Visiting my Mum or Dad in Prison

 What happens from the moment he is taken into custody?

When he is taken into custody he will leave the courtroom and go to the holding cells downstairs. He will wait here while the paperwork is being dealt with. He may be in the holding cell for some hours before he is taken to the prison. Food will be given to him if he still there during meal times.

What happens when he arrives in the prison?

When he arrives in prison, he will be taken directly to the Reception area. His personal details will be taken and he will be photographed and fingerprinted. He will take a shower and be given prison clothes. He can wear his own clothes as soon as he gets the Governor’s permission and his Class Officer will explain the rules about the wearing of prisoner’s own clothes. (The Class Officer is the officer in charge of each prison landing.)

His personal belongings are recorded and taken for safe keeping until his release. His personal details are taken such as height, weight etc and details of his Next of Kin. He will be given a pillowcase, sheets and a duvet cover, toothpaste, soap, a comb, stockings and underwear and any other necessary items. He will also be given a copy of the Prison Rules Booklet. Then he will be taken to the Medical area, where a Nurse or Medical Orderly will see him.  Here he can be asked about any medical or psychological problems and if necessary, his own doctor can be contacted if there are any queries about prescribed medication. After this he will be taken to his cell.

What happens on the first full day?

In the morning, the prisoner will meet the Prison Governor or Deputy/Assistant Governor. The Governor will make sure he is aware of his entitlements, obligations and privileges under the Prison Rules. He can discuss any problems or concerns with the Governor, who will do his best to facilitate him. On the first day they will see the Prison Doctor if he/she is on duty.

On the first morning also, he will be seen by the Industrial Manager, and asked if he would like to work in any of the workshops, the kitchen, on the landings, or attend school. He will be informed of what support services are available – psychology service, counselling service, addiction and substance abuse treatment services etc. (The AA visits the prison for meetings twice weekly and the NA comes in regularly. These meetings are held in the Education Unit)

What is the prison like?

What does the Class Officer do ?

The Class Officer will make sure the prisoner is settled into the landing and inform him of the routine. If the prisoner has a question or problem he can approach his Class Officer. If he wishes to see the doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist, probation services etc, he can do this through his Class Officer.

What does the Chaplain do ?

What is the prison routine?

What services or activities are available in prison ?

Healthcare (Doctor, Dentist, Optician, Psychologist, Psychiatrist)

Probation Service – Drug and Alcohol Counselling (including AA and NA meetings)

Chaplain – Education Programme (5 days per week and 4 evenings)

Vocational Training – Samaritans –St Vincent de Paul visitation

Library

Recreation/Fitness

 

How can phone calls be arranged ?

 When a prisoner is first brought to the prison, he will be asked to nominate four telephone numbers that he may wish to call on a regular basis from prison. One of these numbers will be his Solicitor’s. He can have three personal numbers on his list. Once the paperwork is arranged for this, the prisoner will be issued with a special phone card, which can be used on prison phones. He is entitled to one phone call per day for six minutes per call. Prison phones are located in the main cell block, the workshops and the education area, so they are accessible at all times.

 

What about letters ?

A prisoner can send out and receive several letters a week. Writing paper and envelopes can be got from the Class Officer.

Each landing has a post box for letter collection. All letters, except legal ones, are censored before they are sent or received.

 

What do I tell the children?

If you have children, you will have to decide what you should tell your children. It is probably best to make this decision with your partner who is in prison. Some people decide to tell their children and some decide not to. It depends on many things, such as the age of the children, the length of the sentence the prisoner is serving, the particular personality of the children.. If you decide that you don’t want your children going to the prison, they can still speak with their father on the telephone. They can also keep in touch through letters. It is important for the child to keep in contact in some way, to avoid any feelings of abandonment or loss.

 

If you feel confused about this, you should seek advice. A useful website where this issue is discussed is http://www.prisonersfamilieshelpline.org.uk They have a leaflet called “My Mum’s in Prison/My Dad’s in Prison” which you can get at the above internet address. They also have other very useful publications.

 

What about visits to prison?

Each sentenced prisoner is entitled to one visit per week, for thirty minutes. The prisoner may request a second visit from the Governor. If he is on remand in the prison he can have three visits per week.

 

Visiting Times: Saturday morning is the only morning for visits  10 am – 12 noon. 

No visits on Thursday.

Otherwise visits are 2 – 4 pm and 5.30 pm.

 

There are no visits on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Because times are liable to change it is advisable to check with the Prison when arranging a visit.

 

How is a visit arranged?

To arrange for visits with family and friends the prisoner must fill out a form listing the names of what visitors he wants. He is entitled to name six people on the form.  

 

Usually a total of three adult visitors are allowed to come at the same time to visit the prisoner.

 

You can phone the prison Visiting Waiting Room (021 4518889) and request a visit. You will be given a date and time when the visit can take place.

 

What can I bring to the prison?

You cannot bring cigarettes or food items to the prisoner. These can be bought by the prisoner at the tuck shop.

Regarding clothes and money, you need to check with the prison as the system can change.

 

What can I expect when visiting the prison?

When you arrive at the prison you will see a single story building (Visitors Waiting Room) by the front gate where you can tell the officer who you have come for a visit.

 

All visitors must bring a photographic ID to the prison to gain access. You will be given a locker to put your personal belongings and mobile phone in. You can keep the key to this locker until after your visit. You will wait here until you are called for the visit. You will cross the short distance to an electronic door, inside which there is a revolving door. Inside this area you will  have to pass through the Prison Security system. This is similar to an airport type security system, where belongings may be scanned.

 

You will be required to remove your belt and any other objects such as loose change  or watches. These items can be put into a tray and put through the scanner. If the scanner beeps,  sometimes a hand scanner will be used. Many types of shoes set off the scanner as they contain metal in them. Once you are through the scanning device, you will be asked to stand in position while a dog handler with his dog will approach you. If the dog indicates that you have been in contact with or may be carrying any illegal substance, you will be asked to leave the prison without having your visit. If the dog indicates that you cannot be allowed in, this can be an upsetting experience, especially for people who are visiting prison for the first time, and particularly if you have children with you. Unfortunately, you will have to leave and come back another time. It might be a good idea to explain the search procedures to your children in advance and let them know that a dog will be in the security area.

 

What happens during the visit ?

When you get through the security area you will go to the visiting room. This room consists of a long, high counter, with a Perspex divider approximately a foot high in the middle of the long table.

 

In Cork Prison, during the visit you or your children are not allowed to touch the person you are visiting. And you are not allowed to give them anything during the visit. (Anything you wish to hand into the prisoner has to be given to the Officers in the Security Area).

 

There will be a Prison Officer on duty in the visiting room and CCTV cameras will be in operation. You will be sharing the visiting room with other prisoners and their visitors and it can get quite busy and noisy there.

 

Where is Cork Prison and How do I get there?

 Cork Prison is located on the North side of the City. The address is Rathmore Road. The prison is beside Collins Barracks, where the army are based. The phone number for Cork Prison is: 021 4518800. 

 

Taxi – Most taxi drivers know where the prison is so just ask for Cork Prison, Rathmore Road. 

Bus – The number 208 and number 2077 bus from the city centre stop near the prison. Ask the driver to let you off near to Dillon’s Cross. 

Train – Trains arrive in Kent Station in Cork and it would be best to get a taxi from there. 

Car – If you are driving you can consult the map here. There is a visitors car park which is open during visiting hours and is free of charge.