How and When Can you Visit Someone in Prison?

Visiting hours for family, friends and Lawyers

Being incarcerated in Ontario comes with many challenges for both the inmate and the family. There are many privileges that we take for granted in our day-to-day life that are either forbidden or strictly controlled and enforced while in prison. One of these privileges is the freedom to see your family and friends whenever you choose. Whether you’re awaiting trial or have already been sentenced, visiting hours are considered one of the most valuable privileges among inmates.

When can your family, friends and Lawyers visit?

Prisons in Ontario have very similar guidelines for visitation, however they do differ slightly. If you are going to visit an inmate you must present two (2) pieces of identification, one of which must be a government issued photo ID. The amount of people wishing to visit is restricted to two (2) people at a time per visit. Listed below are a few examples of visitation guidelines for prisons in Ontario.

Metro west Detention Centre

• Visiting hours for friends and family:

- 9am-10:30am & 1pm - 3:30pm (seven days a week)

- 2 visits per week, 20 minutes in length - each

• Lawyers – visitation hours:

- 6pm - 8:30 pm |(seven days a week as many visits as required)

 

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Metro East Detention Centre 

• Visiting hours for friends and family:

- 1:30 pm – 3pm and 5:30pm – 7 pm (seven days a week)

- Length of visit depends on which unit inmates are placed

-  Inmates that have been sentenced are permitted 2 x 40 minute visits

- Inmates awaiting trial are permitted 2 x 20 minute visits per week

• Lawyers- visitation is unlimited during the following hours:                                                                                                                                                                                                       à 9:00 am -11:00 am , 1:30 pm – 3:15pm and 5:30 pm – 7:15 pm

 

Maplehurst Detention Centre

• Visiting hours for friends and family:

- 1:30 pm – 3pm and 5:30pm – 7pm (seven days a week)

- Length of visit depends on which unit inmates are placed

- Inmates that have been sentenced are permitted 2 x 40 min visits (behind glass)

- Inmates awaiting trial are permitted 2 x 20 minute visits per week

• Lawyers- visitation is unlimited during the following hours:

- 9:00am -11:00am, 1:30pm – 3:15pm and 5:30pm – 7:15pm

 

Central North

• Visiting hours for friends and family

- 3:00pm – 5:00pm (weekdays only)

- Inmates that have been sentenced are permitted 2 x 40 min visits

- Inmates awaiting trial are permitted 2 x 20 min visit per week

• Lawyers are permitted as many visits as needed during regular business hours

 

Hamilton Detention Centre

• Visiting hours for friends and family

- They have over 500 inmates so they are divided into groups

- Depending on which group inmate is in for days and times of visit

- Length of visit depends on which unit inmates are placed

- Inmates that have been sentenced are permitted 2 x 40 min visits

- Inmates awaiting trial are permitted 2 x 20 min visit per week

• Lawyers- visitation is unlimited during the following hours:

- 9:00am, 1:00pm & 6:00pm

 

Vanier Centre for Women

• Visiting hours for friends and family

- 2:45pm, 6:15pm and 7:00 – 7pm

- 2 visits ½ hour per week (seven days a week)

• Lawyers are unlimited seven days a week

- 9:30-11:00am, 1:30- 4pm and 6:15 -8pm

By: Julia Logozzo

Julia studies Justice Studies at Guelph Humber University.