Justizvollzugsanstalt Dortmund:  Visitor Information

According to the Penal Act and the Remand Act, prisoners have the right to meet with persons who are living outside the prison. In compliance with the regulations, the following visiting possibilities have been created for prisoners and persons remanded in custody.

Service number for making an appointment:

Please contact the prison by telephone to make an appointment for a visit. Please note that German is spoken at the service number. It is therefore advisable to ask acquaintances who speak the German language for assistance in making an appointment.
Telephone times:
Monday from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. (however, Friday until 2:00 p.m.)

Telephone number: 0231 5777-143
You will then be given a date and time for the visit in consultation with the prison.

General rules for visitors

When entering the prison, please have your identification at hand (identity card or passport)! When entering the prison, please have your identification at hand (identity card or passport)! It is absolutely necessary to appear on time to make a visit! Depending on the type of imprisonment, a specific number of visitors are allowed for a visit. Therefore, observe the regulations on the number of visitors for prison sentence and remand in custody further down on this page. Every person entering a prison must be checked! You will be passing a walk-through security screening! Make sure to follow the instructions of the prison staff.

Persons with pacemakers should report before the security check!

You can generally bring 25 euros to a regular visit (2 x monthly/60 min.). The 25 euros must be suitable for vending machines (10 cents / 20 cents / 50 cents / €1 / €2 / €5 / €10). Cash for prisoner’s accounts will not be accepted. You can get remittance slips at the entrance. Our bank details can be found further down on this page.

Information on vending machine purchases as of 1 May 2024

Dear visitor,

Purchase from vending machines will be subject to new regulations as of 1 May 2024. From this date, you can purchase beverages, sweets and tobacco worth €25.00 from the vending machines during each regular visit. You will do the purchase yourself before visiting. We recommend to arrive at the prison 15 minutes before your visit starts, as shopping takes time. For organisational reasons, any delay in using the vending machines cannot be offset against the visiting time. Please find out in due time what your relative prefers.
You can select the products you would like to consume (except for tobaccos) during the visit. Opened packaging or opened beverages may not be taken into the prison cells. Only €10 and €5 notes, as well as €2, €1, 50, 20 and 10 cent coins can be used for purchases at the vending machines. Change is not available and card payments are not possible. The Dortmund prison accepts no liability for defects of the machines.

Your Visitor Department

Regulations for visiting sentenced prisoners

Visiting permits for sentenced prisoners will be issued by the prison.

Sentenced prisoners are obliged to wear prison clothing. Therefore, you cannot bring them any clothing. If there is an exception (e.g. sportswear), please discuss this with the prison staff at the next visit.

Regulations on the number of visitors

Sentenced prisoners may be visited by two adults without children or one adult with several children.

Regulations for visiting persons remanded in custody

Persons remanded in custody are allowed to wear private clothing in prison, provided that regular cleaning is ensured. In general, permission to visit persons remanded in custody is also granted by the prison.

Please note:

If the court has ordered in the context of remand in custody that visits require permission, persons remanded in custody or their relatives or other visitors shall contact the competent court or the respective public prosecutor’s office. You can contact the appointments office in person or by telephone only after you have received permission to visit. Also observe the instructions on the visiting permit, if applicable.

Regulations on the number of visitors:

Persons remanded in custody may be visited by two adults without children or one adult with several children.

Bank details of the Dortmund prison

Important information:

On the bank transfer form, please be sure to indicate the first and last name, the date of birth and, if known, the book number of the prisoner (prisoner’s number). Please note that instant payment orders cannot be processed.