The Association was formed in 1924, but traces its origins back to 1901, when prison visiting was first officially recognised.
[1] The NAOPV is often approached by the media for information on prison visiting matters and has several times been asked to testify to a House of Commons Committee.
[1] The NAOPV sees Branches as strengthening the application and independence of OPVs by giving them group identity.
Gradually Lady Visitors began to visit adult male prisoners too, although for many years this was without official sanction.
[1] This organisation was at first for men only, but in 1944 the two single sex groups amalgamated and kept the name of the National Association of Prison Visitors.
[5] In 2003 the Association became a registered charity and changed its name to the present "National Association of Official Prison Visitors" (NAOPV), and at the present time promotes and encourages visiting by several hundred Official Prison Visitors in English and Welsh penal establishments.