Visiting hours for family, friends and Lawyers
Being incarcerated in Ontario comes with many challenges for both the inmate and the family. There are many privileges that we take for granted in our day-to-day life that are either forbidden or strictly controlled and enforced while in prison. One of these privileges is the freedom to see your family and friends whenever you choose. Whether you’re awaiting trial or have already been sentenced, visiting hours are considered one of the most valuable privileges among inmates.
When can your family, friends and Lawyers visit?
Prisons in Ontario have very similar guidelines for visitation, however they do differ slightly. If you are going to visit an inmate you must present two (2) pieces of identification, one of which must be a government issued photo ID. The amount of people wishing to visit is restricted to two (2) people at a time per visit. Listed below are a few examples of visitation guidelines for prisons in Ontario.
Metro west Detention Centre
- 9am-10:30am & 1pm - 3:30pm (seven days a week)
- 2 visits per week, 20 minutes in length - each
- 6pm - 8:30 pm |(seven days a week as many visits as required)
Talk to an Experienced Criminal Lawyer with PROVEN RESULTS.
or CALL: (416) 658-1818
Metro East Detention Centre
- 1:30 pm – 3pm and 5:30pm – 7 pm (seven days a week)
- Length of visit depends on which unit inmates are placed
- Inmates that have been sentenced are permitted 2 x 40 minute visits
- Inmates awaiting trial are permitted 2 x 20 minute visits per week
Maplehurst Detention Centre
- 1:30 pm – 3pm and 5:30pm – 7pm (seven days a week)
- Length of visit depends on which unit inmates are placed
- Inmates that have been sentenced are permitted 2 x 40 min visits (behind glass)
- Inmates awaiting trial are permitted 2 x 20 minute visits per week
- 9:00am -11:00am, 1:30pm – 3:15pm and 5:30pm – 7:15pm
Central North
- 3:00pm – 5:00pm (weekdays only)
- Inmates that have been sentenced are permitted 2 x 40 min visits
- Inmates awaiting trial are permitted 2 x 20 min visit per week
Hamilton Detention Centre
- They have over 500 inmates so they are divided into groups
- Depending on which group inmate is in for days and times of visit
- Length of visit depends on which unit inmates are placed
- Inmates that have been sentenced are permitted 2 x 40 min visits
- Inmates awaiting trial are permitted 2 x 20 min visit per week
- 9:00am, 1:00pm & 6:00pm
Vanier Centre for Women
- 2:45pm, 6:15pm and 7:00 – 7pm
- 2 visits ½ hour per week (seven days a week)
- 9:30-11:00am, 1:30- 4pm and 6:15 -8pm
By: Julia Logozzo
Julia studies Justice Studies at Guelph Humber University.