Disclaimer: The material in this print-out relates to the law as it applies in the state of Victoria. It is intended as a general guide only. Readers should not act on the basis of any material in this print-out without getting legal advice about their own particular situations. Victoria Legal Aid disclaims any liability howsoever caused to any person in respect of any action taken in reliance on the contents of the publication.

We help Victorians with their legal problems and represent those who need it most. Find legal answers, chat with us online, or call us. You can speak to us in English or ask for an interpreter. You can also find more legal information at www.legalaid.vic.gov.au

Help if you are in prison

On this page

If you are in prison, we can help you:

  • find legal information and resources
  • ask for a lawyer to give you advice and help with your case
  • make a complaint about us.

Search our legal information and read about your options at I need legal information about

You may be able to download or order free copies of our publications and resources.

Our librarians can send you legal resources. This may include:

  • legislation (copies of laws and regulations)
  • case law (court decisions)
  • other items like law journal articles.

They are not able to provide legal advice or research legal issues for you.

Our librarians may send you a table of provisions (list of sections) and ask which sections you need.

To contact our Law Library, write to:

Victoria Legal Aid Library

GPO Box 4380

Melbourne VIC 3001

Ask for a lawyer

You can ask for:

  • a lawyer to help with your case
  • advice on other legal issues.

We often help people in prison with issues like:

  • new criminal charges, bail, appeals and representation
  • child protection and child contact
  • visa cancellations
  • family violence
  • money worries and debt
  • housing law.

Make a complaint

You can complain to us about:

  • our lawyers or services
  • a private lawyer that we paid for
  • not getting a grant of legal aid (to pay for your case).

Contact us to make a complaint. For more information, visit Complaints.

How to contact us if you are in prison

Write to us

To write to us:

  1. Tell prison staff you want to write to Victoria Lega Aid. They must give you an envelope, paper, and pen if you need it. You do not need a stamp.
  2. Tell us what help or information you need and which prison you are in.
  3. Write ‘Legal and Confidential’ on the front of your letter. Address the envelope to:

Victoria Legal Aid

GPO Box 4380

Melbourne VIC 3001

  1. You can:
  • give your letter to prison staff and they will post it
  • put your letter in outgoing mail.

Phone us

You can phone us for free if you are in:

  • Dame Phyllis Frost Centre
  • Loddon Prison and Middleton
  • Metropolitan Remand Centre
  • Port Phillip Prison
  • Ravenhall Correctional Centre.

There is a 12-minute time limit for calls. You can ask us to call you back.

To call us:

  • Dial *#18 Monday to Friday, 9 am to 3 pm.
  • Let us know if you need an interpreter.
  • If you use the National Relay Service, ask them to contact (03) 8373 7915.

Ask us to phone you

We can phone you for free if you are in:

  • Barwon Prison
  • Beechworth Correctional Centre
  • Fulham Correctional Centre
  • Hopkins Correctional Centre
  • Langi Kal Kal
  • Marngoneet Correctional Centre
  • Karreenga Correctional Centre
  • Melbourne Assessment Prison
  • Tarrengower Prison.

To ask us to phone you:

  1. Ask prison staff for a ‘Victoria Legal Aid advice referral form’.
  2. Fill in the form and tell us if you need an interpreter.
  3. Give the form to prison staff to send to us.

Once we get your form, we will contact the prison and make a time to talk to you on the phone. If you use the National Relay Service, ask prison staff to contact (03) 8373 7915.

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