Information For Visitors Attending a Prisoner Wedding
- The wedding party should assemble at the institution 15 minutes before the service. The party will be moved to the Chapel in one group, late comers will not be permitted to enter the institution.
- All members of the party are liable to undergo Prison Entry Searching and any articles including food brought in will be searched.
- It is not permissible to give anything whatsoever to any Prisoner nor to receive anything whatsoever from an Prisoner.
- Visitors are required to carry out any lawful instruction that may from time to time be issued by any Staff member.
- The wedding party may consist of up to 12 family or friends including bride, groom or civil union partner.
- All visitors (including the bride or civil union partner) must complete the appropriate documentation and be approved to enter the institution. Completed forms should be returned to the Chaplain four weeks prior to the proposed wedding to give time for the approval process.
- All visitors must produce an appropriate form of identification (driver’s licence, passport, bankcard with recent photograph, student identification, community services card) on entry to the institution.
- Any clothing for the Groom should be given to the Chaplain immediately before the service and taken out of the institution immediately after the service.
- The prisoner will change into wedding clothes at the Receiving Office.
- No clothing with gang colours, emblems or symbols will be permitted.
- A wedding cake and knife to cut it are permitted for the occasion only, however custodial or Chaplaincy Staff will take the knife to the Chapel and the Chaplain will look after the knife except when it is in use.
- One “still” camera and one spare film are permitted. Custodial or Chaplaincy Staff will carry these to and from the Chapel. Photos may only be taken inside the Chapel.
- The wedding party may bring in refreshments. The main principle is to have finger food, i.e.: food that can be picked up in the fingers to be eaten, and not need cutlery or plates and bowls. No liquids may be brought in. The Chaplaincy will supply cold drinks and tea/coffee. The wedding party may find it helpful to bring a small supply of disposable cardboard plates with them. Any containers that are brought in must leave the Prison.
Leftover food is to be removed from the institution at the completion of the service. Prisoners are not permitted to take anything back to the Units.
- Under the Corrections Act 2004, sections 96,97,99 and 101, any persons attending the Institution and any vehicles brought into the Institution shall be liable while in the Institution to be searched. Any person who fails to submit to a search shall be refused admission to the Institution.
Drug detection dogs are used on a random basis at this institution
- Custodial staff will remain in attendance at all times. At no time will the wedding party be permitted to associate without direct supervision.
