What you will need

The first time you visit an inmate, you must provide your ID as part of the process of obtaining a VIN. For following visits you must carry ID and produce it when requested.

Adult visitors must provide either:

• 1 proof of identity document from List 1; or
• 3 documents from List 2.

One document must show your current residential address. Documents with a residential address must correspond with the name and address details given when you make a booking.

Children under 18 do not need ID when accompanied by an adult.  

List 1

One of the following primary forms of ID:

• current driver licence
• proof of age card issued by Service NSW (or equivalent from interstate)
• current passport or one that has expired within the last 2 years
• any current photo ID issued by an Australian government department, agency or authority.

List 2

Any three of the following secondary forms of ID:

• birth certificate
• evidence of enrolment from the Australian Electoral Commission
• public utility account, e.g. water, gas, electricity and/or telephone issued within 6 months of the date of your intended visit
• current registration papers (motor vehicle or boat)
• marriage certificate
• Australian citizenship or entitlement card issued by a government department, agency or authority, e.g. a pension card
• Department of Home Affairs papers
• signed credit or debit card.

Each time you visit a correctional centre, you must record your relevant personal information on a Visitor Information form. This information will be recorded and retrieved for future visits in our Offender Integrated Management System. Information relating to a child visitor including the relationship to the inmate is also recorded on a Visitor Information form.

We are now accepting the NSW Digital Driver Licence as a valid form of identification for visits at all correctional centres except:

• Goulburn
• Kirkconnell
• Lithgow

If you visit a correctional centres that accepts digital driver licences, you are still encouraged to bring your physical driver licence in case we have difficulty downloading the digital driver licence.

Biometric Identification System

Biometric identification systems are currently installed at 21 correctional centres.

Updated biometrics technology has been implemented in all centres.

These new contactless biometric devices capture the face and irises of visitors.

Everyone entering these centres will need to enrol in the new biometrics system. Once you have enrolled in one centre, your information will be available to match and verify across other centres that are using the new biometrics solution. This means visitors only need to enrol once.

The captured information is securely retained on the system. The system creates biometric templates (maps) that are encrypted data points which means there is no way anyone can recreate or identify an individual outside of the system.

Visitors must always carry identification when visiting an inmate in case the biometric identification system is not working.

At centres where there is no biometric identification system, visitors will be required to produce the forms of ID as outlined above (even if they have been issued with a VIN).

For further information on what to expect when entering a centre using Biometrics refer to our Frequently Asked Questions.