Haven't regularly visited one in 20 years, but back then, prisoners could have about 8 people on their visitors list. They had to be named and ID had to be submitted 2 weeks prior to a visit. If they wanted to add anyone, someone would have to drop off. Same with phone calls.
At some prisons like Port Phillip and the MAP (Melbourne Assessment Prison/Old remand centre) you could visit without being on the list, or if the prisoner had just gone in and the list wasn't processed yet, but it was a booth behind glass, like you see in the movies. So at the moment his family would be seeing him from behinf glass with a phone linked.
Once assessed and processed, visitors could come on Saturday and Sunday for I think up to 4 hours.
There are canteens in the visiting areas, so most have lunch with family.
If there was an emergency, like a death in a family, you can contact the prison to get a midweek visit.
Certain people are allowed to visit outside of this. For example, when Jeff Kennett was premier he would go up mid-week and visit his criminal mates, and he would organise them to get privileges other prisoners did not have.
If it is still like it was back then, Tom will spend a couple of weeks at The MAP while they work out his classification. They will assess the level of danger to him and to others, and then transfer him. Might go to Port Phillip, but as a high-profile rapist, he will most likely end up with the dregs in Ararat, unless he asks to be put in mainstream, but that seems unlikely for this entitled little prick.
