staff.
What should you tell the children?
Figuring out whether to tell the children about a parent’s imprisonment can be a difficult decision. Each family’s situation is unique and there may be some circumstances that make you wonder whether, or how much to tell the children. If you would like to discuss these issues, please call VACRO and speak to our Family Team. Or see our family resources.
Should you bring the children into the visit?
Generally, children’s visits to a parent in prison are worth encouraging. It can help both the parents and the children deal with separation and provide some sense of continuity. Children usually feel relief when they can see and talk to their parent and realise that they are safe.
If you have any doubts about what to tell your kids or whether to take them in to visit you can contact our Family Liaison Worker at the Melbourne Assessment Prison (MAP) (03) 9321 4173 or our Family Team at the VACRO head office.
Can you bring food or a gift into the visit centre?
No, however some prisons visit centres have a canteen or vending machines to purchase snacks and drinks. For more information, please call VACRO.
Are prisoners eligible for Centrelink payments?
No, Centrelink will be informed that a person is in prison and cease any future payments. Centrelink usually writes to the prisoner within the first two weeks of him/her being in custody.
Do you need to pay the prisoners outstanding bills/debts?
A range of loans and debts may need to be managed. Please encourage your loved one to contact the relevant business/organisation to let them know that he/she is in custody and unable to make any payments. It is advised that families seek professional advice from financial counsellors and/or legal representatives around outstanding debts and ongoing bills.
Individuals may be eligible to apply for a hardship variation if applying to the lender. Eligibility criteria includes income radically dropped, the situation will not right itself (i.e. imprisoned for more than 6-12months), to protect a mortgage, or if you can make a minimal good faith payment. If The loan/debt is in the prisoners name, a financial counsellor should be able to apply on their behalf.
Contact the Financial Consumer Rights Council (03) 9663 2000 or seek advice from your Community Legal Centre www.communitylaw.org.au has a full listing.
Free legal clinics are held at VACRO every Thursday afternoon through PILCH. For more information or to make an appointment please call VACRO.
Who else should I tell?
Consider inform relevant organisations of your change of circumstances:
Centrelink: You may now be eligible for increased or different payments. If you are caring for the children of a prisoner, these include Family Tax Benefit A, Family Tax Benefit B, Child Care Benefit, Parenting Payment, and the Double Orphan Pension. Contact: 13 2850
Office of Housing (OoH): Your rent may be reduced if you were sharing with your relative. Or if they had their own property, or encourage them to contact OoH to ask about the possibility of maintaining the property on reduced rent during their incarceration. 1300 650 172
Tenants Union: Rental contracts may need to be broken. Contact the Tenants Union for advice 9416 2577
Utility Companies: Families will need to liaise with their loved one to cancel any utilities as this can only be done by the prisoner (if it is in their name).
Child Support Agency: To reduce the repayments to a minimum. Call 131 272
Employers: Families may need to inform the employer that their loved one can't come to work. They don't need to tell the employer why but they may need to find out about any entitlements that should be paid out if their loved on has to resign and if they can get a reference or separation certificate.
What support services are available for my loved one while he/she is in prison?
All prisoners have access to clinical support services such as social workers, psychologists, medical staff and chaplaincy services. Prisoners must complete a referral form to access these services. If you have any serious concerns about the prisoner’s wellbeing, please contact prison staff or the Prison Chaplain via the prison.
I am not coping very well, is there someone that I can talk to
Yes, VACRO has a Family counsellor, and a Children's counsellor. The service is free. Please call the VACRO Family Support Team for more information.
Can VACRO assist financially?
No, VACRO cannot provide any financial assistance. However VACRO staff are happy to assist families with referrals to community agencies who provide material aid or financial counselling. Please call VACRO for further information.
Can VACRO assist with travel costs to visit the prison?
VACRO. has an Aboriginal Family Travel program which assists with tickets, petrol and accommodation when visiting family and kin at prison. To be eligible for the assistance, you will need to be on the prisoner’s visitors list. For more information, please contact VACRO.