H.M. PRISON LODDON
VISITOR INFORMATION
Our Vision: To be the recognised leader in transitional prisoner management.
Our Mission: Delivering holistic and integrated prisoner services by professional
staff in a safe and positive environment.
Tel:
Fax:
03 5471 1211
03 5471 1222
Postal Address:
Locked Bag 3
Castlemaine Vic 3450
Location:
Cnr. Hitchcock Street & Matheson Road
Castlemaine Vic 3450
Updated - 1 April 2014
F:Reception/Manuals
LODDON PRISON
Loddon Prison is situated in Central Victoria; approximately 2 kilometres from the centre of
the City of Castlemaine and about one and a half hours drive from Melbourne. Loddon
Prison is administered by Corrections Victoria.
Loddon is a campus-style prison, within a secure perimeter, providing accommodation for
409 minimum and medium security prisoners. The landscaped grounds, modern buildings
and wide range of programs and activities provides an environment and facilities which, as
closely as possible, resembles those available in the general community.
HOW TO GET TO LODDON PRISON
BY ROAD:
From Melbourne take the Calder Highway in the direction of Bendigo. Take the
Maryborough / Elphinstone / Castlemaine exit off the freeway. Travel through Chewton to
the outskirts of Castlemaine. The turn off to the prison is clearly indicated at Hitchcock
Street.
Visitors travelling from Bendigo, Maryborough or Daylesford drive through Castlemaine and
turn right at Hitchcock Street.
BY RAIL:
There is a regular train schedule servicing visitors from Melbourne and Bendigo. Passengers
are advised to check train timetables and reservation requirements with V-Line.
NB: V/Line times are subject to change. Telephone 136196 for timetable enquiries. or
www.vline.com.au
Accommodation is available in and around Castlemaine and ranges from Caravan Parks to
hotel / motel and bed and breakfast facilities. Contact Castlemaine Visitor’s Information
Centre on 0354706200 or visitors@mountalexander.vic.gov.au
A taxi service is operated by Maine Taxis on phone no. 131008
BUS TIMETABLE
Saturday
Castlemaine Train Station to Loddon Prison
Train Arrives
Bus Departs
From Melbourne
8.47am
8.56am
11.09am
11.15am
11.55am
12.20pm
Loddon Prison to Castlemaine Train Station
Bus Departs
Arrives At Loddon
From Loddon
10.05am
10.15am
11.35am
11.45am
12.30pm
12.40pm
Sunday
Castlemaine Train Station to Loddon Prison
Train Arrives
Bus Departs
From Melbourne
10.11am
10.20am
11.09am
11.30am
Loddon Prison to Castlemaine Train Station
Bus Departs
Arrives At Loddon
From Loddon
11.40am
11.45am
2.20pm
2.30pm
Arrives At Loddon
9.06am
11.25am
12.30pm
Train Departs
For Melbourne
10.53am
11.55am
12.53pm
Arrives At Loddon
10.25am
11.35am
Train Departs
For Melbourne
11.55am
3.04pm
The above is effective at the time of print.
Please note train tickets will cover the cost of the bus fare between Castlemaine and Loddon
Prison.
NOTICE TO PEOPLE ENTERING THE PRISON
 It is an offence to take any item into or out of the prison without the General
Manager’s permission. Any person found doing so will be apprehended and a
visit ban put into place.
 Persons entering the prison may be asked to submit to a search of their person
and their property, a refusal will incur a visit ban.
 A person wishing to visit a prisoner on a professional basis must produce
appropriate profession identification (e.g. Police ID, Law Card etc).
 Satisfactory identification must be produced by a person wishing to visit a
prisoner. A total of 100 points of identification are required to gain access to the
prison. All identification must be current and only identification items from the
lists below will be accepted.
100 POINTS
Current Driver’s Licence, Correctional Services Pass, Consulate ID Card, Boat
License, Valid Passport, Shooter’s Licence, Key Pass, Police Member I.D., Proof of
Age Card, Ombudsman Photo ID Card
50 POINTS
Sixty Plus Card, Birth Certificate, Australian Citizenship Certificate, Marriage
Certificate, Defence Department I.D., Government Authorised U16, Working with
Children Check Card, Law Institute Card
25 POINTS
Medicare Card, Social Security Card, Student Card, Credit Card, Bank Book,
Seniors Card.
In the 25 point category, only one of each of the satisfactory identification will be
accepted, i.e. one Credit Card, one Bank Book, one Social Security Card and a
Medicare Card; however, four of these items together will equal 100 points.
 Anyone who cannot produce satisfactory identification will not be permitted to
enter the prison, without the express approval of the Officer in Charge or
Operations Manager.
 Any visitor found introducing drugs or drug related items, alcohol or mobile
phones into a prison may be banned from all visits at all prisons for up to 12
months or longer.
Castlemaine:
VISITS
Loddon Prison provides regular contact visits over a three day period - Saturdays, Sundays
and Mondays. Only two visits may take place over the three day period. A maximum of 4
adults (16 years and over) per visit. Children (under the age of 16 years of age) are not
permitted in the Visit Centre until after 10.30am on a Saturday or 11am on a Monday .
VISIT TIMES
Saturday
Maximum 2 ½ hr contact visit – 8am to 3pm
(Children are not permitted until after 10.30am)
Sunday
Maximum 2 ½ hr contact visit – 8am to 3pm
Monday
Maximum 2 ½ hr contact visit – 8.30am to 3pm
(Children are not permitted until after 11am)
Please Note: The 2 ½ hour time limit will commence from when the prisoners first visitor
arrives at the Visit Centre. Additional visitors arriving after this time will not be entitled to
the full 2 ½ hours.
Some prisoners or visitors may only be entitled to non-contact visits (box visit) where the
prisoner and visitors are separated by glass. These visits are of 1 hour.
Professional visits are Monday to Friday 8.30am – 3.30pm by appointment only.
VISIT GUIDELINES
Each prisoner is required to provide the prison with details of visitors (over the age of 16) he
would expect to visit him. It is his responsibility to maintain this list, as persons whose names
do not appear will be denied access to the prison.
Improper conduct, whether by language or conduct by prisoners or visitors, will result in
the visit being terminated. Children remain the responsibility of visitors; unruly behaviour
by children may result in the visit being terminated if such behaviour affects other prisoners
and / or families.
The following is to be adhered to whilst in attendance in the visit centre:
- Visitors and prisoners to be sitting upright
- One person per chair
- Hands visible at all times
- Visitors and prisoners should not place legs/feet on each other or on furniture
- Shoes are to remain on at all times
Any person wishing to enter the prison for the purpose of visiting a prisoner either
professionally or socially who has a CRN (Corrections Reference Number) recorded against
their name must make written application to the General Manager Loddon Prison prior to
any visit taking place. A letter of authority from the General Manager Loddon Prison must
be produced prior to entry into the prison.
VISITORS RECEPTION
Visitors enter the prison through the Gatehouse Reception area equipped with lockers, and
toilets. It is in this area that the Visitors process takes place. Any authorised property and
money being left will be received and receipted prior to the visit taking place. Property being
sent out by a prisoner is collected on completion of the visit.
VISIT CENTRE
Visits take place in a building designed to promote a cheerful and pleasant atmosphere.
Apart from the indoor area there is an adjacent outdoor area which is paved and has outdoor
seating. A baby change room is located near the entrance foyer. A kiosk operates during visit
days providing visitors with a variety of food and drinks for purchase.
Please Note: To comply with Corrections Victoria Smoking Policy the Visit Centre is
designated as a smoke free area. Visitors will not be permitted to take tobacco products into
the Visit Centre.
PERMITTED VISIT ITEMS
The following items are permitted to be taken into the prison visit area:
 1 change of clothing per child
 3 Bibs
 2 baby bottles, formula already made up (No bottle bags. Storage fridge available in
baby feeding area)
 1 toddler drinking cup with lid. (empty)
 3 nappies
 small quantity of wipes In plastic bag
 1 dummy; (No toys or stuffed animals)
 2 manufacture sealed tins/jars of baby food (No yoghurt)
 1 teething rusk (sealed packet)
 1 stroller & 2 blankets
Teething gel, nappy cream or any other medication must be in a plastic bag clearly marked
with your name and given to an officer in the visit centre. Access to these items can be
gained as required.
NO OTHER ITEMS ARE ACCEPTABLE WITHOUT SPECIFIC APPROVAL
* A small plastic bag will be provided by the Prison to visitors to convey monies into the visit
centre.
PROPERTY
It is an offence to give any item directly to a prisoner. Approved items may be left with the
Visits Reception staff prior to the visit taking place. Items may also be posted to the prison.
All articles should be clearly marked with the prisoner’s name and will be examined for any
unauthorised contents prior to distribution to prisoners.
The amount of personal property a prisoner can have is limited. Prisoners can request to
send excess property out of the prison with their visitors. You will be notified of property
being sent out upon arrival of your visit. Excess property being sent out is done so at the
prisoner’s expense.
APPROVED PROPERTY ITEMS
Clothing - Please note: all clothing must be new.
 Three (3) pair of underwear - Can be boxer shorts, jocks, or a combination of both
 One (1) pair Long johns / thermals – white (long or short sleeve)
 Four (4) pairs of socks
 Four (4) singlets – white
 Four (4) T-shirts (long or short sleeve) - white only – no v-neck, no collar, no buttons,
no pockets, no logo of any description.
 Four (4) handkerchiefs (new in packet)
Clothing for court or release must be approved via an Operation Managers request, these
items will be placed directly into the prisoner’s property, not to be issued.
Items
 Maximum of two (2) local newspapers (not Herald Sun, The Age and alike which may
be purchased via the prison)
 Maximum three (3) reading books (soft or hard cover)
 Maximum six (6) photographs standard size – no Polaroids.
 Two (2) Towels, light colour only up to 170cm x 90cm in size
 One (1) calendar (no larger than A4 size) Not laminated
 Legal papers (prison to be informed prior)
Magazines
 Maximum of 2 magazines
The following magazines will not be accepted:
- Restricted magazines
- Weapons magazines
- Excessive violence
- Hydroponics / Home Brewing
- Picture and People magazines
- Tattoo Magazines
- Disks contained within a magazine
Please note that all property received at Loddon Prison will be receipted at visitors
reception on visit days and processed / issues via the Prisoners Property Store.
No exceptions to the above
MONEY
Monies enable the prisoner to make regular purchases at the Prisoner Shop where he obtains
such items as cigarettes, soft drinks, toiletries, hobby requisites and sporting equipment.
In order to send money to a prisoner you must be an approved visitor and appear on his visit
list at the time the money is received.
A prisoner may receive up to $140 per calendar month, Plus an additional $50.00 upon
written request for their Phone Account. If you wish all or part of any money forwarded to
the prisoner to be placed specifically in his phone account, please state so on back of money
order/envelope. Monies may be received via mail in the form of Bank Cheque or Money
Order (no personal cheques will be accepted).
Monies may also be left on visit days prior to a visit taking place. (No money will be
accepted after you have left the visit centre).
All monies received are to reflect the sender’s name and address. Bank cheques or Money
Orders received by mail will not be placed in the prisoner’s accounts if the name and address
of the sender is not able to be identified. Any monies received which do not meet these
requirements will not be made available to the prisoner until his release.
Monies will only be accepted in person on visit days and will not be accepted in advance for
the following month.
MAIL
There is no limit on the number of letters a prisoner may receive or mail out. Prisoners are
able to buy stamps for letters and parcels at the Prisoners Shop. All outgoing and incoming
mail is checked for contraband.
TELEPHONE CALLS
Prisoners cannot directly receive telephone calls or messages. However, the Prisoners
Telephone System allows prisoners to make outside telephone calls. There is no limit on the
number of telephone calls a prisoner can make.
Telephone numbers are provided by the prisoners and are accessible after prison staff have
verified the telephone numbers. All private calls that are made by prisoners may be
monitored and are recorded. Exempt calls (including legal and Ombudsman Victoria) that
the prisoner makes, are not monitored or recorded.
At this time, the following telephone numbers are not approved by Correctional Services : Operator assisted calls
 0055 recorded messages
 TAB or other betting agencies
 1300 and 1800 numbers
 Media organisations
 Pager numbers
 Exchange lines
 Justice Health
 SKYPE or systems using voice over internet protocol (VOIP).
WELFARE - VACRO
Traditional welfare staff are not part of the management structure of Loddon Prison. Each
prisoner is assigned a Senior Prison Officer, who in conjunction with other unit team
members assists prisoners to deal with welfare issues. A family support service is provided
by VACRO (Victorian Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders).
Contact:
Email:
Website:
Telephone:
VACRO,1st Floor, 116 Hardware Street, Melbourne 3000
P O Box 14093, Melbourne 8001
info@vacro.org.au
www.vacro.org.au
(03) 96021366
ZERO TOLLERANCE
Loddon Prison adopts a zero tolerance to abusive behaviour towards staff and contactors.
Should this behaviour be demonstrated at any stage during visits or over the telephone, your
visit/contact will be terminated.
If this behaviour continues the appropriate authorities will be notified.
PRIVACY
Corrections Victoria is bound by the Information Privacy Act (2000) and therefore personal
information on prisoners cannot be disclosed under any circumstances.
Information on release dates etc will not be provided to any member of the public, this
information can only be obtained from the prisoner himself.