CHAPTER 23. VISITS Another important method of maintaining contact between prisoners and the outside world, especially with their families, is through regular visits. The international instruments make it clear that contact with family is a right, not a privilege to be earned. PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS ■ If visits are to play a real part in maintaining a prisoner's connection with the community and in his or her eventual rehabilitation, then they need to be sufficiently frequent and of reasonable length. They should take place in decent conditions of sufficient privacy to permit meaningful and constructive communication to take place. ■ It is important for staff to remember that visitors are not criminals. They should be greeted with courtesy and civility by staff. It may be necessary for staff to search visitors before a visit takes place. Such searches should be carried out in a sensitive manner. ■ In general, visits should take place in surroundings which are as relaxed as possible and with no more supervision than is necessary. ■ Prisoners and their visitors are often anxious about visits. It will be helpful if staff can put visitors at ease, and if there is someone to whom prisoners and visitors can speak about any problems. ■ Visits between a prisoner and his or her family can be quite stressful. Tension can be reduced if the visiting rooms are made as pleasant as possible. ■ It is important that prisoners and their visitors can touch, and that children can be held. ■ Special care and thought needs to be given to visiting arrangements for women prisoners, particularly as regards contact with their children. ■ The maintenance of family ties through visits is especially important for young prisoners. ■ In some countries, for prisoners serving longer sentences or those not eligible for home leave or parole, arrangements are made for family visits lasting perhaps two or more days. This should be encouraged, especially if it is not possible for the prisoner to have home leave. ■ Some prisoners and their friends or families may abuse visiting facilities, for example by attempting to smuggle in drugs or other forbidden items. For prisoners who have demonstrated that they cannot be trusted in normal visiting conditions, it may be necessary for visits to take place under close supervision. ■ Proper visiting arrangements are beneficial not only to prisoners, but also to staff. Prisoners will be more contented and reassured, and staff will learn more about the prisoners in their custody and care. ■ Visitors will often have to travel long distances to visit prisoners. They may need: - Assistance in paying their travel costs; 121