Barriers to Prison Visitation in Australia: Maintaining Social Contact During Incarceration

This study examines barriers to prison visitation experienced by family members and friends of incarcerated people in Australia. Despite extensive international research, relatively little empirical work has examined visitation barriers in the Australian context. Drawing on survey data (n = 248) and interviews (n = 19), the study identifies five categories of barriers: administrative, institutional, geographic, economic, and technological. Administrative and institutional barriers were most common, including difficulties navigating procedures, inconsistent information, and interactions with staff, while distance and costs further limited visits. Visitation was also strongly gendered, with women bearing most of the practical and emotional burdens. These barriers often intersect, cumulatively constraining contact during incarceration.