Australian Capital Territory
Corrections Management (Private Family Visits) Policy 2010
Notifiable instrument NI2010-373
made under the  
Corrections Management Act 2007, section 14(1) (Corrections policies and operating procedures) 

1	Name of instrument
This instrument is the Corrections Management (Private Family Visits) Policy 2010.
2	Commencement
This instrument commences on the day after it is notified.
3	Policy
I make the

private family visits policy

attached to this instrument, to facilitate the effective and efficient management of correctional services.

4	Revocation
	This instrument revokes notifiable instrument NI2009-155

James Ryan
Executive Director 
ACT Corrective Services
6 July 2010

ACT Corrective Services
All Facilities and Operations

Private Family Visits Policy

Purpose
Authority
Legislation
Policy
Principles
Terms
Objectives
Eligibility
Application for Private Family Visits
Private Family Visits Panel
Prisoner Eligibility Requirements and Considerations
Visitor Eligibility and PFV Process
Conditions of PFV
Acceptable Behaviour
Duration and Frequency
Supervision
Emergencies
Searching
Permitted Articles
Children – Duty of Care
Withdrawal
Forms/Templates
Related Policies and Procedures

Purpose
To outline the private family visits policy.

Authority
Legislation
Corrections Management Act 2007, sections 14, 49 and part 9.8.

Policy
Principles
Private Family Visits (PFVs) provide a means of maintaining family and conjugal ties during imprisonment, and can help to reduce the impact of separation experienced by families and partners.

PFVs support the rehabilitation of prisoners before they rejoin the community. PFV programs support this aim. The active maintenance of family relationships, including intimate relationships, during imprisonment has been shown to improve the overall wellbeing of prisoners and supports their successful social reintegration on release.

PFVs will be of two categories:
•	A visit with family members, including children; and
•	A conjugal visit with a  spouse or partner

Terms
Family Member – spouse, common-law partner, child, parent, foster parent, sibling, grandparent and persons with whom, in the opinion of the Superintendent, the prisoner has a close familial bond.

PFVs – extended visits for eligible prisoners with a family member/s in domestic surroundings at the AMC visits centre to promote personal relationships under reduced supervision.

Common-law Partner – a person, who, at the time of the prisoner’s conviction, had lived with the prisoner for at least six (6) months and was considered the prisoner’s partner in the community in which they lived.  Same-sex partners are also considered common-law partners.

Caregiver Program – a program for eligible female caregivers to maintain parenting responsibilities while in custody at the AMC, including full and part-time residential arrangements, and extended visiting schedules to facilitate nursing and bonding.

Objectives
PFVs encourage eligible prisoners to develop and maintain family ties and intimate relationships, and to lessen the negative impact of medium and long-term imprisonment on these relationships.

The program aims to reinforce prisoners’ social identity and relationships in the community, thereby contributing to improved levels of motivation towards rehabilitation. Additionally, opportunities have extended to visiting with family and partners in a private, residential-style area can minimise the experience of social isolation and improve the prisoner’s morale.

PFVs offer eligible prisoners the opportunity to spend extended time with family members in a private, domestic setting located within the visits centre. These visits will take place under reduced supervision. PFVs support prisoners to identify themselves as parents and partners, and to develop strategies to maintain these roles during and after imprisonment.

Eligibility
The majority of prisoners who apply for PFVs will be sentenced, however, at the discretion of the Superintendent, remandees may also be considered suitable to participate in the program.

Application for Private Family Visits
The application for PFVs is administered by the prisoner’s case manager. Forms are held by case officers who will facilitate referral of the prisoner’s application to their case manager and the private family visits panel - see appendix A for PFV application form

Where a proposed PFV relates to children who are clients of the ACT Care and Protection Unit of the Officer for Children, Youth and Family Services (OCYFS) should be contacted to ensure that all relevant information is presented to the PFV Panel and Superintendent prior to a decision being made.
The assessment of applications for PFVs will be finalised within 14 days.

Private Family Visits Panel
A private family visits panel will assess a prisoner’s eligibility for the program.  

The panel will be comprised of:
•	the Deputy Superintendent;
•	the prisoner’s Case Manager;
•	the Offender Services Manager; 
•	the Indigenous Liaison Officer where appropriate; and
•	any other person deemed relevant by the Deputy Superintendent.

The panel will consider a prisoner’s application for a PFV with reference to the eligibility requirements (set out below) and will subsequently make a recommendation to the Superintendent in support of, or against, the application.  
This recommendation should include any suggested conditions of the visit.

Prisoner Eligibility Requirements and Considerations
Eligible prisoners may apply to participate in the PFV program. However, PFVs are an earned privilege and eligibility is subject, in the first instance, to an Intelligence assessment of a prisoner’s classification and offending background. 

The consideration of a prisoner’s eligibility for a PFV will take into account the following criteria:
•	A consistent record of good conduct at the AMC, usually over a minimum period of three months, including an absence of contraband breaches; 
•	The absence of any evidence of drug use, including adverse urinalysis results and possession of drugs/ drug implements, for a minimum period of at least three months;
•	A consistent record of regular visiting with the proposed family members/children;
•	The absence of current AVOs/DVOs in relation to the proposed family members or a known history of family violence;
•	The absence of contravening court orders relating to the children; 
•	The support of the PFV Panel and recommendations for proposed PFVs; and
•	Compliance and participation with prisoner rehabilitation plan.

Subject to a prisoner’s ability to demonstrate eligibility against the above criteria, other relevant conditions may be imposed by the Superintendent on an individual basis.  For further information see Conditions of a PFV.

Visitor Eligibility and PFV Process
Family members and persons with whom, in the opinion of the private family visits panel, the prisoner has a close personal bond are eligible to participate in the PFV program.

All relevant family members and close associates must have a consistent record of regularly visiting with the prisoner and of adhering to ACTCS policies and procedures during visits.

Family members involved in PFVs must participate in an initial screening interview with the prisoner’s case manager.  

At this interview, the case manager will:
•	provide family members with an overview of the PFV program;
•	assess family members’ readiness/willingness to participate in PFVs; and
•	provide an opportunity for family members to discuss any issues they may have with the proposed visit.

Where a PFV has been approved by the Superintendent, family members will need to participate in an additional briefing interview with the case manager, prior to the arranged PFV.

At this briefing, the case manager will:
•	outline the individual conditions of the PFV as specified by the Superintendent; and
•	address any questions or issues raised by the family member.

Following the initial PFV (and subsequent visits where it is deemed necessary), the case manager will conduct a follow-up interview with family members to ensure that there are no issues arising from the visit and to assess their ability to participate in future PFVs.

On the basis of a positive assessment of the initial visit, regular future visits may be applied for.

Unaccompanied children are not able to participate in the PFV program. In cases where there are no adult family members able or willing to participate in a PFV, or where the child resides at the AMC with their mother (who is also a prisoner), alternative voluntary escorts/companions must accompany the child at a PFV.

N.B. The prisoner should also be interviewed by the case manager on application and advised of the conditions/ responsibilities following PFV approval.

Conditions of PFV
Subject to the discretion of the Superintendent, conditions may be imposed on PFVs.  Conditions may relate to:
•	the level of supervision/monitoring applied to the visit/s; or
•	other matters deemed appropriate by the Superintendent.

In certain circumstances, depending on the extent to which an individual can demonstrate eligibility for the PFV Program, prisoners may have the opportunity to spend extended, private time with spouse/partners by participating in conjugal visits.  Where such a visit is approved, condoms will be provided in visits rooms. 

Prisoners and adult visitors are responsible for ensuring that the prescribed conditions of the visit are adhered to. Breaches of individual conditions will result in the loss of future access to the PFV program. 

Acceptable Behaviour
Prisoners and visitors are expected to behave appropriately during a PFV. Visitors must adhere to the guidelines for dress and general conduct as set out in the Visits Policy.

Parents and carers, including prisoners, are responsible for the care and behaviour of children participating in a PFV.

In addition, prisoners and adult visitors are responsible for returning the PFV facilities to good order at the completion of their visit in readiness for the next PFV session, including cleaning. In the case of conjugal visits, this includes changing linen.

Prisoners and adult visitors are expected to adhere to the individual conditions of their visit. Where conditions of the visit are breached, eligibility for future visits may be compromised.

Offensive, aggressive, and inappropriate behaviour will result in the termination of a PFV. 

Duration and Frequency
The PFV program will operate within the standard visits schedule. 

PFVs will be available to eligible prisoners on a bi-monthly basis, operational factors notwithstanding.

Supervision
While PFVs provide prisoners and their families with an opportunity to spend extended private time together in a domestic setting, some supervision of the visit may still be necessary. In order to support the intention of the PFV program while meeting the AMC’s obligation to provide a duty of care, PFV rooms are fitted with intercom units.

Subject to the Superintendent’s direction, corrections officers may provide differing levels of supervision, particularly where children are involved. The level of supervision required will be determined by the Superintendent and will be explained to the prisoner and their visitor/s before the visit commences.

Emergencies
Either party can terminate a PFV at any time. Where visitors or prisoners require the early termination of PFVs they may use the intercom.

Searching
Family members (including children) participating in the PFV program will undergo standard visits searching procedures, as set out in both the Searching Policy and Procedure and the Visits Policy.

Permitted Articles
Family visitors must comply with the directions of the Visits Policy in relation to the carriage of permitted articles while participating in a PFV.

Children – Duty of Care
While ACTCS acknowledges a general duty of care in relation to the welfare of all persons participating in the PFV program, parents and/or carers have the primary responsibility for the care and wellbeing of their children during PFVs.

Any participation of children in the PFV program may be subject to advice received from OCYFS. At all times, the best interests of the child or children will be given the highest consideration.

Withdrawal
A prisoner’s ability to apply for a PFV may be withdrawn if:
•	the prisoner is found guilty of any disciplinary breach; 
•	the prisoner has breached the conditions of a previous PFV;
•	the prisoner is found guilty of committing an offence involving a family member during a PFV; or
•	a visitor is found to have acted inappropriately while at the AMC.

A re-assessment of a prisoner’s eligibility for the PFV program may be conducted at the request of a prisoner after three (3) months from their initial withdrawal.
All decisions relating to the withdrawal of PFVs will be provided to the prisoner in writing within 14 days.

Forms/Templates
Private Family Visits Application – see appendix A

Related Policies and Procedures
Searching Policy 
Searching Procedure
Visits Policy 

Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC)

Private Family Visits Form

APPLICATION & AUTHORISATION	

Prisoner NAME	Date of Birth	
		
Date of Application	Date of Requested Visit 
(Note: applications may take up to 14 days)	

This form should be used in conjunction with the Private Family Visits Policy and Procedure.

FORM DETAILS	
Page No	Details	Responsibility for Completion	
1	•	Prisoner Name/DOB
•	Date of application & requested visit	•	Prisoner (Case Officer)	
2	•	Personal Details
•	Requested Visitor Details
•	Additional Information	•	Prisoner (Case Officer)
•	Prisoner – Superintendent sign-off
•	Probation and Parole Officer	
3	•	Prisoner Request	•	Prisoner (Case Officer)	
4	•	Case Officer Supporting Statement & Referral Action	•	Case Officer	
5	•	Family Screening Interview	•	Probation and Parole Officer	
6	•	Family Member Screening Interview Summary	•	Probation and Parole Officer	
7	•	Probation and Parole Officer Supporting Statement
•	Probation and Parole Officer Date Tracking and Sign Off	•	Probation and Parole Officer	
8	•	PFV Panel Assessment
•	Time/Date/Location of PFV Panel Meeting
•	Panel Members
•	Panel Recommendations	•	Probation and Parole Officer (on behalf of Panel)	
9	•	Approval Summary
•	Approval/Sign-off & Conditions	•	Probation and Parole Officer
•	Superintendent	
10	•	Post PFV Family Interview	•	Probation and Parole Officer	
11	•	Post PFV Prisoner Interview	•	Probation and Parole Officer	

PERSONAL DETAILS	
Prisoner Name		
Date of Birth		
Location 		
Sentence 		
Classification		
Marital Status		
No. of Dependents		
Court Orders		

REQUESTED VISITOR DETAILS	Superintendent to Complete	
Visitor Name	DOB	Sex	Relationship to Prisoner	Approved?	
				YES / NO	
				YES / NO	
				YES / NO	
				YES / NO	
				YES / NO	

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION	
Are there court orders relating to the contact of the prisoner with the proposed visitors, including dependent children’s care orders?  If yes, attach details.	YES / NO	
Have Private Family Visits been included in the prisoner’s Rehabilitation Plan?  If yes, please attach.
	YES / NO	
Has the prisoner had any previous PFVs? 
If yes, attach details. (Include previous visit ‘post PFV interview’ summaries)	YES / NO	
Is there any additional information that should be considered by the Panel and Superintendent?  If yes, attach details.
	YES / NO	

PRISONER REQUEST	

A short statement (to be completed by the prisoner) regarding their application for a Private Family Visit.  Please include a request for conditions to be considered (e.g. conjugal visit).

CASE OFFICER SUPPORTING STATEMENT & REFERRAL ACTION	

To be completed by Case Officer prior to referral to Probation and Parole Officer.

Do you support the proposed PFV?  Please outline your reasons for/against support below.	YES / NO	

Case Officer: NAME		
SIGNATURE of Case Officer		
Date		

DETAILS OF REFERRAL TO PROBATION AND PAROLE OFFICER	
Date of Referral to Probation and Parole Officer	Name of Probation and Parole Officer	

FAMILY SCREENING INTERVIEW	
Date of Interview		

Prior to approval of a PFV application, a screening interview must be conducted with family members to ensure their willingness to participate in the program.
At this interview, Probation and Parole Officers will provide an overview of the PFV Program for family members, referring to the PFV Policy and Procedure.

The following questions are designed to establish family members’ readiness to participate in PFVs, and to address any issues they may raise.

Which family members will be participating in the visit?	

What is your expectation of the visit? (e.g. visit length, family dynamics, issues around the offence)	

Are there any issues that you would like clarified, or that give you concern?	

Are you happy to participate in the PFV?  Do you have any reservations?	

FAMILY MEMBER SCREENING INTERVIEW SUMMARY	
Issues raised? If yes, please summarise below.	YES / NO	

Are any children involved in the proposed PFV clients of the ACT Care & Protection Unit?	YES / NO	
If yes, has the Office for Children, Youth & Family Services (OCYFS) been contacted?	YES / NO	
Please outline any issues raised or recommendations from the OCYFS below:	

PROBATION AND PAROLE OFFICER SUPPORTING STATEMENT	

To be completed after the Family Screening Interview has taken place.

Do you support the proposed PFV?	YES / NO	
Please outline reasons for/against support below. (Include any recommendations regarding visiting conditions)	

PROBATION AND PAROLE OFFICER DATE TRACKING 
& SIGN OFF	

APPLICATION DATE TRACKING	
Date of application receipt by Probation and Parole Officer		
Date of Family Screening Interview		
Date of referral to PFV Panel		
Date of referral to Superintendent		
Date Prisoner is notified of decision outcome		

PROBATION AND PAROLE OFFICER SIGN OFF	
Probation and Parole Officer: NAME		
Signature of Probation and Parole Officer		
Date:		

PRIVATE FAMILY VISIT PANEL ASSESSMENT	
Details of PFV Panel Meeting	
Date	Time	Venue	

PANEL MEMBERS	
Deputy Superintendent	Present / Not Present	
Probation and Parole Officer	Present / Not Present	
Offender Services Manager	Present / Not Present	
Indigenous Liaison Officer	Required & Present / Not Required	
Other? (specify)		
Does the Panel support the proposed PFV?	YES / NO	
Please outline reasons for/against support below. (Include any recommendations regarding visiting conditions)	

POST PFV FAMILY INTERVIEW	
After the initial PFV, an interview should be conducted with family members to ensure there are no issues arising from the visit and to assess their willingness to participate in future visits.

How did the visit go?  Were your expectations met?	

Do you have any concerns about the visit?	

Are you happy to participate in another PFV?	

Probation and Parole Officer Comments 	

POST PFV PRISONER INTERVIEW	
After the initial PFV, an interview should be conducted with the prisoner to ensure there are no issues arising from the visit and to assess their willingness to participate in future visits.

How did the visit go?  Were your expectations met?	

Do you have any concerns about the visit?	

Are you happy to participate in another PFV?	

Probation and Parole Officer Comments 	

APPROVAL SUMMARY (Probation and Parole Officer to Complete)	
Panel Assessment	SUPPORTED / NOT SUPPORTED	
Probation and Parole Officer Support	SUPPORTED / NOT SUPPORTED	
Case Officer Support	SUPPORTED / NOT SUPPORTED	

APPROVAL/ SIGN OFF (Superintendent to Complete)	
PFV Approved by Superintendent?	APPROVED / NOT APPROVED	
Signature of Superintendent		
Date of Approval		
Date of Approved PFV		
Conditions of PFV: