Australian Prison Communication Guide: Phone Calls, Email and Visits by State
A complete guide for families trying to contact someone in an Australian prison. Covers phone calls, email, video visits, sending money, and finding a prisoner in NSW, Victoria, Queensland, and other Australian states.
Introduction
Australia's prison system is managed separately by each state and territory. New South Wales (NSW), Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory, and the Northern Territory each operate their own correctional systems with different rules, phone systems, and communication options. There is no single national prison communication platform in Australia.
Australian prisons do not use JPay, CorrLinks, or US-style communication providers. Each state has its own phone system for outgoing inmate calls. Inmates cannot receive incoming calls. Email options vary significantly by state, with some states offering digital messaging while others rely on physical mail only.
This guide covers the key steps for contacting someone in an Australian state prison, with specific information for NSW and Victoria, which together hold the largest prison populations.
Guide Content
Phone Calls: How Australian Prison Phones Work
Australian prisoners can make outgoing calls but cannot receive incoming calls. Inmates must have their numbers approved on their Personal Allowed Numbers (PAN) list before calling. All non-legal calls are recorded and monitored. Call duration is typically limited to 10 minutes to ensure fair access across all inmates.
Phone calls from Australian prisons are paid from the inmate's prison account. Prisoners can transfer money from their general prison account to their telephone account. Some states allow families to top up the inmate's phone account directly through the prison's approved payment system.
NSW Prison Phone Calls
In New South Wales, the Offenders Telephone System (OTS) regulates all prison phone calls. Regulations introduced in June 2023 require that phone numbers on the approved list be fixed local numbers with a single answering location, no VoIP, and no call diversion. This means most cell phones cannot be directly added to NSW prison approved lists under the current OTS rules.
NSW Prison Calling at nswprisoncalling.com.au is a service built specifically for OTS compliance. It provides a compliant fixed local number for $39 per month with unlimited calling. The inmate pays the standard $0.40 local call rate. Your loved one adds the NSW Prison Calling number to their approved list at the prison.
Victoria Prison Phone Calls and Video Visits
Victoria's correctional facilities offer phone calls and video visits. Video visits are available at Victorian prisons and can be scheduled through the prison's approved system. Families can send emails to prisoners in Victoria through the approved email program at corrections.vic.gov.au.
Contact the specific Victorian prison to confirm current phone account setup procedures, video visit scheduling, and email registration requirements. Rules and availability vary by facility.
South Australia Prison Phone Calls
South Australia's Department for Correctional Services allows inmates to make calls to numbers on their approved list of up to 10 authorized numbers. Legal numbers and support group contacts are included in the 10 allowed numbers. After completing a phone access form, numbers are approved within 24 hours.
A credit of $1 is given to each inmate's account when first admitted. Inmates can transfer money from their prison account to their telephone account on a weekly or monthly basis. Calls are limited to 10 minutes for fair access. All calls except to approved legal numbers are recorded.
Sending Email in Australia
Email availability varies significantly by state and facility. Victoria offers an email program for some facilities. South Australia and other states may have limited or no email programs. Contact the specific prison directly to find out whether email is available and how to register.
Where email is not available, physical mail is accepted at all Australian state prisons. Letters must include the prisoner's full name and prisoner number on the envelope. Mail is inspected before delivery. Legal mail from lawyers is treated as privileged and is not read by staff.
Finding a Prisoner in Australia
There is no single national prisoner locator in Australia. Each state manages its own records. Contact the state corrections department directly or call the specific prison to confirm a prisoner's location. For NSW, contact Corrective Services NSW at correctiveservices.dcj.nsw.gov.au. For Victoria, contact Corrections Victoria at corrections.vic.gov.au.
Ask your loved one to provide their prisoner number (sometimes called a CSID or ID number) as soon as possible. This number is required for all communication account setup, mail, and sending money.
Sending Money to Australian Prisoners
Money transfer procedures vary by state. In South Australia, families can top up a prisoner's telephone account directly. In NSW, deposits are made through the prison's approved payment system. Contact the specific prison to confirm the current accepted payment methods before sending money.
Key Takeaways
The most important things to remember from this guide.
- Australia has no national prison system. Each state and territory (NSW, Victoria, Queensland, WA, SA, Tasmania, ACT, NT) runs its own correctional system with different rules.
- Australian prisons do not use JPay or CorrLinks. Inmates can only make outgoing calls and must have your number approved on their Personal Allowed Numbers (PAN) list first.
- NSW's Offenders Telephone System (OTS), updated in June 2023, requires fixed local numbers with no VoIP or call diversion, which blocks most direct cell phone additions. NSW Prison Calling offers a compliant local number for $39 per month.
- Email availability varies by state. Victoria offers an email program at some facilities; other states rely mainly on physical mail.
- There is no national prisoner locator. Contact the specific state corrections department, such as Corrective Services NSW or Corrections Victoria, or the facility directly.
- Money transfer methods vary by state. Confirm the accepted payment method with the specific prison before sending funds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Australian Prison Communication Guide: Phone Calls, Email and Visits by State, answered in plain language.
Do Australian prisons use JPay or CorrLinks?
Can I add my cell phone number to an Australian prison approved list?
How do I find someone in an Australian prison?
How long are prison phone calls in Australia?
Is email available at Australian prisons?
Are Australian prison phone calls free?
What is NSW Prison Calling?
How do I send money to someone in an Australian prison?
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