Circular No. 07/2018/TT-BCA on inmates meeting relatives; receiving and sending letters; receiving money and items and making telephone calls with relatives

CIRCULAR

Regulations on inmates meeting relatives; receiving, sending letters; receiving money,
items, and making telephone calls with relatives

Based on the Criminal Enforcement Law 2010;

Pursuant to Decree No. 106/2014/NĐ-CP dated November 17, 2014, of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Public Security;

Considering the proposal of the Director General of the Criminal Enforcement Bureau and Legal Reform Department's Report No., amended and supplemented by Decree No. 109/2025/NĐ-CP and Decree No. 193/2025/NĐ-CP155 dated January 31, 2018;No. The Ministry of Public Security issues this Circular

AND organize credit institutions, foreign bank branches are responsible for organizing the implementation of this Circular.of this Decree shall take effect from January 1, 2026.”inprescribing regulations on inmates meeting relatives; receiving, sending letters; receiving money, items from relatives, organizations, or individuals, and making telephone calls with relatives.uThis Circular prescribes the regulations for inmates serving custodial sentences at prisons, detention centers, or temporary holding facilities (hereinafter referred to collectively as detention facilities) meeting relatives; receiving, sending letters; receiving money, items from relatives, organizations, or individuals, and making telephone calls with relatives. lThis Circular applies to inmates serving custodial sentences at detention facilities and relevant agencies, organizations, or individuals. It does not apply to diplomatic visits or consular meetings with foreign inmates.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

REGULATIONS ON INMATES MEETING RELATIVES

Article 2. Applicability

1. Inmates may meet relatives according to Clause 1, Article 46 of the Criminal Enforcement Law, except when they are under disciplinary action as stipulated in Point c, Clause 1, Article 38 of the Criminal Enforcement Law and are not allowed to meet relatives. Inmates who comply well with the detention facility's internal rules; actively study, work, or exercise their rights and fulfill their obligations as prescribed by law may have their visitation time extended but not exceeding 3 (three) hours. Inmates under 18 (eighteen) years old may meet relatives according to Article 53 of the Criminal Enforcement Law.

Chapter II

2. The prison warden, detention center director, or head of the criminal enforcement agency at the district level must organize for inmates to meet relatives every day of the week, including holidays and public holidays. The time for organizing inmate visits is determined by the prison warden, detention center director, or head of the criminal enforcement agency at the district level based on the working hours of the unit.

Article 3. Meeting relatives regime

3. When inmates' visitation time is extended up to 3 (three) hours, or when they meet their spouse in a private room for up to 24 (twenty-four) hours, based on specific conditions, the prison warden, detention center director, or head of the criminal enforcement agency at the district level may consider and decide to allow inmates to eat meals together with relatives in the cafeteria during the visitation period for 60 minutes (each meal not exceeding 3 [three] people). Additionally, when organizing family conferences for inmates; or in special cases where educational work requires the cooperation and influence of the family to educate the inmate; or when inmates have been classified as Excellent for two consecutive quarters at the time of review or have performed meritorious acts, the prison warden, detention center director, or head of the criminal enforcement agency at the district level may consider and decide to allow inmates to eat meals together with relatives. The organization of meals for inmates to eat with relatives must be strictly monitored to ensure absolute safety of the detention facility, strict management of inmates, food safety, and safety for the relatives of inmates.

1. Persons eligible to visit inmates include: paternal grandparents; maternal grandparents; biological father and mother; father-in-law and mother-in-law; legally adopted father and mother; spouse; biological children, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, legally adopted children; full siblings, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law; aunts, uncles, cousins; nieces, nephews. Each visit may involve a maximum of 3 (three) persons.

2. Individuals, representatives of organizations, or other relatives outside those specified in Clause 1 of this Article may visit inmates if the prison warden, detention center director, or head of the criminal enforcement agency at the district level considers it appropriate for the legitimate interests of the inmate and necessary for crime prevention, management, and rehabilitation of the inmate.

Article 4. Persons eligible to visit inmates

1. Relatives visiting inmates must be listed in the Visit Book (for first-time visitors without a Visit Book or not listed in the Visit Book, they must submit a visit request form confirmed by the People's Committee or Police Station of the place of residence or the workplace/school). For individuals specified in Clause 2, Article 4 of this Circular, when visiting inmates, they must submit a written request (the request must be confirmed by the workplace/school or local authority of the place of residence), and must present one of the following documents (except for those under 14 years old): Identity card or Citizen Identification Card; Passport; proof of being a member of the armed forces if applicable. If the visitor does not have identification, they must submit a request form with a photo confirmed by the People's Committee or Police Station of the place of residence or the workplace/school, stamped on the form and on the photo.

2. Spouses of inmates who meet the conditions to visit in a private room according to Clause 1, Article 46 of the Criminal Enforcement Law must provide a marriage certificate; before the visit, they must declare personal belongings for inspection by responsible staff; if items are not allowed, they must be stored in a locker at the visitation house; they must sign a commitment to strictly follow the Visitation House Rules, manage and supervise the inmate during the visit to prevent them from violating laws or detention facility rules, and take measures to prevent infectious diseases. Female inmates meeting their spouses in a private room must comply with current population control and family planning laws and use contraception methods with a commitment not to become pregnant to ensure the completion of their sentence.

Article 5. Procedures for visiting inmates

1. Relatives visiting inmates must be named in the Visit Book (in cases where the first visit has not yet resulted in a Visit Book or their name is not listed therein, they must have a request for visitation confirmed by the People's Committee or Public Security Office of the commune where they reside or the agency or organization where they work or study). The subjects specified in Clause 2, Article 4 of this Circular, when meeting with inmates, must submit a written request (for individuals, the request must be confirmed by the agency or organization where they work or study or the local authority where they reside), and must also present one of the following documents (except for those under 14 years old): Identity card or Citizen Identification Card; Passport; proof of being an officer, soldier, worker, or staff member if they belong to the armed forces. In cases where visitors do not have identification documents, they must have a request form with a photograph attached, confirmed by the People's Committee or Public Security Office of the commune where they reside or the agency or organization where they work or study, stamped on the form and the photograph.

2. Relatives who are spouses of inmates and meet the conditions to visit at a private room as stipulated in Clause 1, Article 46 of the Criminal Execution Law must provide a marriage registration certificate; before visiting, they must declare personal belongings for inspection by responsible officials, and items not allowed must be stored in lockers at the visitation house; they must write a commitment to strictly adhere to the House Visitation Regulations, be responsible for managing and supervising the inmate during the visitation period, prevent the inmate from violating laws, regulations of the detention facility, and implement measures to prevent infectious diseases. Female inmates meeting their spouse in a private room must commit to complying with current population control and family planning laws. Female inmates must use contraception and provide a commitment not to become pregnant to ensure the completion of the prison sentence.

3. When communicating, the visitor and the prisoner must use the Vietnamese language; in cases where the visitor is from an ethnic minority group or is a foreigner who does not know Vietnamese, they may use another language. Persons with hearing or speech disabilities may use sign language or communication-assisting devices, but such devices must be inspected by responsible staff before use.

4. The detention facility shall issue a Visit Book for prisoners according to a unified model established by the General Bureau of Criminal Enforcement and Judicial Assistance. The Visit Book must be signed and stamped by the Warden of the prison, the Warden of the pre-trial detention center, or the Head of the Criminal Enforcement Agency of the Public Security Office at the district level, and must be confirmed by the People's Committee of the commune or village where the visitor resides, or by the organization or institution where the visitor works or studies, regarding the list of visitors who are relatives of the prisoner.

5. The procedures for visiting foreign prisoners shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Clause 5, Article 46 of the Criminal Enforcement Law.

Article 6. Responsibilities of relatives and prisoners during visits

1. Relatives, individuals, and representatives of agencies or organizations visiting prisoners must strictly comply with the law, the Rules of the Visiting House, and follow the guidance of staff organizing visits and other responsible staff. If sending items to prisoners, they must declare a list of items and commit to bear legal responsibility for sending items that do not comply with regulations. It is prohibited to bring into the visiting house items such as weapons, explosives, tools for support, narcotics, toxic substances, flammable materials, radioactive materials, chemicals, poisons, drugs containing addictive components, alcohol, beer, and other stimulants; metal objects and items that can be used as weapons; technical and electronic equipment; publications that have a negative impact on the management and education of prisoners; and other items that may cause safety risks, harm to the prisoner or others, or negatively affect the environment.

2. During visits, prisoners must wear neat and clean clothing provided by the facility (in cases where new prisoners have not yet received clothing, they may wear regular long pants, but must be marked according to the Rules of the detention facility); strictly comply with the Rules of the detention facility, the Rules of the Visiting House, and follow the guidance of staff organizing visits.

Article 7. Standards and Responsibilities of Staff Organizing Visits

1. Staff organizing visits must be professional officers with appropriate qualifications, experience, and management skills, capable of supervising prisoners. The assignment of staff organizing visits must be decided by the Warden of the prison, the Warden of the pre-trial detention center, or the Head of the Criminal Enforcement Agency of the Public Security Office at the district level, and each person assigned to this role shall not exceed three years.

2. Staff organizing visits are responsible for: Receiving and checking the documents of visitors; preparing a list of prisoners to be visited, which must be reviewed and approved by the Warden of the prison, the Warden of the pre-trial detention center, or the Head of the Criminal Enforcement Agency of the Public Security Office at the district level before the visit; proposing in writing, with the opinion of the Prison Warder, the Detective Officer, and the Education Officer, to extend the visit time, meet with spouse in a private room for up to twenty-four hours, subject to approval by the Warden of the prison, the Warden of the pre-trial detention center, or the Head of the Criminal Enforcement Agency of the Public Security Office at the district level; receiving and inspecting money and items brought by relatives for the prisoner; inspecting items for relatives meeting prisoners in the visiting house and private meeting rooms, and if prohibited items are found, they must be seized, stored, and handled according to regulations; managing and supervising prisoners from the start of the visit until its conclusion and handing over to the duty staff, signing the Prisoner Entry and Exit Register; updating complete information about the visit organization process and managing and storing documents in accordance with the file management system of the Ministry of Public Security.

3. They shall not use prisoners or others to handle visit documents or procedures instead of staff; they shall not exhibit negative attitudes or behaviors causing inconvenience in organizing visits; they shall not arbitrarily arrange visits or allow prisoners to meet relatives, receive or send letters, or receive money or items outside the visiting house or designated areas for prisoner visits; they shall not arbitrarily accept, transfer letters, money, or items to prisoners; they shall not collect any fees when handling visits, including those conducted in private rooms within the visiting house.

Article 8. Visiting Room for Prisoners

1. Each section of the prison or pre-trial detention center shall have a visiting house for prisoners built according to a design model established by the Ministry of Public Security, located in a convenient place for managing, supervising prisoners, and organizing visits. The visiting house must be equipped with necessary facilities and equipment to serve the needs of visitors during visits and their stay. For temporary holding facilities, depending on specific conditions, the Head of the Criminal Enforcement Agency of the Public Security Office at the district level shall arrange suitable locations for visits.

2. The visiting house must display a sign "Visiting House," provide lockers for visitors' personal belongings, have suggestion boxes, the Rules of the Visiting House, and a list of prohibited items to be brought into the prison for relatives and prisoners to follow, report, and make suggestions.

Chapter III

REGULATIONS ON PRISONERS RECEIVING AND SENDING LETTERS;
RECEIVING ITEMS, USING MEDICATION

Article 9. Provisions on prisoners receiving and sending letters and receiving objects

1. When meeting persons specified in Clause 1 and Clause 2, Article 4 of this Circular, prisoners may receive letters and objects according to the provisions of Clause 2, Article 46 of the Criminal Execution Law, but not exceeding a maximum of 5 (five) kilograms of objects in one meeting. In addition, each month, prisoners may receive objects brought by relatives (persons specified in Clause 1, Article 4) or sent through the Post Office 2 (two) times according to the provisions of Clause 3, Article 46 of the Criminal Execution Law, with each time not exceeding 3 (three) kilograms (if sent once, it shall not exceed 6 kilograms). If a prisoner refuses to meet visitors, the staff organizing visits shall record this in a report and inform the prisoner's relatives. If a prisoner refuses to accept objects sent through the Post Office, a report must be made and the sender notified to come and collect them. Within 15 days from the date of notification, if no one comes to collect the items, a report shall be made and the items destroyed in the presence of the prisoner who was supposed to receive them. Letters and objects of prisoners must be thoroughly inspected before being brought into detention facilities; if prohibited objects are found, they must be handled according to regulations.

2. Prisoners may send letters and telegrams according to the provisions of Clause 1, Article 47 of the Criminal Execution Law.

3. Prisoners who frequently violate the internal rules of detention facilities and those currently under disciplinary measures may have their receipt and sending of letters and objects restricted for a period not exceeding 3 (three) months, depending on the nature and severity of the violation. The detention facility is responsible for informing the prisoner's relatives about the restriction on receipt and sending of letters and objects so that they can comply.

4. The Warden of the prison, the Warden of the temporary detention center, and the Head of the criminal execution agency of the Public Security Department at the district level are responsible for guiding prisoners to notify their relatives of the address where they are serving their sentences (team, squad, sub-prison) and the list of prohibited objects so that relatives can send letters and objects accordingly.

5. Based on specific conditions, detention facilities organize canteen activities to sell food, essential goods, and other necessities to prisoners. The prices of food, essential goods, and other commodities must be approved by the Warden of the prison, the Warden of the temporary detention center, and the Head of the criminal execution agency of the Public Security Department at the district level, after deducting reasonable costs, and must not be higher than the retail prices in the locality. The General Bureau of Criminal Enforcement and Judicial Assistance shall specify the organization of canteen activities in detention facilities.

Article 10. Provisions on prisoners receiving and using medicines for treatment

1. Relatives of prisoners may send medicines and health supplements to prisoners according to the prescription of doctors or medical personnel at the detention facility or at state medical examination and treatment facilities where the prisoners are undergoing treatment. Medicines sent by relatives to prisoners must have labels clearly indicating the dosage, function, place of production, and expiration date.

2. All types of medicines and health supplements sent by relatives to prisoners must be recorded in a logbook and stored separately. Medical staff of the detention facility are responsible for inspecting and managing these items. When prisoners fall ill and need to use medicine, medical staff will issue medicine based on the illness and treatment plan, provide guidance, and supervise the prisoner's use. Each prisoner's medicine must be recorded in the medical records and logbook as "Medicine sent by relatives." Prisoners receiving and using medicine must sign or affix their fingerprints (if they cannot write) on the medical records or logbook. Expired medicines must be destroyed with a report made, witnessed, and confirmed by the prisoner's signature or fingerprint.

3. When prisoners complete their sentences or are transferred elsewhere, medical staff must check and return unused medicines to the prisoners or hand over the medicines along with the prisoner's health file to the receiving unit.

Chapter IV

PROVISIONS ON THE MANAGEMENT OF DEPOSITED ITEMS; RECEIVING AND USING
DEPOSITED MONEY AND ORGANIZING TELEPHONE CONTACTS BETWEEN
 PRISONERS AND RELATIVES

Article 11. Provisions on the management of cash and valuables deposits

When arriving at the detention facility to serve their sentences, offenders who have State Bank of Vietnam cash, banknotes, foreign currency, gold and silver, watches, precious jewelry, personal belongings, or other valuable items must record and seal them for deposit (cash deposited can be used by the offender). The detention facility will manage these items, and the offenders will be able to retrieve them upon completion of their sentence. If offenders wish to transfer money, goods, or personal belongings to their relatives or legal representatives, the detention facility is responsible for recording and directly delivering these items to the relatives or sending them through the Post Office, with postage paid by the offender. Records of receiving or returning cash and valuables deposits must accurately describe the quantity, weight, type, shape, size, color, and other characteristics of the items.

Article 12. Provisions on the receipt and use of cash deposits by offenders

1. When visitors bring cash to deposit for offenders, the staff organizing visits shall be responsible for receiving it and signing the deposit slip together with the depositor. If relatives send money to offenders via the Post Office, the Warden of the prison, the Warden of the temporary detention center, or the Head of the Criminal Enforcement Agency of the county-level Public Security Department shall dispatch staff to the Post Office to collect the money, then hand it over to the Financial and Logistics Team for management. The staff responsible for deposits shall record this in the tracking ledger, notify the offender, and enter the amount into the purchase ledger for the offender's signature and acknowledgment. Offenders are not allowed to keep or use cash within the detention facility.

2. Offenders frequently violating the rules of the detention facility may be isolated, and those currently under disciplinary measures may have their purchases from the cafeteria limited multiple times, but not more than 3 (three) months each time, depending on the nature and severity of the violation.

3. Bonuses, overtime pay, and increased productivity rewards shall be transferred into deposits for offenders to use for purchasing goods from the cafeteria, sending telegrams, making telephone calls with relatives, sending money back to relatives, or retrieving it upon completion of their sentence.

4. The monthly quantity of food and beverages purchased by each offender must comply with Clause 2 of Article 42 of the Law on Execution of Criminal Sentences. Money spent on essential goods (excluding food, beverages, and drinks) such as toothpaste, soap, clothing, paper, pens... does not count towards the additional food and beverage purchase allowance for offenders.

5. When offenders with deposited money and items move to another detention facility, staff must transfer these funds and items to the receiving facility. The transfer must be recorded in a document signed by both parties and the offender.

6. In cases where offenders die, the remaining unused cash deposits, deposited items, and other personal assets must be clearly noted in the death record and handed over to their relatives or handled according to legal regulations.

Article 13. Provisions on inmates contacting relatives by telephone

1. Detention facilities shall cooperate with local postal and telecommunications authorities to install landline telephones and organize for inmates to contact their relatives by telephone. The cost of telephone calls shall be calculated according to the price set by the postal and telecommunications authority and paid by the inmate from the deposited funds through a bookkeeping system.

2. Inmates may contact their relatives within the country by telephone in accordance with Clause 2, Article 47 of the Criminal Execution Law. Inmates who strictly comply with the detention facility's internal regulations and have good performance in labor and study shall be granted an additional one telephone contact with their relatives each month. Inmates under 18 years old may contact their relatives by telephone in accordance with Article 53 of the Criminal Execution Law. When contacting relatives by telephone, inmates must make calls to the registered phone number and discuss the registered content; they must use the Vietnamese language, except for inmates who are ethnic minorities or foreigners who do not know Vietnamese. If an inmate requests to communicate with their relatives to resolve issues related to their rights and legitimate interests, such communication may take place according to the registered content.

3. Inmates who frequently violate the internal regulations of the detention facility shall be isolated; inmates currently undergoing disciplinary measures shall have their telephone contacts with relatives restricted, depending on the nature and severity of the violation, by the Prison Director, Detention Center Director, or Head of the Criminal Enforcement Agency of the Public Security Department at the district level, but not exceeding three months.

4. Inmates who are appealing or protesting against judgments through cassation or revision procedures, or who are under investigation, prosecution, or trial for other criminal acts or cases, shall not be allowed to contact their relatives by telephone.

5. The Prison Director, Detention Center Director, or Head of the Criminal Enforcement Agency of the Public Security Department at the district level shall arrange a monitored telephone booth and assign staff to closely monitor the content of inmates' conversations with their relatives. If the conversation content does not match the registration, the call must be terminated; if necessary, a record shall be made and disciplinary action proposed.

6. Monitoring staff must maintain a logbook to update information on organizing telephone contacts between inmates and their relatives.

Chapter V

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 14. Effective Date

This Circular takes effect from March 29, 2018, and replaces Circular No. 46/2011/TT-BCA dated June 30, 2011, issued by the Minister of Public Security regarding inmates meeting relatives; receiving and sending letters; receiving money and gifts; and contacting relatives by telephone.

Article 15. Responsibility for Implementation

1. The Director of the General Bureau of Criminal Enforcement and Legal Aid shall be responsible for issuing the Visit Logbook, the Purchased Goods Logbook of Inmates, and other necessary forms to ensure uniform implementation nationwide; monitoring, guiding, and inspecting the implementation of this Circular.

2. Directors of units directly under the Minister, Heads of provincial and municipal public security departments, fire prevention and firefighting directors, prison directors, detention center directors, heads of criminal enforcement agencies at the district level, and relevant organizations and individuals within their jurisdiction, functions, duties, and powers shall be responsible for organizing the implementation of this Circular.

3. During the implementation process, if there are difficulties or obstacles, units shall promptly report in writing to the Ministry of Public Security (through the General Bureau of Criminal Enforcement and Legal Aid) for timely guidance.