I'm going to visit my son for the first time at Nanaimo Correctional Centre in BC. Whe previously would visit throught the glass over little phones at VIRCC. What will the difference be? They told me it was an "open" visit...what does that entail?
Thanks for any help
Mommaj

So the next person who goes knows. They bring you in through the gates by buzzing you in. You put your things in locker like anywhere else. You can take the person you are visiting magazines, pictures and some other things as well, the guards will scan them.
They take you in for a pat down and swab your cards and shoes.
Take lots of money in with you as during your visit you can take your loved one to the consession room. You have to handle the money the whole time but you can put bills or coins in the vending machines and buy them as much chips, chocolates, drinks and cigarettes (that are not on the canteen list) as you want. They will put everything you don't eat at the visit in a marked bag and give it to them after the visit. If I had known I would have taken way more cash in. You are allowed to hug at the beginning and end of each visit which was awesome. Hope this helps someone.