Criminal Justice Act 1991

86 Powers and duties of prisoner custody officers employed at contracted out prisons

(1) A prisoner custody officer performing custodial duties at a contracted out prison shall have the following powers, namely—

(a) to search in accordance with prison rules any prisoner who is confined in the prison; and

(b) to search any other person who is in or is seeking to enter the prison, and any article in the possession of such a person.

(2) The powers conferred by subsection (1)(b) above to search a person shall not be construed as authorising a prisoner custody officer to require a person to remove any of his clothing other than an outer coat, jacket or gloves.

(3) A prisoner custody officer performing custodial duties at a contracted out prison shall have the following duties as respects prisoners confined in the prison, namely—

(a) to prevent their escape from lawful custody;

(b) to prevent, or detect and report on, the commission or attempted commission by them of other unlawful acts;

(c) to ensure good order and discipline on their part; and

(d) to attend to their wellbeing.

(4) The powers conferred by subsection (1) above, and the powers arising by virtue of subsection (3) above, shall include power to use reasonable force where necessary.