Prepare for your visit
Find out what you can bring, what you can wear and how to get to the Alexander Maconochie Centre.
Register as a visitor
The first time you visit a detainee, either at the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC) or by video visit, you must register as a visitor.
Find out how to register as a visitor.
Visits at the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC)
What to bring
Make sure you bring photo identification (ID) to each visit. You will need to show this and to pass a positive eye scan before you can enter the AMC.
You need to pass security before you enter, this includes going through a metal detector and having any items you’re allowed to bring into the AMC searched.
If you have a medical reason for why you cannot pass through a medical detector, bring a medical certificate explaining this. You will be screened in another way.
We recommend you leave your possessions at home.
If you arrive with items that you can’t bring in, you may be able to store them in a secure locker at visitor reception. There are a limited number of lockers available. The lockers are free.
Bringing items for detainees
You may be able to bring personal items or clothing for the person you are visiting.
Detainees will need to complete a form to request the items first. If approved, you can leave the items at the visitor reception and they will be given to the detainee.
Any items you bring must be brand new with the tags attached. Clothing items will go through a hot wash before being distributed to detainees.
Banned items
There are many items you cannot bring into the AMC. Banned items include:
- alcohol
- vapes, cigarettes, tobacco and other smoking related items, such as lighters
- weapons
- drugs, medication and syringes
- mobile phones
- smartwatches
- USB storage devices.
Read the full list of prohibited items.
What to wear
There are dress standards for all visitors to the AMC. If you dress inappropriately you may be refused entry and have your visit cancelled.
You cannot wear any of the following items:
- revealing or offensive clothing, including transparent or provocative clothing, bare midriffs, short skirts or shorts where underwear is visible
- clothing with offensive words or images
- clothing with excessive metal
- gang related items
- steel capped shoes or boots
- thongs or badly deteriorating footwear, or bare feet
- headwear and hats, unless a sunhat for a child or for religious reasons
- sunglasses, unless required for visual needs
- high-visibility clothing
- money belts
- smart watches.
You can wear some jewellery, this is limited to:
- one necklace
- one bracelet
- 2 rings.
You may be allowed to enter with more jewellery if you wear it for religious reasons, or cannot easily remove it due to long-term wear.
Getting to the AMC
The AMC is located at 10,400 Monaro Highway, Hume, Canberra ACT.
By car
Follow the signs to the visitor’s car park. Once parked please follow the blue line to the AMC entrance.
By bus
There is a bus service between Woden Interchange and the AMC. This is the 902 route.
When you arrive follow the blue line to the AMC entrance.
Expected behaviour during a visit
During a visit you must behave in an appropriate way and follow all directions a correctional officer gives you.
If you are visiting with a child, you must supervise your child at all times.
The following is not allowed during your visit:
- smoking
- profanity, hate speech or physical gestures
- shouting or loud conversations
- items being passed between individuals
- behaviour which presents a risk to the security of the AMC or to the safety of anyone within the AMC
- sexually active or provocative behaviour
- verbally or physically abusive behaviour towards any person
- removing your clothing or shoes
- putting feet on chairs or tables.
If you don’t follow the expected behaviours, your visit could be ended and you will be asked to leave.
Video visits using Zoom
After you book your visit, you will get a text message with:
- confirmation of the scheduled visit
- instructions about how to join the call using the Zoom application.
When it is time for your video visit:
- be ready at the scheduled time. If you are late your visit will be shorter than the allocated time.
- have government issued ID ready to show the correctional officer at the start of the call.
- be in a private place. There cannot be members of the public or anyone not included in your booking in the background.
If a visitor is aged under 18, they:
- can attend the Zoom visit if there are no orders in place to prevent this and their name is on the booking
- do not have to show ID at the start of the visit
- cannot book a Zoom visit.
Video visits follow the same guidance as in person visits. There are expected behaviour and dress standards to follow.
The following is not allowed during your video visit:
- profanity including swearing
- shouting or loud conversations
- sexual activity or provocative behaviour
- being verbally abusive towards any person
- clothing with offensive words or images
- gang related clothing or items
For video visits you also must:
- not display other devices such as mobile phones or televisions, which could allow the detainee to see or hear other media
- not share the meeting details or invite other people into the visit on other devices
- join on one device. You cannot try to join a visit with a second device.
If you do not follow the rules, a correctional officer may end the visit. There may be restrictions on future visits.