Upgrades at Launceston Reception Prison prevent lawyers from face-to-face client access

A Justice Department spokesman said the upgrades were designed to accommodate non-contact and contact visits, including adding video conferencing facilities.

"The Tasmania Prison Service has been communicating to lawyers since March 3 that the upgrades will impact visits and that alternative arrangements will need to be put in place when lawyers contact clients during this period," the spokesman said.

Construction recommenced this week after halting in March because asbestos was found.

Tasmanian Law Society president Evan Hughes said letters were sent to practitioners about the disruption.

"Unfortunately, because of the nature of those works, it is preventing physical contact between legal representatives and their clients in the reception facilities," he said.

The society is working with the prison and the courts to ensure access to clients can be achieved.

"It is fundamentally important that lawyers have access to their clients, but the renovations being undertaken are to improve an aging and not-fit-for-purpose facility," Mr Hughes said.

Remandees have access to telephones and can communicate with lawyers through this method, but Mr Hughes said someone in lock-up or the latch is a different status in the jail so access to phones is difficult.

The society is looking into whether videolink technology at the courts and Staffordshire House can be used while the prison is under construction.

"We work collaboratively with the jail to try to resolve these issues and we've always found the prison very receptive of that," Mr Hughes said.

The upgrades are expected to be completed in six weeks.