How do people in detention find out about visitors?

There are several ways people in detention might hear about a visitor group:

• Word of mouth: Often people who have been in touch with a visitor group will share information with others around what the visitor groups can offer

• Through a drop-in: Where groups hold drop-ins within the centre itself, for example in a welfare office or a library, people might simply see visitors in the centre and want to know more.

• Through detention centre or prison staff: The Operating Standards for IRC management require all detention centres to make information about AVID or the local visiting group available to those detained. Information might be shared as part of someone’s induction process when they arrive at the centre, or they might see a poster or leaflet distributed within the centre by staff on behalf of the visitor group. Welfare staff or chaplains may play an important role in referring people to visitor groups when they are concerned for someone’s wellbeing.

• Through another visitor group: Where a visitor group at one centre is in touch with someone who is being moved elsewhere, they may pass on the details of the relevant visitor group. Visitors at short term holding facilities play an important role here in connecting people they meet in detention with support at the centre they are being moved to next.