Professional Documents
Culture Documents
FOR
FAMILIES AND VISITORS
OF PRISONERS
LODDON PRISON PRECINCT
Loddon
Postal Address:
Loddon Prison
Locked Bag 3
CASTLEMAINE VIC 3450
Telephone:
(03) 5471 1211
Fax:
(03) 5471 1222
Contents
Introduction.........................................................4
Important Information..........................................5
Approved Identification........................................6
Prisoners Approved Property.............................7
Prisoners Money................................................8
Mail and Telephone Calls....................................9
Visit Times and Dates........................................10
How to get to Loddon........................................11
Bus Timetable...................................................12
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Contact Numbers..............................................13
Introduction
This information booklet is to give you, the family and visitors of prisoners at Loddon Prison
Precinct, some helpful information. By having prior knowledge of the rules and regulations,
which apply to visiting the prison, it is hoped that you will be at ease and enjoy a rewarding
visit.
Loddon Prison
Loddon is a combination of Medium and Minimum security rated prisoners.
It is located in Central Victoria; approximately 2 Kilometres from the City of Castlemaine and is
about one and half-hour drive from Melbourne.
Loddon is a campus style Prison within secure perimeters with landscape grounds and
modern buildings. It offers a wide range of programs and activities with the emphasis on
prisoner rehabilitation and transitional needs. Loddon Prison is dedicated to providing a
environment and facilities which, as closely as possible, resembles those in the general
community.
Visit Centre
Visits take place in a building designed to promote a cheerful and pleasant atmosphere. Apart
from the indoor area there is an adjacent outdoor area which is paved and has outdoor
seating. A baby change room is located near the entrance foyer.
There is also a kiosk where you can purchase hot and cold snack food and drinks. You are
permitted, at time of entry via Visit Reception, to bring money into the visit and purchase food
and drinks at the kiosk.
Please Note: To comply with Corrections Victoria Smoking Policy all visitors are advised, that
from December 01-2004, the Visit Centre is a designated Smoke Free area.
Visitors Reception
Visitors will enter the prison through the Gatehouse entry into a waiting area equipped with
lockers, telephone, toilets and seating. This is the Visitors Reception Area. It is in this area
that the Visitors Process takes place.
An approved visitor may leave authorised property and monies at Visitors Reception for
prisoners on visit days. This must be left prior to the visit commencing. Any property being
sent out by a prisoner is to be collected on completion of the visit from Visitors reception.
Visiting a Prisoner
Prisoners approved visitors list
Each prisoner is required to provide the location with a list of names of fifteen adults
(over the age of 16) who he would expect to visit him.
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It is his responsibility to maintain this list. If a persons names does not appear on the
list they may be denied access to the prison.
Any person who has a CRN (Corrections Reference Number) recorded against their name and
who wishes to enter the prison for the purpose of visiting a prisoner, either professionally or
socially, must make written application for permission to visit from the General Manager
Loddon Prison prior to any visit taking place. The General Manager will reply in writing.
A letter of authority must be produced prior to entry into Loddon Prison
Teething gel, nappy cream or any other medication must be in a plastic bag clearly
marked with your name and given to an officer in the visit centre. Access to these
items can be gained as required.
NO OTHER ITEMS ARE ACCEPTABLE WITHOUT SPECIFIC APPROVAL
Approved Identification
All visitors must be on the Prisoners Visits List to be allowed entry.
Visitors must provide Current satisfactory 100 points of identification-see ID list below:
100 POINTS
Drivers License
Correctional Services Pass
Boat License
Consulate ID Card
Valid Passport
Shooters License
Key Pass
Proof of Age Card
Police Member ID
Ombudsman photo ID Card
Working with Children Check Card
Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission ID
50 POINTS
Sixty Plus Card
Birth Certificate
Australian Citizenship Certificate
Marriage Certificate
Law Institute Card
Defence Department ID
Government Authorised U16
25 POINTS
Medicare Card
Social Security Card
Student Card
Credit Card
Bank Book
Seniors Card
In the 25 point category, only one of each of the satisfactory identification will be
accepted, i.e. one Credit Card, one Bank Book, one Social Security Card and a
Medicare Card.
However, four of these items together will equal 100 points.
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Anyone who cannot produce satisfactory identification will not be permitted to enter
the prison, without the express approval of the Officer in Charge or Operations
Manager.
Maximum of two (2) local newspapers (not Herald Sun, The Age and alike which may
be purchased via the prison)
Maximum three (3) reading books (soft or hard cover)
Maximum six (6) photographs standard size no Polaroids.
Two (2) Towels, light colour only up to 170cm x 90cm in size
One (1) calendar (no larger than A4 size) Not laminated
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Legal papers
Magazines Maximum of 2 magazines
Prisoner Money
Monies enable the prisoner to make regular purchases at the Prisoner Shop where he can buy
items such as cigarettes, soft drinks, toiletries, hobby requisites and sporting equipment.
In order to send money to a prisoner you must be on the prisoners visitors list.
A prisoner may receive up to $140 per calendar month, Plus an additional $50.00 upon written
request for their Phone Account. If the money order or cheque exceeds the monthly allowance
it will be sent back in full.
Additional Phone Money must be applied for every three months. If you wish all or part of any
money forwarded to the prisoner to be placed specifically in his phone account, please state
so on back of money order/envelope.
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Loddon Prison Precinct encourages visitors to forward money orders/bank cheques via mail,
as this will enable faster processing at the visitors reception desk on visit days. No personal
cheques accepted.
All monies received are to reflect the senders name and address. Bank cheques or Money
Orders received by mail will not be placed in the prisoners accounts if the name and address
of the sender is not able to be identified.
Any monies received which do not meet these requirements will not be made available to the
prisoner until his release.
Media organisations
Pager numbers
Exchange lines
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Visitors and prisoners should not place legs/feet on each other or on furniture.
Prisoners may receive up to four (4) adult visitors and a reasonable number of children on
any one visit. Supervision and control of all children accompanying visitors is the
responsibility of the visitor. Unruly behaviour by children may result in the visit being
terminated if such behaviour affects other visitors, prisoners and/or families.
All visitors are requested to vacate the visits centre prior to 3.00pm to enable the prison to
conduct a count (visitors co-operation would be appreciated)
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BY RAIL:
There are regular rail services from Southern Cross Station to and from Castlemaine daily.
There are bus transfers available to and from the train station at Castlemaine to Loddon
Prison Precinct, refer to timetable on the following pages.
Tickets for V-Line are now purchased via a Myki Card, which can be brought from any railway
station and all 7/11 stores.
All Myki retail outlets sell Full Fare, General Concession, Child and Seniors Myki cards, with
most offering top up services.
Please Note: Any visitor arriving on a train service arriving at Castlemaine after 11.15am
would have less than a 2-hour visit.
A taxi service is operated by Maine Taxis on phone no. 131008
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Bus Timetable
Departing Castlemaine Train Station Loddon Prison
Saturday
Morning (AM) / Afternoon (PM)
Time train arrives at Castlemaine
from Melbourne
Time bus leaves Castlemaine
Railway Station
Time bus arrives at Loddon Prison
AM
AM
AM
AM/PM
8.51
9.50
10.54
11.59
8.56
9.55
11.15
12.20
9.06
10.05
11.25
12.30
AM
10.05
AM
11.35
PM
12.30
PM
2.40
10.15
11.45
12.40
2.50
10.54
11.59
12.49
2.59
AM
AM
10.10
11.12
10.15
11.25
10.25
11.40
AM
11.40
PM
2.20
11.50
2.30
11.59
2.59
Passengers are advised to check the train and bus timetables and reservations
requirements with V/Line.
N.B. V-Line timetables are subject to change. Confirm with V/Line Castlemaine
before travelling - (03) 5472 4205 or visit www.vline.com.au
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Contact Numbers
If you have concerns regarding a prisoner you have just visited, you can raise your
concerns with staff at the Visit Reception or contact one of the organisations listed
below.
Traditional welfare staff are not part of the management structure of Loddon Prison.
Each prisoner is assigned a Caseworker, who in conjunction with other unit team
members assists prisoners to deal with welfare issues.
VACRO -
Address:
VACRO
1st Floor
116 Hardware Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Postal Address
P O Box 14093
Melbourne VIC 8001
Email:
Website:
info@vacro.org.au
www.vacro.org.au
Telephone:
Free Call:
Email:
reception@bdac.com.au
Phone:
Fax:
Medical Fax:
Postal Address:
PO Box 280
Doncaster Heights VIC 3109
Phone:
Fax:
Email:
vic.office@prisonfellowship.org.au
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