Tele-visiting is an electronic means of communication, which allows inmates to be visited 'remotely' at a conveniently located Prisons Link Centre (PLC). It eliminates the need for visitors to go to relatively distant Institutions for visits and having to go through elaborate security procedures.

Tele-visit, which makes use of video conferencing technology, was first introduced in Prisons Department in March 1999. The introduction of the tele-visit system is aimed at bringing about greater convenience as well as time and cost savings to the inmates' visitors. In addition, the use of the system also provides better privacy and quality of visit to the visitors as communication via the system is clear and the environment is comfortable.

The first PLC (Paya Lebar) comprising 10 tele-visit terminals for inmates' visitors was set up in CISCO Centre at Jalan Affifi, which is conveniently located near the Paya Lebar MRT Station. In 2004, a second PLC (Queenstown) comprising six tele-visit terminals was set up in Queenstown Remand Prison.

The PLCs are linked to eight Institutions, namely, Queenstown Remand Prison, Tanah Merah Prison, Admiralty West Prison, Khalsa Crescent Prison, Changi Women's Prison, Kaki Bukit Centre (Prison School), Sembawang Drug Rehabilitation Centre and Selarang Park Drug Rehabilitation Centre as well as Changi Prison Complex Cluster A Institutions via dedicated Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) lines. Changi Prison Complex Cluster A also has a dedicated PLC (Changi) serving only inmates from Cluster A Institutions.

With the introduction of tele-visiting, inmates' family members need not travel to the Institutions. They can go to any of the PLCs to tele-visit the inmates. However, the inmates' family members can continue to have the conventional face-to-face visits if they choose to do so.

Address:

PLC (Paya Lebar)
20 Jalan Affifi
#02-01 Cisco Centre II
Singapore 409179
Nearest MRT Station: Paya Lebar

PLC (Queenstown)
No. 50 Jalan Penjara
Singapore 149373
Nearest MRT Station: Queenstown

PLC (Changi)
990 Upper Changi Road North
Singapore 506968

Frequently Asked Questions about Tele-visiting

1. Can I choose the visit dates for tele-visiting?

You can select your preferred timeslot for tele-visiting. However, like the face-to-face visit at Institutions, you need to adhere to the scheduled visit dates for the tele-visit session. You have to make bookings for tele-visiting, either at the Centre or Institution, at least 3 working days prior to the visit. You should also arrive at the Centre half an hour before your scheduled tele-visit timeslot for registration purposes.

2. Can I tele-visit from other locations besides the Prisons Link Centre?

If you are visiting inmates housed in Cluster A institutions, you can choose to tele-visit from any of the PLCs. For inmates housed in the remaining institutions, you can choose to tele-visit either from PLC (Paya Lebar) or PLC (Queenstown).

Alternatively, visitors of inmates accommodated at Changi Women's Prison, Queenstown Remand Prison, Tanah Merah Prison and Selarang Park DRC may choose to have tele-visits at the Institution itself.

3. Can I still have face-to-face visits at the Institution for subsequent visits after I opt for tele-visiting?

Yes. Tele-visiting is introduced as an additional and convenient means of visiting your loved one. Hence, you are free to choose the mode of visit you prefer.

4. How do I register for tele-visiting?

If you are opting for tele-visit for the first time, you will need to register with the Visit Officer at the Institution where your loved one is housed. Specifically, you need to inform the Visit Officer of your preferred timeslot, subject to availability.

On the day of the tele-visit session, you should arrive at the Centre at the scheduled time with your Visit Card and the necessary documentary proof (eg. NRIC, Birth Certificate of your loved one, etc) for registration prior to the tele-visit session.

5. What about visit items?

You can hand over the books / magazines to the Visit Officer at the Centre. These items will be sent to your loved one at his respective Institution, subject to the approval of the Superintendent of the Institution.

For other standard approved visit items (eg. Biscuits, depending on the eligibility of the inmate), you can purchase them from the Officer at the Centre with NETS / Cashcards. Cash payment is not accepted. These items will then be distributed to your loved one at his Institution.

However, you should personally go to the Institution if you wish to perform any of the following for your loved one: