Family members and other persons who wish to visit you in prison must obtain a visitation permit first. Rules to obtain one may vary, depending on your status and whether the visitor is a family member, or someone else.
Who may visit you?
1. Family members
According to the Ministry of Justice, members of your family are your:
- ancestors (parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, etc.)
- descendants (children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, etc.)
- collaterals (brothers and sisters)
- married spouse
- civil union partner
- domestic partner (proof of partnership can be provided by any means)
- persons who may prove that they have a common family project with you (for example sharing parental authority over a child)
2. Persons other than family members
Persons who can demonstrate an interest in visiting you may obtain a visitation permit. This may include close relatives, friends, or persons who support you. The support provided may take several forms: moral assistance, help in preparing for release, rehabilitation projects, etc.
Who should the visitor ask for a visitation permit?
1. If you are a condemned prisoner:
- in most cases, visitation permits are issued, refused, suspended, or withdrawn by the head of the prison
- if you are hospitalised for a short period or an emergency, the permit is delivered by the prefect or by the prefect of police in Paris
- if a foreign government has requested your extradition, visitation permits are delivered by the attorney general of the court of appeal in charge of the process
- if you are a protected adult, your guardian is entitled to a visitation permit
2.If you are a prisoner awaiting trial, visitation permits are issued, refused, suspended, or withdrawn by the judge in charge of your case.
What documents should your visitor provide?
Your visitors must complete a specific form to request a visitation permit. Visitation permits are not attributed to the prisoner but to the visitor. As such, each visitor should have its own permit. A separate instruction further details the form. The visitors must also provide the following:
- two ID photos
- a photocopy of their ID
- their birth certificate
- any document proving their family relationship with you (if they are members of your family)
- any document proving that their visits help with your rehabilitation (if they are not members of your family)
- a stamped envelope with their name and address
Your visitors are free to add any other information that they deem relevant and that may help their request. It is also advised to keep a copy of the documents provided in the request.
Refusal to issue a permit
The authority may refuse to deliver the permit. In this case, the authority must justify its decision. If the visitor is a family member, the authority may only refuse, suspend, or withdraw a permit for reasons related to good order, security or prevention of offences. If the visitor is not a family member, the authority may also refuse, suspend, or withdraw a permit if it appears that the visits are an obstacle to the rehabilitation of the prisoner. If you are awaiting trial, the visitation permits refusals are governed by the Code of Criminal Procedure.