All prisoners undergo reception and assessment before being placed in a prison unit appropriate to the prison and the prisoner's needs. Generally, all sentenced prisoners are expected to work and are encouraged to participate in vocational education and training programs as well as rehabilitation programs.

Prisoners are permitted to receive visits from and make telephone calls to nominated family, friends and legal representatives as well as to send and receive mail. Some personal property can be kept in cells and a limited amount of money can be kept in the prisoner’s 'personal monies' account.

Prison programs and regulations vary from prison to prison. Find information about a specific prison.