Australian Capital Territory
Corrections Management (Official Visitor) Policy 2011
Notifiable instrument NI2011-137
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 (Official Visitor) Policy 2011.
2	Commencement
This instrument commences on the day after it is notified.
3	Policy
I make the

Official visitor policy

attached to this instrument, to facilitate the effective and efficient management of correctional services.
4	Revocation
This instrument revokes notifiable instrument NI2009-139.

Barry Folpp
A/g Executive Director 
ACT Corrective Services
21 February 2011

ACT Corrective Services
All Facilities

Official Visitor Policy

Purpose
Authority
Policy
Principles
Functions of an Official Visitor
Indigenous Official Visitor
Prisoner access to an Official Visitor
Forms and templates
Related Policies/Procedures

Purpose
To outline the role of the Official Visitor at the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC). 

Authority
Legislation
Corrections Management Act 2007, section 14 and 57-61.

Policy
Principles
The role of an Official Visitor is to investigate prisoner complaints and grievances. 

Functions of an Official Visitor
The role of an Official Visitor is to:
•	Inspect correctional centres and places outside correctional centres where prisoners are, or have been, directed to work or participate in an activity;
•	Receive complaints from prisoners;
•	Investigate prisoner complaints unless the Official Visitor believes, on reasonable grounds, that the complaints are frivolous or vexatious; 
•	Provide the JACS CEO, ACTCS Executive Director, Superintendent and/or the Minister with a report about any complaint or investigation;
•	Provide the Minister with a written report as soon as practical at the end of each quarter, summarising the following:
•	The number and kind of complaints received;
•	The number and kind of complaints investigated;
•	The outcomes of investigations of complaints; and
•	Report to the Minister in writing if they believe, on reasonable grounds, that the detention of a prisoner is not in accordance with the Corrections Management Act 2007.

Indigenous Official Visitor
A person appointed as an Indigenous Official Visitor will perform the functions of an Official Visitor in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners. 

Prisoner access to an Official Visitor
Any request from a prisoner to see an Official Visitor will be passed on to the Official Visitor as soon as practicable. The prisoner is not required to explain to corrections officers why the prisoner has requested to see the Official Visitor.

Assistance
Corrections officers are to facilitate the visits made by an Official Visitor by ensuring that he/she has access to prisoners.

Forms and templates 
Prisoner Request Form

Related Policies/Procedures
Prisoner Complaints and Grievances Policy
Prisoner Complaints and Grievances Procedure