Understanding the Rules for Prison Visitation in South Africa
Published 25 July 2025
Authored by the Scorpion Legal Content Team, our team of writers and experienced legal professionals dedicated to providing clear, accurate, and actionable insights on legal topics.
Reading Time: 9 minutes
Who Can Visit an Inmate Legally?
Scheduling a Visit
Visitation Process
If you are looking to visit someone in prison in South Africa, you will need to comply with the rules and regulations set out by the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) and relevant legislation like the Correctional Services Act (111 of 1998) and its Regulations. Understanding these is essential to ensure your visit goes smoothly. This guide explains what you need to know about prison visitation in South Africa, from who may visit and how to book a visit, to how long visits may be, and what to expect at the facility – especially if this is your first time visiting someone in prison.
1. Who Can Visit an Inmate Legally?
Eligible Visitors
Spouses/partners, next of kin, chosen religious counsellors, and chosen medical practitioners are prioritised by the Correctional Services Act (111 of 1998). If an inmate is not able to receive visits from his or her spouse, partner, or next of kin, they can be visited by any other person.
However, in South Africa, the primary visitors who can visit an inmate legally are those listed on the inmate's approved visitor list, which includes family and friends nominated by the prisoner. Additionally, legal practitioners, social workers, and other professionals have designated visiting times to see inmates for professional reasons.
It's important to know that anyone not on this list will not be allowed to visit. The list includes the visitor's full name, address, date of birth, and relationship to the prisoner.
Foreign nationals must be allowed to communicate with their country's embassy or consulate. If their country doesn’t have one, they must be allowed to speak to a representative from another country or organisation that looks after their rights and interests.
Visiting privileges are also determined according to the security classification of the prisoner.
Documents/Details Required When Visiting
- Your South African ID or your passport
- The case number of the person you want to visit in prison
- The inmate’s registration number (if you have it)
They will also ask you for your personal details, and the personal details of the person you want to visit in prison, and will verify these.
It may be a good idea to bring proof of your relationship to the person you want to visit, for example, if you are the spouse, bring a copy of your marriage certificate.
2. Scheduling a Visit
How to Book a Visit
To schedule a visit with an inmate in a South African correctional facility, you will need to make a booking. To do this, you must contact the correctional facility directly. The Head of the Correctional Centre is also directed to give inmates the telephone number/s that they must use to arrange visitation bookings.
Bookings must be made at least 48 hours before you plan to visit, although officials may make exceptions for emergencies.
Important to note:
- Make sure you arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment.
- The waiting period for visitors to register at the visitation counter is 15 minutes (according to DCS Service Delivery Charter, 2025/6).
- The waiting period for visitors after registration at the visitation area is 45 minutes.
- All visitors will be searched, and you will be asked to leave valuables at the main gate.
Prison Contact Details
Below is a list of several well-known correctional centres along with their contact details. This is not a comprehensive listing. Click here for a full list of correctional centres and their contact details, as published by the Department of Correctional Services.
| Area |
Name of Centre |
Address |
Contact Number |
Head of the Centre |
| Johannesburg (Sun City Prison) |
Medium C Correctional Centre |
9 Main Street, Meredale, Johannesburg, 2110 |
011 933 7063 |
Mr MK Makgatlo |
| Medium B Correctional Centre |
|
011 933 7113 |
Mr M P Mohale |
| Medium A Correctional Centre |
|
011 933 7154 |
Mr G Mohlathe |
| Female Correctional Centre |
|
011 933 7087 |
Mr MH Tloubatla |
| Johannesburg Community Corrections |
|
011 376 8803 |
Pieter Gouws/Flip Van Eck |
| Cape Town (Pollsmoor Management Area) |
Pollsmoor Medium C Corrcent |
Oukaapseweg, Tokaai, 7966 |
021 700 1293 |
Mr JH Klein |
| Pollsmoor Medium B Corrcent |
|
021 700 1210 |
Mr FW Africa |
| Pollsmoor Medium A Corrcent |
|
021 700 1179 |
Mr CJ Jacobs |
| Pollsmoor Maximum Corrcent |
|
021 700 1150 |
Mr HW Roelofse |
| Pollsmoor Female Corrcent |
|
021 700 1229 |
Mr SH Oberholster |
| Boksburg, East Rand |
Boksburg Corrcent |
Barry Marius Road, Boksburg, 1460 |
011 898 3700 |
OT Van Der Merwe |
| Durban, KwaZulu Natal |
Durban Commcorr |
Commercial Street, Durban, 4000 |
031 300 7600 |
A/O G Cawood |
| East London, Eastern Cape |
East London Commcorr |
Court Building, Buffalo Street, East London, 5200 |
043 743 3143 |
Mr R AH Swemmer |
| Grootvlei, Free State |
Mangaung Corrcent (APOPS) |
Dewetsdorp Road, Bloemfontein, 9300 |
051 406 5399 |
Not available |
| Pretoria Central |
Pretoria Central Corrcent |
Potgieter Street, Pretoria, 7508 |
012 314 1905 |
Mr Cronje |
| Thohoyandou, Limpopo |
Makhado Corrcent |
Anderson Street, Louis Trichardt, 920 |
015 516 2251/5 |
Mr TR Nelwamondo |
Visiting Days and Times
In South Africa, prison visits generally take place between 9AM and 3PM on designated visiting days, with specific days allocated based on whether an inmate is a remand detainee (individual awaiting trial) or a sentenced offender (individual serving a court-imposed sentence). Visitation schedules in South African correctional facilities typically follow these guidelines:
Remand detainees (individuals awaiting trial):
- Visiting days: Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays (excluding public holidays). However, the Head of Centre may make additional days available.
- Only one visitor is permitted per inmate at a time.
- Inmates are generally limited to one non-contact visit per month.
- A normal visit period is 30 minutes per visit.
- Visiting hours: Generally between 09:00 and 15:00 on designated visiting days.
Sentenced inmates (individuals serving a court-imposed sentence):
- Visiting days: Wednesdays, Thursdays, weekends, and public holidays.
- Only one visitor is permitted per inmate at a time.
- Inmates are generally limited to one non-contact visit per month.
- A normal visit period is 30 minutes per visit, but this depends on the security classification of the inmate.
- Visiting hours: Generally between 09:00 and 15:00 on designated visiting days.
It's important to note that these schedules can vary between facilities. Therefore, it's advisable to confirm the specific visiting days and times with the correctional centre in question.
Important note: Giving false information during screening is a criminal offence.
Visiting Privileges According to Security Classification
Visiting privileges according to the security classification of the offender -
| Offender Group |
Security Class of Offender |
Visit Type (Contact or Non-Contact) |
Duration of Visit |
Delicacies Allowed at Visiting Area |
Number of Visitors Allowed per Visit |
Number of Visits Allowed per Month |
Yearly |
| Group A |
Minimum |
Contact |
60 min |
Yes |
Not more than 2 |
5 visits |
45 |
| Medium |
Contact |
60 min |
No |
Not more than 2 |
5 visits |
45 |
| C-Max |
Non-contact |
30 min |
No |
Not more than 2 |
3 hrs |
24 |
| Super Maximum |
Non-contact |
30 min |
No |
Not more than 2 |
3 hrs |
24 |
| Group B |
Minimum |
Contact |
45 min |
No |
Not more than 2 |
4 visits |
36 |
| Medium |
Contact |
45 min |
No |
Not more than 2 |
4 visits |
36 |
| C-Max |
Non-contact |
30 min |
No |
Not more than 2 |
2 visits |
24 |
| Super Maximum |
Non-contact |
30 min |
No |
Not more than 2 |
2 visits |
24 |
| Group C |
Minimum |
Non-contact |
30 min |
No |
Only 1 |
2 visits |
24 |
| Medium |
Non-contact |
30 min |
No |
Only 1 |
2 visits |
24 |
| C-Max |
Non-contact |
30 min |
No |
Only 1 |
2 visits |
24 |
| Super Maximum |
Non-contact |
30 min |
No |
Only 1 |
2 visits |
24 |
Source: Visitation Process, http://www.dcs.gov.za/?page_id=1120
What Can You Bring In?
When you arrive at the prison, you will be searched. Officers will determine what is and is not allowed in based on the protocols and procedures of the correctional facility. You may be asked to leave your valuables at the main gate. No unauthorised items (example: firearms, drugs, knives) will be allowed. You will be searched again before being accompanied to the visitation area, and once more at the waiting area and before you leave.
It may be useful to view the list of items that inmates are allowed to have in their possession here, as this differs based on security classification.
Note on food: Visitors are encouraged to buy food/delicacies for inmates at the local facility available at the visitation area should they wish to bring in food. No cooked food may be taken back into the correctional facility by the inmate – it must be finished during the visit.
Conjugal Visits
A conjugal visit is a scheduled time during which an inmate is permitted private interaction with a visitor, typically allowing for extended personal contact and intimacy, including sex. Currently, South African law does not recognise any explicit right to conjugal visits for inmates, and prison visits are supervised.
However, it should be noted that inmates have the right to be visited by a spouse/partner or next of kin in order to maintain family bonds.
3. Visitation Process
Arrival and Registration Procedure
When you enter the correctional facility for your scheduled visit, you will be searched. Your details will be logged in a register and you will be asked to provide:
- Your South African ID or passport
- Your personal details
- The case number or registration number of the inmate you are visiting
You will be given a visitor’s tag that you should display at all times.
Waiting Area
You will be searched again before being accompanied to the visiting area, as well as when you arrive there. Your details, and the details of the inmate you’re visiting will be verified here. Officers will explain the rules of the visiting area to you.
Visit
You will wait in the waiting area while the inmate you want to visit is located.
Note: The inmate may decide whether or not they want to see you, and can decline your visit.
While you wait, you can buy food from the tuck shop for the inmate and/or yourself to eat in the visiting area.
Officials will bring the inmate to the visitor’s area. All visits are monitored and must take place within sight and earshot of an official. If you or the inmate misbehaves, officials may end the visit immediately.
Five minutes before your time is up, you will be notified. The inmate will be called first and taken back into the correctional facility. The visitor must remain seated.
Contact vs Non-Contact Visits
The type of visit an inmate is allowed depends on their security classification.
Contact visits take place in general visiting areas. These visits permit physical interaction such as hugging or kissing upon arrival and departure, and sitting opposite the visitor during the visit. Explicit intimacy or sexual conduct is not permitted. Contact visits are conducted in general visiting areas under guard supervision.
Non-contact visits are conducted in specially designed booths separated by glass or plastic partitions, preventing physical contact. Communication occurs via an intercom system or through supervised conversation if no intercom is available. Non-contact visits are the norm for lower classification groups and for unsentenced prisoners who do not qualify for contact visits regardless of the length of their detention.
Exit Procedure
Once the inmate has left, you will go back to the waiting room. Here you will be searched and then accompanied back to the main gate.
You will return your visitor’s tag.
Visitors who left their valuables at the gate must claim them back.
Visiting someone in prison can be nerve-wracking. That’s why it’s essential to understand and follow the official rules set by the Department of Correctional Services. Always confirm details with the correctional facility before visiting, as their visiting days and times may change.
For more detailed guidance on visiting someone specific in prison, we would advise getting legal advice.
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