Upon admission into the facility, the inmate provides a list of a maximum of four persons who may visit him/her during incarceration. In the course of their detention inmates can modify the list they provided.

The visitor’s pass is obtained via a written application addressed to the judge for the case of remand inmates and to the governor of the facility for the case of convicted inmates.

A preliminary investigation is carried out. If applicants’ criminal records indicate that they have been sentenced previously, they may be denied a visitor’s pass.

Appointments to the visiting area are made through phone calls to the facility.

Section 31 of the Execution of Sentences Act and the Execution of Sentences Regulations provide guidelines for visits. Each governor can decide on the frequency and days for visits. Inmates may receive “as far as practicable” at least one one-hour visit per week¹.

Conjugal visits, that last two hours, normally occur once a week. Special rooms are provided to ensure privacy. Seven facilities have designated visiting rooms (Åna, Leira, Bredtveit, Bastøy, Halden, Ringerike and Bergen prisons). Couples and their children can stay overnight. Each unit has its own rules and procedures.

Each facility adopts its own regulations regarding permitted items. Visitors are made aware of these rules. Bringing in food to be consumed during the visit is generally allowed.

Family ties rules strive for the prisoner to serve their sentence as close as possible to their habitual residence. This is not always possible.