Families Speak Out about Prison Visit Cancellations at Silverwater: Repeated Visit Cancellations at Silverwater’s MRRC Are Taking a Devastating Toll
For many people held on remand at the Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre (MRRC) at Silverwater, a visit from a loved one isn’t a luxury, it’s a lifeline. Yet families are telling us that for over three months, visits have been cancelled repeatedly, often at the last minute, leaving them distressed, out of pocket, and increasingly worried about the mental health of those inside.
Advocate for Change
Last week, an advocate hoping to spark change contacted our firm, providng the following context:
For many people in custody, visits are a critical protective factor for mental health and stability. The repeated uncertainty, last-minute cancellations and lack of clear communication are causing distress, anxiety and deterioration in mental wellbeing. Families are also being affected many are travelling long distances, taking time off work, arranging childcare, only to be turned away due to reasons such as staff shortages or technology issues.
While operational challenges are understood, we are well past the COVID period, and the current situation is beginning to feel like a return to those restrictions without adequate justification or transparency. The ongoing nature of this issue is deeply concerning.
Families Of Prisoners Speak Their Truth: Prison Visit Cancellations at Silverwater
A prisoner advocate recently brought these concerns to our attention, sharing accounts from families who have been directly affected. One mother, Lisa*, described the impact on her son:
“This has had a massive impact on my son’s mental health. I have not been able to get a visit for over two months. Every visit that I book gets cancelled with very little information as to why, it’s starting to feel like excuses.”
Harry*, whose brother is an inmate, shared his frustration:
“We recently lost our mum and I have not been able to have a visit to try and support my brother emotionally through this because they all keep getting cancelled.”
Perhaps most heartbreaking is Anna’s* story. Her husband is currently held at MRRC, and she recently gave birth to their child:
“We recently had a baby and I have not been able to introduce our child to my husband and it is heartbreaking. It’s having a massive impact on us both and I cannot understand why they keep allowing me to book visits only to cancel them just before they meant to happen.”
*Names have been changed to protect privacy.
Why Visits Matter for Prisoners: Prison Visit Cancellations at Silverwater
Visits are not just about maintaining family bonds, though that alone would be reason enough to prioritise them. Research consistently shows that regular contact with family is a critical protective factor for mental health in custody. For people on remand who have not been convicted of any offence, the ability to see loved ones is particularly important as they navigate an incredibly stressful and uncertain time.
When visits are cancelled repeatedly, with little explanation and no clear timeline for resolution, it creates a cycle of anxiety, disappointment, and deteriorating well-being, not just for prisoners, but for their families too. Many travel long distances, take time off work, and arrange childcare, only to be turned away.
Is This a Broader Problem?
The short answer is yes, though the extent of the issue at MRRC has not been formally investigated.
Staff shortages and resulting service disruptions have been well-documented in correctional facilities across Australia. Most notably, a 2025 report from Western Australia’s Inspector of Custodial Services found that at Hakea Prison, only 42% of booked social visits were actually going ahead. The Inspector stated these failures “undermine prisoners’ emotional wellbeing and breach their fundamental rights to family and community connection.”
In NSW, inspection reports and legal commentary have noted similar patterns over the years, with visits described as “short and often cancelled at the last moment, sometimes on the slimmest of pretexts.” However, we are not aware of any current formal investigation into the specific situation at MRRC Silverwater.
Read our successful Civil and Criminal Case Studies.
What Can Be Done About Prison Visit Cancellations at Silverwater?
If you or a family member has experienced repeated visit cancellations at MRRC or another NSW correctional centre, there are steps you can take:
- Document everything: Keep records of booking confirmations, cancellation notices, and any reasons provided.
- Lodge a complaint with the correctional centre: Start by raising the issue with management at the facility.
- Escalate to the Commissioner: If the issue isn’t resolved, you can write to: The Commissioner, Corrective Services NSW, GPO Box 31, Sydney NSW 2001
- Contact the NSW Ombudsman: The Ombudsman can investigate complaints about unfair treatment by Corrective Services. Families can make complaints if they feel badly treated when visiting a centre.
- Seek legal advice: If you believe your rights or the rights of your loved one are being violated, speak with a criminal lawyer who understands the correctional system.
We Want to Hear From You
If you’ve experienced similar issues at Silverwater or any other NSW correctional facility, we encourage you to share your experience. The more we understand about the scope of this problem, the better positioned we are to advocate for change.
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Disclaimer: The accounts in this article represent the personal experiences of a limited number of families and have been provided by a prisoner advocate. These claims have not been independently verified or investigated by any regulatory body. While systemic issues with prison visit cancellations have been documented elsewhere in Australia, most notably in Western Australia, we are not aware of any current formal inquiry or published report specific to visit cancellations at MRRC Silverwater.
Nicole Byrne
Content Creator | Media Coordinator
O'Brien Criminal & Civil Solicitors
