Prison visit updates

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Last updated: 14 Mar 2025

We know how important visits from friends and whānau/family are to people in prison and to supporting their rehabilitation and reintegration.

Like many other agencies and businesses, we are currently experiencing a number of staffing challenges, including an increase in COVID-19 and seasonal flu sickness. This impacts our ability to facilitate face-to-face visits safely.

Some prisons are facilitating visits with limited availability. Please contact the prison for more information around visiting times.

Visits will resume at sites when we are able to safely facilitate them.

Visit status by site

Site
Visit status
Northern Region
Northland Region Corrections Facility
Open
Auckland Prison
Open
Mt Eden Corrections Facility
Open
Auckland Region Women's Corrections Facility
Open
Auckland South Corrections Facility
Open
Central Region
Spring Hill Corrections Facility
Open
Waikeria Prison
Open
Tongariro Prison
Open
Lower North Region
Whanganui Prison
Open
Hawke's Bay Regional Prison
Open
Manawatū Prison
Open
Rimutaka Prison
Open
Arohata Prison
Open
Southern Region
Christchurch Men's Prison
Open
Christchurch Women's Prison
Open
Rolleston Prison
Open
Otago Corrections Facility
Open
Invercargill Prison
Open

While we do our best to ensure planned visits go ahead, there may be times where visits need to be cancelled at short notice, or when we need to restrict visits in the event of an outbreak. We will try to give advance notice to visitors where possible if this occurs.

Video calling will continue to be used, particularly where face-to-face visits remain paused.

COVID-19 testing, mask use, and vaccination

  • We encourage visitors with symptoms of COVID-19 to take a Rapid Antigen Test and return a negative result at home prior to visiting a prison.
  • Visitors are encouraged to wear masks during their visit, but they are not required.
  • COVID-19 vaccination is not required for people visiting prison but we encourage all visitors to be vaccinated and boosted.