There are two situations:
1. Family members are not allowed to meet people who have just been detained on suspicion of a crime, but have not been sentenced or transferred to prison after being sentenced. Only lawyers can see them.
2. If the sentenced defendant or criminal suspect is still detained in the detention center after serving his sentence, his immediate family members may meet with him at the time specified by the detention center.
The procedure for applying to visit the detention center is as follows:
1. Generally speaking, if the prison has no visiting period or wants to visit the prison during the non-visiting period, you can submit a visiting application to your prison or detention center;
2. After the prison agrees, arrange the visiting time in consultation with the prison;
3. Visiting prisoners.
To sum up, for suspects, visits are generally not allowed. For convicted prisoners, because the judgment has come into effect, the visit will not have any impact on the case, so family members can apply for a visit.
Legal basis:
Article 39 of the Criminal Procedure Law of People's Republic of China (PRC)
Defenders' right to meet and communicate. Defense lawyers can meet and communicate with criminal suspects and defendants in custody. Other defenders, with the permission of the people's courts and people's procuratorates, may also meet and correspond with criminal suspects and defendants in custody.
Article 48 of People's Republic of China (PRC) Prison Law
While serving a sentence, a prisoner may meet with his relatives and guardians in accordance with the regulations.
Forty-fifth measures for the administration of criminals who execute punishments in detention centers
Criminals can meet their relatives or guardians once or twice a month, each time for no more than one hour. Only three people come to see the criminal at a time. Due to special circumstances, it is necessary to extend the meeting time and increase the number of people to meet, or people other than their relatives or guardians request to meet, which shall be approved by the leaders of the detention center.
Article 46
When a criminal meets an entrusted lawyer, the lawyer shall apply to the detention center, and the detention center shall examine the power of attorney, the letter of introduction from the law firm and the lawyer's practice license, and make arrangements within 48 hours.