Personal possessions

Except in some circumstances, offenders are allowed to have certain approved items in their cells. Each prison has a list of approved items, these include:

  • a radio/CD or tape player
  • an electric jug or flask
  • a fan
  • a limited number of books and magazines
  • religious material

There are limitations on the size and quantity of many items, so prisoners need to check the rules with prison staff before friends or relatives bring them anything.

If electronic goods are being brought in, a qualified technician will need to check them before allowing them into the prison.

Cellphones, weapons, drugs, food, tobacco products and pornography are all contraband items and must not be sent to prison. A full list of items that are not allowed in prisons can be found in the operations manual for prisons.

Process for receiving property

All prisoner property must be pre-approved before being sent to, or delivered, to prison. There are limits on the size and quantity of many items, so prisoners need to check the rules with prison staff before friends or relatives bring them anything.

To receive property, prisoners must complete a ‘Request for Property’ form which is approved by unit staff, and the prison property office, if they wish to have items sent into prison for them.

Once the form has been approved it is given back to the prisoner to send to the person providing them with the property. The form must accompany any items arriving at the prison.

All prisons have designated times that property can be delivered to the prison, and you should contact the site directly to confirm this before delivering any items.

If electronic goods are being brought in, the prison will arrange for a qualified technician to complete a check on them before allowing them into the prison. The cost for this is charged to the prisoners Trust Account.

Study and hobby material

Like other prisoner property, study material must be pre-approval before being sent to or delivered to prison. The prisoner needs to complete a ‘request for prisoner property’ form and have this approved prior to receiving the items.

We encourage participation in educational programmes as they provide an opportunity for offenders to gain skills and qualifications that will help them into sustainable employment on release.

Personal hygiene and grooming products

On arrival personal hygiene and grooming products will be checked for contraband and whether they are allowed. If the products are approved they are returned to the prisoner.

People in prison are allowed a small amount of personal toiletries provided they meet certain criteria.

What’s not allowed in prison:

  • aerosols
  • sprays
  • glass containers
  • products containing alcohol
  • nail polish/remover

Personal hygiene and grooming products can only be replaced through the prison's weekly shopping system. They cannot be sent by family and friends.

Clothes

Generally, sentenced prisoners will wear prison clothing and remand prisoners are allowed to wear their own clothes.

Some prisons may allow prisoners to wear some of their own clothing. Gang related or gang coloured clothing and patches are not allowed.