Prison visitor

Verified 26 December 2025 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister), Ministry of Justice

Who can become a prison visitor? Any person of full age whose criminal record A virgin can become a prison visitor if she obtains a license from the prison services. A prison visitor contributes volunteer the improvement of the living conditions of inmates. Its main mission is to help these people prepare their reinsertion. The prison visitor intervenes still in a penitentiary. We present you the information to know.

A prison visitor is a volunteer the National Association of Visitors of Persons under Legal Assistance (ANVP).

Its mission is to going to jail to listen, accompany and help inmates isolated in their approach to reinsertion.

The prison visitor may in particular:

  • Assist the detained person in his/her administrative procedures (e.g. legal aid)
  • Interact with the detained person, without the presence of a supervisor
  • Participate in the collective activities organized in the penitentiary.

All person detained has the right to be accompanied by a prison visitor, regardless the offense that she committed. The prison visitor is not aware of the facts for which the person is being held.

The prison visitor accompanies the person detained in the prison for which he is authorized.

He can follow a person convicted or placed pretrial detention.

In general, it works with only one person. However, depending on local needs and availability, it may be suggested to follow several of them.

FYI  

The prison visitor accompanies only persons with whom he has no no friendly or family ties.

To become a prison visitor, you have to be of age, have a criminal record virgin and obtain approval from the prison services.

How to apply for accreditation to become a prison visitor?

The application for approval can be made online or by post.

Please note

Before applying for approval, the applicant is advised to join theANVP: titleContent by paying a contribution.

Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

Online

The request can be made directly on the website of theANVP: titleContent :

Application for accreditation to become a prison visitor

Please note

If the person wishes to join theANVP: titleContent or make a donation as soon as she applies, she can pay directly online (by indicating her bank details).

By post

The request must be addressed to the Director of the SPIP on which the person detained. The applicant must provide the following information:

  • Surname, first name, date and place of birth
  • Nationality
  • Family status (e.g. single, married, etc.)
  • Profession
  • Personal address
  • Prison establishment(s) with which he wishes to intervene
  • Reasons why he wishes to become a prison visitor or accompanying visitor.

He must also attach the following documents:

  • Photocopy of the vital card
  • 2 ID photos.
Who shall I contact

How is the prison visitor's application processed?

After applying for accreditation, the candidate meets with the correspondent ANVP: titleContent and the person responsible for prison insertion and probation service of the prison in which he wishes to volunteer.

Please note

These discussions do not take place at the same time.

Then, he is the subject of an administrative investigation (on his personality, his psychological balance, his availability, etc.). This investigation can last several months.

Following these 3 steps, the Director of the SPIP: titleContent draw up a report and ask for the opinion of the prefect of the department in which the candidate resides.

The file is then forwarded to the interregional director of prison services (the director's superior). SPIP: titleContent), which makes the final decision. He can accept or refuse the application.

After applying for accreditation, the candidate meets with the correspondent ANVP: titleContent and the person responsible for prison insertion and probation service of the prison in which he wishes to volunteer.

Please note

These discussions do not take place at the same time.

Then, he is the subject of an administrative investigation (on his personality, his psychological balance, his availability, etc.). This investigation can last several months.

Following these 3 steps, the Director of the SPIP: titleContent draw up a report and ask for the opinion of the prefect of the department in which the candidate resides.

The file is then forwarded to the interregional director of prison services (the director's superior). SPIP: titleContent), which makes the final decision. He can accept or refuse the application.

Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

Acceptance of the application

If the interregional director of penitentiary services decides to grant approval to the candidate, he shall first inform the director of the SPIP: titleContent. He then draws up a prison visitor card in two copies (one for the visitor, the other for the prison). Thus, the visits can begin.

The approval is valid for a period of 2 years. It may be renewed upon written request of the prison visitor.

Refusal of application

If he refuses approval, the interregional director of prison services must justify his decision. The refusal may be based on the absence of need in the prison or on the unfavorable opinion of the prefect.

There is no recourse in the event of refusal of authorization. The candidate can only have access to his file.

However, if the interregional director has not replied to the candidate in a 2 months delay upon receipt of his complete file, the candidate may refer the matter to the administrative court.

Who shall I contact

Before starting his voluntary activity, the prison visitor is informed of the obligations to which he will have to submit during the visits. All these obligations are set out in a charter which it concludes with the prison administration.

In addition, he must respect the prison's duty, particularly in terms of discipline and security.

The prison visitor undertakes in particular to:

  • Dedicate time to volunteer activity, without encroaching on professional and personal activities
  • Accompany the detained person while respecting the missions of the Prison Service for Insertion and Probation (SPIP)
  • Report to SPIP: titleContent any information relevant to the follow-up of the person detained and the smooth running of the accompaniment
  • Exercise discretion by refraining from disclosing any confidences that the detained person may have made to him
  • Do not leave a dangerous tool at the disposal of the detained person.

In order to carry out their duties, a prison visitor may meet and communicate with the prisoner they are accompanying.

Warning  

Where an inmate is the subject of a prohibition of communicationHowever, the prison visitor cannot come into contact with her.

How are prison visits organized?

A prison visitor can meet with detainees within the penal institution.

In remand homeHowever, the visits take place once a week. If the person is detained in a central house or a detention center, they take place once or twice a month.

The hours and days of the visit shall be determined by the head of the prison in agreement with the prison visitor.

The exchange times are organized in a converted room, inside the prison. They always take place without the presence of a supervisor.

The prison visitor does not need a visiting permit to enter the prison. The license granted to him authorizes him to enter the establishment in order to meet the person he follows.

Please note

Where there is reason to believe that the prison visitor is preparing to commit a crime, infringement authorized supervisors may jeopardize the security of the prison establishment and may check its identity. In the event of opposition to the identity check, these guards may use force to detain the person pending the arrival of an officer of the national police or the gendarmerie.

These supervisors may also carry out the palpation of the person concerned, visual inspection of his belongings (example: his bag) and, if he agrees, their search.

How do a prison visitor and an inmate exchange?

The prison visitor and the prisoner he accompanies may exchange in writing, in an open envelope and without prior authorization.

The mail may be checked and detained by the prison administration.

The duration of the accompaniment is determined according to the needs of the detained person. The prison visitor and the person he follows are free to terminate the accompaniment at any time.

The approval may be removed in 2 ways:

  • By decision of the prison administration
  • By decision of the judicial authorities (application sentencing judge and public prosecutor). In this case, the accompanying visitor is informed that the withdrawal has been requested by the judicial authorities.

Warning  

In case of emergency and for serious reasons, the approval may also be suspended by the Director of the SPIP that follows the detained person. In this case, the interregional director of prison services is immediately informed of the situation that led to this request for suspension.

Except where the withdrawal is ordered by the judicial authorities, the visitor is informed of the reasons for which the prison administration wishes to suspend or withdraw its approval. For example, failure to comply with an obligation set out in the Charter of Engagement may lead to the suspension or withdrawal of authorization.

The visitor is also informed of the conditions for challenge that decision. Upon request, the visitor may submit written observations and defend himself orally before the prison administration. During this interview, he may be assisted by a lawyer.

Please note

During this interview, he may be assisted by a lawyer.

On the same subject

Who can help me?

Find who can answer your questions in your region