New Process for Domestic Visit Bookings

The Department for Correctional Services has implemented a new model that makes prisoners responsible for their own face-to-face and video domestic visit bookings.

Which prisons are involved?

All sites except for Port Augusta Prison and Adelaide Women’s Prison use the new visit booking model. The remaining sites will implement the new visit booking model from:

• Port Augusta Prison – 27 April 2024.
• Adelaide Women’s Prison – 08 May 2024.

How does the new booking process work?

Prisoners will now be responsible for communicating with their visitor and arranging an agreed date and time for the visit.
The prisoner will then use an available prison kiosk to book the visit into the system.

How will a visitor know if a visit has been booked?

Visitors will either get an email / SMS from the booking system with the visit details, or the prisoner may say this information via telephone.

What if a visitor can’t attend the visit?

Visitors will be able to cancel a visit by:

• Completing the cancellation form located on our website.
• Clicking a link in the email sent by the booking system. This link will take the visitor to the cancellation form on our website.
• Phoning the prison and requesting the visit be cancelled.

What are the benefits?

The aim of the new model is to make the visit process easier whilst keeping families and friends connected with prisoners.

Currently, visitors are required to phone a prison to make a Domestic Visit booking. They are restricted to set times as to when they can phone to make an appointment. When several people are trying to do this at the same time, it can lead to long waiting times ‘on hold’ and difficulties in getting through.

This new model also enables prisoners to be in control of their own affairs, by working out who visits them and when this happens.

Prisoners are empowered to be self-sufficient, which contributes to their rehabilitation.

Where do I direct questions and feedback?

Feedback is welcomed. Please send your comments to DCSBusinessImprovementInitiatives@sa.gov.au.