This page answers common questions about visiting a prison, phoning or posting items to a prisoner, what life is like in prison and details on the release process.
How do I apply to be a visitor?
There are several steps required to visit a prison. The process is explained here.
How often can I visit?
This will depend on the prison. As a minimum, each prisoner will be allowed one 30 minute visit per week.
Can children visit a prison?
Yes. A prisoner may have a maximum of three children and three adults (16 years and over) visiting at any one time.
I have a conviction, will this stop me from visiting?
When someone applies to visit a prison, they must allow a search of any criminal history they have. Any applicant with a previous conviction will be assessed by the Prison Manager but may still be approved to visit.
Can I bring food or presents for the prisoner when I visit?
Generally no. No food can be brought in and any other items must be pre-approved and not breach prison rules. Contact the prison to check any items you would like to give to the prisoner before going to visit. Contact details for all prisons can be found here.
What happens if I break visiting rules or am found with contraband?
Breaching prison rules could result in visitors having to immediately leave the site and they could be issued with a prohibition order preventing them from visiting again for a length of time. If a visitor is thought to be carrying illegal drugs they can be detained at the prison so Police can be called to investigate.
I can’t afford to travel to the prison to visit, is there any form of financial assistance I can seek?
Prisoners Aid & Rehabilitiation Society (PARS) often assist with travel for prisoner visitors and most prisons have a PARS contact person.
What happens if I work on the visiting day allocated to a prisoner?
If you are unable to attend a scheduled visit for a prisoner, you can contact the prison and seek permission for a visit at an alternative time. Note, there may be different restrictions with an alternative visiting time depending on the security rating of prisoners having visits at that time. Contact details for all prisons can be found here.
Can I phone a prisoner?
You cannot phone a prisoner directly. If you want to contact a prisoner urgently you can phone the prison and they can ask the prisoner to call you. Contact details for all prisons can be found here.
Can a prisoner phone me?
Prisoners can select up to 10 phone numbers they are able to call. These must be approved by prison staff and the people they wish to call before they can be used. Apart from some free (0800) numbers, prisoners must pay for the calls they make. To do so, they can buy phone cards in prison or have them brought in to them. The calls cost the same as using a pay phone in the community.
Can prisoners have cellphones?
No. Cellphones are banned from every prison and visitors cannot bring them into one.
Can prisoners use email or the internet?
No. Prisoners do not have access to computers with internet capabilities.
Can I send items like phone cards, clothes or books to a prisoner?
Phone cards can be posted to a prisoner. If you wish to send a prisoner other items like clothing, books and magazines or radios and music players, each prison has its own processes for dealing with these.
Generally a prisoner needs to request an item and have that approved by staff before they can receive it. Contact the prison to find out its regulations before posting anything. Contact details for all prisons can be found here.
Can I send money to a prisoner?
Do not send cash to a prisoner. Family or friends can deposit money into a prisoner's trust account which prisoners can then use to buy approved grocery items once a week.
Deposits can be made by posting a cheque made out to the prisoner to the prison or by depositing a cheque, cash or a money order while visiting. Electronic deposits can also be made if they are arranged in advance by phoning the prison and talking to the prison trust clerk. Contact details for all prisons can be found here.
Prisoners can only have $200 maximum in their trust account.
Is the mail checked or read before prisoners receive it?
Yes. Before being given to a prisoner letters will be opened by Corrections staff to check for contraband. Mail may also be checked by our drug dogs so there can sometimes be a delay in prisoners receiving items.
Can I send food to a prisoner?
No. Food is a banned item and will be removed when the mail is checked by Corrections staff.
Can prisoners send letters overseas?
Yes. However, Corrections will only pay for prisoners sending up to three standard post letters within New Zealand each week.
What programmes/education/employment opportunities are available to prisoners?
Every sentenced prisoner is assessed and given a sentence plan soon after their arrival in prison. This plan will have objectives designed to address whatever rehabilitation needs the prisoners is identified as having.
These may include programmes to motivate offenders to change their behaviour or tackle specific issues like drug and alcohol abuse or violence. Many prisons also have specialist units aimed at specific causes of offending.
Educationally, depending on a prisoner’s assessment, they may be able to take courses to improve their basic literacy and numeracy skills, earn National Certificate in Educational Achievement (NCEA) credits and work towards trade or industry-related qualifications. Some prisoners may also be able to undertake distance learning for tertiary qualifications but must pay the costs of this themselves, like any other student.
Depending on a prisoner’s individual circumstances, there is a range of employment possibilities designed to improve prisoners’ chances of getting work when released – which research shows makes them less likely to re-offend.
Find out more about programmes for offenders.
Will my relative/friend be safe in prison?
Corrections treats all prisoners in a fair and humane manner and works to keep them as safe as possible. If a prisoner is concerned about their safety they can talk to prison staff and may be kept separated from other prisoners.
I’m worried about the prisoner’s wellbeing, who can I contact about this?
Call the main prison reception and tell them about your concerns. Contact details for all prisons can be found here.
What type of personal possessions can offenders have in prison?
Except in certain circumstances, prisoners are allowed to have a certain amount of approved items in their cells. These include:
There are limitations around size and quantity for many items so the prisoner should check the rules with prison staff before friends or relatives bring them anything.
If electronic goods are being brought in they will need to be checked by a qualified technician before being allowed into the prison. The cost of this must be paid by the prisoner.
Can an offender bring personal hygiene/grooming products like a toothbrush, soap, shampoo, or make-up into prison?
Prisoners are allowed a small amount of personal toiletries provided they meet certain criteria.
If a new prisoner arrives with personal hygiene/grooming products they will be checked for contraband and for whether they comply with the rules. These include no aerosols or sprays, no glass containers or products containing alcohol and no nail polish/remover. If the products are approved they will be returned to the prisoner.
However, when those items need replacing, prisoners can only do so through the prison's weekly shopping system. Family and friends cannot send items like this to a prisoner.
Can a prisoner buy things?
Prisons have a weekly shopping system where prisoners, provided they have money in their prison trust account, can purchase goods from a list of approved grocery items. The list includes things like phone cards, sweets, shaving gear, soap, etc.
Family and friends of a prisoner can deposit money into their account or a prisoner can arrange for money from their normal bank account to be transferred into their prison account. A prisoner can have a maximum of $200 in their account and can generally spend no more than $70 per week.
What’s the difference between a remand or sentenced prisoner?
A sentenced prisoner has been convicted in court and sentenced to a term of imprisonment. A remand prisoner has been placed in custody while they wait for their trial or sentencing. The two groups are kept separate in prison.
Can prisoners wear their own clothes in prison?
In most cases, sentenced prisons will wear prison clothing. Some prisons may allow prisoners to wear some of their own clothing. Gang clothing and patches are not allowed. Remand prisoners are allowed to wear their own clothes.
What happens with prescribed medication?
Prisoners are given a health check soon after their arrival at a prison. They can inform the medical staff if they take any medication for a health condition. The staff can arrange for prisoners to keep getting any required medication.
Can prisoners be released for funerals or a family emergency?
Only if they meet certain criteria for temporary release for these purposes. The prisoner can ask prison staff about this.
Can a prisoner be released for a home visit?
Only if they meet certain criteria for temporary release for these purposes. The prisoner can ask prison staff about this.
When does a prisoner become eligible for parole?
Unless the court has imposed a minimum non-parole period, all prisoners serving sentences of more than two years can be considered for parole after serving one-third of their sentence.
Prisoners serving sentences of less than two years are released after serving half of their sentence. They are not seen by the parole board but may be subject to release conditions imposed by the court that sentenced them.
The Department of Corrections does not decide whether a prisoner is released on parole. When a prisoner becomes eligible, The New Zealand Parole Board will consider their case and decide whether they are released into the community under the supervision of a probation officer.
More information on parole can be found on the New Zealand Parole Board website (external link).
How do I know when a prisoner will be released?
In general, Corrections only advises the Police and any registered victims of an offender about when a prisoner is released. More information on the Victim Notification Register.
However, in some cases, sharing information is in everyone’s best interests, including the offender and their family. For example, if the person has a significant history of violent or sexual offending, the Police and Corrections may notify immediate neighbours or agencies (such as schools) that the person is being released, and provide information and guidance.
Almost all offenders will return to living in the community at some stage and releasing information about them can make their rehabilitation and reintegration harder, which may lead to further crimes.
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