Miscellaneous
F1F241ZBExceptions as to communication devices
(1)
No offence—
(a)
under section 41, where the proscribed article falls within paragraph (a) of subsection (9A) (whether or not also within paragraph (f) of that subsection), or
(b)
under section 41ZA(1) to (3),
is committed by a person where subsection (2) applies.
(2)
This subsection applies—
(a)
if (and in so far as) the act which constitutes the offence is done by the person at or in relation to a designated area at the prison, or
(b)
if (and in so far as) the person is acting in circumstances to which an authorisation under subsection (8) applies.
(3)
No offence—
(a)
under section 41, where the proscribed article falls within paragraph (a) of subsection (9A) (whether or not also within paragraph (f) of that subsection), or
(b)
under section 41ZA(2) or (3),
is committed by a prison officer (or other prison official) where subsection (4) applies.
(4)
This subsection applies—
(a)
if the device is one supplied to the person specifically for use in the course of the person's official duties at the prison, or
(b)
if (and in so far as) the person is acting in accordance with those duties.
(5)
No offence under section 41ZA(3) is committed by a person other than a prisoner if in the circumstances there is a reasonable excuse for the possession.
(6)
The defences mentioned in subsection (7) apply in any proceedings for an offence under—
(a)
section 41(1), where the proscribed article falls within paragraph (a) of subsection (9A) (whether or not also within paragraph (f) of that subsection), or
(b)
section 41ZA(1) to (3).
(7)
In relation to such an offence, it is a defence for the accused person to show that—
(a)
the person reasonably believed that the person was acting in circumstances to which an authorisation under subsection (8) applied (even though no such authorisation did apply), or
(b)
in the circumstances there was an overriding public interest which justified the person's actions.
(8)
An authorisation under this subsection is a written authorisation that is given—
(a)
in favour of any person specified in the authorisation (or person of a specified description),
(b)
for a specified purpose, and
(c)
by—
(i)
the governor or director of a prison in relation to activities at that prison, or
(ii)
the Scottish Ministers in relation to activities at any specified prison.
(9)
A designated area referred to in subsection (2)(a) is any part of the prison, used solely or principally for an administrative or similar purpose, that is specified as such by a written designation given under this paragraph by the governor or director of the prison.
(10)
Prison officers (or other prison officials) who are Crown servants or agents do not benefit from Crown immunity in relation to an offence under—
(a)
section 41, where the proscribed article falls within paragraph (a) of subsection (9A) of that section (whether or not also within paragraph (f) of that subsection), or
(b)
section 41ZA.