Prison visitor

Verified 02 July 2020 - Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister), Ministry of Justice

A prison visitor contributes to the welfare of prisoners on a voluntary basis. He prepares them for their reintegration into the business. It can take part in collective activities. Anyone who has reached the age of majority and a clean criminal record can become a prison visitor.

A prison visitor is a volunteer who visits inmates with whom he or she has no family or friendly ties. His aim is to provide them with moral support to help them live better in lockdown.

FYI  

the interregional director of prison services may issue visiting authorizations to persons who are not prison visitors, enabling them to communicate with prisoners of their choice.

The prison visitor undertakes to respect the secrecy of the judicial inquiry and not to disclose the information of which he is aware.

Rules and regulations He must also respect the institution's rules, especially those relating to discipline and safety.

FYI  

when a visitor is suspected of having committed offenses near the prison that could compromise the security of the institution, specially authorized officers can check his identity. These officers may also conduct a pat-down and, if the person agrees, a search of the person. In case of opposition to identity checks, officers may use force to detain the person pending the arrival of law enforcement.

A prison visitor works in collaboration with the Penitentiary Service for Integration and Probation (Spip), a service which deals with the rehabilitation of inmates.

He has access to a room inside the prison to receive the detainees he cares for.

He may bring an action against all prisoners detained in the establishment for which he is authorized. This allows him to work with convicted persons or persons in pretrial detention.

His interviews with detainees take place without the presence of a guard.

Visits shall take place on days and at times fixed by the prison director in agreement with the prison visitor.

A prison visitor may also communicate in writing with the detainees under his care, under cover and without prior authorization. However, mail may be checked and retained by the prison administration if it considers that the correspondence endangers the inmate's rehabilitation or the good order and security of the prison.

Warning  

some pre-trial detainees may be subject to a communication ban. So they can't get in touch with a prison visitor.

To be a prison visitor, you must meet the following 2 conditions:

You don't have to be a member of an association or have any particular training.

To become a prison visitor, you must be licensed by the prison services.

Filing of the application

A request must be made to the Director of the DPIS of the department in which the penitentiary institution or institutions in which the applicant wishes to work, indicating the following information:

  • Surname, first name, date and place of birth
  • Nationality
  • Family status
  • Occupation
  • Personal Address
  • Prison in which one wishes to intervene (one or more)

The applicant must attach the following documents:

  • Photo ID
  • Photocopy of vital card
Who shall I contact

Case Processing

The examination of the application shall include an interview with Spip.

This interview allows the candidate to understand the role of prison visitors, and the Spip to appreciate the candidate's ability to perform the role of prison visitor.

The interview is used to assess human relationships, psychological balance, and the candidate's availability.

The director of Spip writes a report and also seeks the opinion of the prefect of the candidate's home department.

The file is then forwarded to the Interregional Director of Prison Services (the superior of the Director of Spip), who takes the final decision.

The prison visitor is approved for a period of 2 years, renewable 1 time.

As soon as he is approved, he may meet the prisoners entrusted to him by Spip, only in the prison for which he has been approved.

An applicant whose application is rejected may appeal to the administrative tribunal.

Approval may be withdrawn by the Interregional Director of Prison Services:

  • ex officio, for example, if the visitor harms the security conditions in prison,
  • or at the request of the sentencing judge or the public prosecutor (for example, if the visitor undermines the confidentiality of the investigation).

In urgent cases and for serious reasons, approval may be suspended by the head of establishment, who shall notify the interregional director without delay.

The decision may be the subject of an amicable appeal to the interregional director or to a litigation before the Administrative Court.

FAQ