Visitor Information Booklet
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Visitor Information Booklet Metropolitan Remand Centre Updated: April 2021 Version: #7 1 2 Foreword Prison can be a difficult place to be for most individuals. Prisoners need to be assisted to make the transition from community to custody in order to reduce the impacts of anxiety and isolation often associated with imprisonment. Visitors often need help to understand their rights and responsibilities when visiting family or friends and what assistance may be available at the prison to assist in maintaining family ties. This booklet has been developed to provide visitors with useful information about what a prisoner can expect at the MRC and what a visitor needs to know when coming into the prison for a personal visit. A principle at the MRC that recognises the well-established notion around the presumption of innocence is that unconvicted prisoners will be managed under the least restrictive conditions possible, other than those necessary to maintain the good order, security and management of the prison and the safety of prisoners, staff and visitors. To achieve this, the MRC has developed a security model that maximises the freedom of movement for prisoners within a secure perimeter, while maintaining a level of supervision and control appropriate to the maximum security environment. The MRC has the ability to meet United Nations standards for the treatment of unsentenced prisoners and to this end the following are features of the MRC: ▪ Sentenced and unsentenced prisoners will be kept separate as far as practicable. ▪ Provision of appropriate resources and facilities to enable remanded prisoners to prepare for court. ▪ Policies and procedures that promote positive interaction between staff and prisoners where each is expected to be treated with respect by the other. ▪ An emphasis on helping prisoners maintains legal, family and community ties. ▪ A range of daily activity options that provide prisoners with the opportunity for constructive engagement during out of cell hours. Providing an environment where the above features are available, within an operating philosophy consistent with the ‘Healthy Prisons’ principles, creates a living and working environment conducive to the needs of all those who live and work here. I trust you will find this booklet helpful. John Nesci Acting General Manager Metropolitan Remand Centre Our Mission Together, provide a safe, modern and humane Remand facility that meets the specific needs of unconvicted prisoners 3 Metropolitan Remand Centre Location: Middle Road (Off Robinsons Road), Ravenhall Vic. 3023 (30kms North West of Melbourne City Centre, Melways Reference 360 H2) Postal address: P O Box 500, St Albans Vic. 3021 Phone: (03) 9217 7777 Fax: (03) 9217 7778 • Dame Phyllis Frost Centre ▪Ravenhall Correctional Centre • Metropolitan Remand Centre • Port Phillip • Melbourne Assessment Prison Prison • Barwon Prison • Margoneet Correctional Centre ▪Kareenga NSW MELBOURNE METROPLITIAN - ENLARGMENT • Beechworth Correctional Centre • Wangaratta • Shepparton • Dhurringile Prison • Bendigo • Tarrengower Prison VICTORIA • Ararat • Hopkins Correctional • Castlemaine Centre • Loddon Prison • Langi Kal Kal Prison • Ballarat MELBOURNE • Sale • Fulham Correctional Centre 4 Contents FOREWORD .......................................................................................................................................................... 1 CONTENTS .............................................................................................................................................................. 4 PRISON SYSTEM OVERVIEW ................................................................................................................................ 7 INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................................................................... 8 BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE ............................................................................................................................. 8 PRISONER ACCOMMODATION ............................................................................................................................. 8 RECEPTION: THE FIRST 24 HOURS ...................................................................................................................... 8 ORIENTATION ....................................................................................................................................................... 9 NORMAL PRISON ROUTINE .................................................................................................................................. 9 PRISONER’S RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES ..................................................................................................... 9 DRUGS IN PRISONS ............................................................................................................................................ 10 PROHIBITED AND RESTRICTED ITEMS .............................................................................................................. 11 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY ................................................................................................................... 11 ANTI-BULLYING POLICY ...................................................................................................................................... 11 VISITS.................................................................................................................................................................. 12 ‘RESTRICTED ACCESS’ PRISONERS AND VISITS ............................................................................................... 15 LEAVING PROPERTY FOR PRISONERS .............................................................................................................. 15 PRIVATE MONEY ................................................................................................................................................. 16 PRISON ISSUED PROPERTY ............................................................................................................................... 16 FOOD .................................................................................................................................................................. 16 CANTEEN TIMES ................................................................................................................................................. 17 PRISONER MAIL .................................................................................................................................................. 17 TELEPHONE CALLS ............................................................................................................................................ 18 MEDIA.................................................................................................................................................................. 18 CULTURAL & LINGUISTICALLY DIVERSE PRISONERS ....................................................................................... 18 PROGRAMS AND SERVICES ............................................................................................................................... 19 CHAPLAINCY ....................................................................................................................................................... 19 VOTING ............................................................................................................................................................... 19 CENTRELINK ....................................................................................................................................................... 19 UNITE – BUILDING FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS ............................................... 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HEALTH SERVICES ............................................................................................................................................. 20 SMOKING ............................................................................................................................................................ 20 CONCERNS ......................................................................................................................................................... 20 EDUCATION ........................................................................................................................................................ 20 5 WORK OPPORTUNITIES ...................................................................................................................................... 20 PRISONER REPRESENTATIVE COMMITTEE ....................................................................................................... 21 TRANSPORT – VISITORS AND DISCHARGE ........................................................................................................ 21 INDEPENDENT PRISON VISITORS ...................................................................................................................... 21 VICTORIAN PRISONS – PROFILE INFORMATION ................................................................................................ 22 HOPKINS CORRECTIONAL CENTRE ................................................................................................................... 22 DAME PHYLLIS FROST CENTRE ........................................................................................................................