Central administration
1 General control over prisons.
All powers and jurisdiction in relation to prisons and prisoners which before the commencement of the M1Prison Act 1877 were exercisable by any other authority shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, be exercisable by the Secretary of State.
2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F1
3X1Officers and servants of Prison Commissioners.
1
2
4X2General duties of Prison Commissioners.
1
F5The Secretary of State shall have the general superintendence of prisons and shall make the contracts and do the other acts necessary for the maintenance of prisons and the maintenance of prisoners.
2
F5Officers of the Secretary of State duly authorised in that behalf, shall visit all prisons and examine the state of buildings, the conduct of officers, the treatment and conduct of prisoners and all other matters concerning the management of prisons and shall ensure that the provisions of this Act and of any rules made under this Act are duly complied with.
3
F5The Secretary of State and his officers may exercise all powers and jurisdiction exercisable at common law, by Act of Parliament, or by charter by visiting justices of a prison.
5X3Annual report of Prison Commissioners.
F61
The Secretary of State shall issue an annual report on every prison and shall lay every such report before Parliament.
2
The report shall contain—
a
a statement of the accommodation of each prison and the daily average and highest number of prisoners confined therein;
b
such particulars of the work done by prisoners in each prison, including the kind and quantities of articles produced and the number of prisoners employed, as may in the opinion of the Secretary of State give the best information to Parliament;
c
a statement of the punishments inflicted in each prison and of the offences for which they were inflicted, . . . F7
F85A Appointment and functions of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons.
1
Her Majesty may appoint a person to be Chief Inspector of Prisons.
2
It shall be the duty of the Chief Inspector to inspect or arrange for the inspection of prisons in England and Wales and to report to the Secretary of State on them.
3
The Chief Inspector shall in particular report to the Secretary of State on the treatment of prisoners and conditions in prisons.
4
The Secretary of State may refer specific matters connected with prisons in England and Wales and prisoners in them to the Chief Inspector and direct him to report on them.
5
The Chief Inspector shall in each year submit to the Secretary of State a report in such form as the Secretary of State may direct, and the Secretary of State shall lay a copy of that report before Parliament.
F865A
Subsections (2) to (5) shall apply—
a
in relation to removal centres within the meaning of section 147 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 (c. 33),
b
in relation to short-term holding facilities within the meaning of that section, F130...
F131ba
in relation to pre-departure accommodation within the meaning of that section, and
c
in relation to escort arrangements within the meaning of that section.
F865B
In their application by virtue of subsection (5A) subsections (2) to (5)—
a
shall apply to centres, facilities F132, accommodation and arrangements anywhere in the United Kingdom, and
b
shall have effect—
i
as if a reference to prisons were a reference to removal centres, short-term holding facilities F133, pre-departure accommodation and escort arrangements,
ii
as if a reference to prisoners were a reference to detained persons and persons to whom escort arrangements apply, and
iii
with any other necessary modifications.
F1265C
The Chief Inspector shall also inspect or arrange for the inspection of—
a
areas of the Crown Court, county courts and magistrates’ courts where prisoners are detained in custody; and
b
any vehicle used to transport prisoners in custody to and from the Crown Court, county courts or magistrates’ courts,
and shall report to the Secretary of State on them.
6
The Chief Inspector shall be paid such salary and allowances as the Secretary of State may with the consent of the Treasury determine.
F887
Schedule A1 to this Act (which makes further provision about the Chief Inspector) has effect.
Visiting committees and boards of visitors
6X4F94Independent monitoring boards
1
F9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
C12
F952A
The groups so appointed are to be known as independent monitoring boards.
3
Rules made as aforesaid shall prescribe the functions of . . . F10F98independent monitoring boards and shall among other things require members to pay frequent visits to the prison and hear any complaints which may be made by the prisoners and report to the Secretary of State any matter which they consider it expedient to report; and any member of F10F98an independent monitoring board may at any time enter the prison and shall have free access to every part of it and to every prisoner.
4
F9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Prison officers
7 Prison officers.
C21
Every prison shall have a governor, a chaplain F99... and such other officers as may be necessary.
2
Every prison in which women are received shall have a sufficient number of women officers; . . . F11
3
A prison which in the opinion of the Secretary of State is large enough to require it may have a deputy governor or an assistant chaplain or both.
4
The chaplain and any assistant chaplain shall be a clergyman of the Church of England F100... .
5
F12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
C3C438 Powers of prison officers.
Every prison officer while acting as such shall have all the powers, authority, protection and privileges of a constable.
C48AF15 Powers of search by authorised F101persons .
1
An authorised F102person at a prison shall have the power to search any prisoner for the purpose of ascertaining whether he has any unauthorised property on his person.
2
An authorised F105person searching a prisoner by virtue of this section—
a
shall not be entitled to require a prisoner to remove any of his clothing other than an outer coat, jacket, headgear, gloves and footwear;
b
may use reasonable force where necessary; and
c
may seize and detain any unauthorised property found on the prisoner in the course of the search.
3
4
The governor of a prison shall take such steps as he considers appropriate to notify to prisoners the descriptions of persons who are for the time being authorised to exercise the powers conferred by this section.
5
In this section “unauthorised property”, in relation to a prisoner, means property which the prisoner is not authorised by prison rules or by the governor to have in his possession or, as the case may be, in his possession in a particular part of the prison.
9 Exercise of office of chaplain.
1
A person shall not officiate as chaplain of two prisons unless the prisons are within convenient distance of each other and are together designed to receive not more than one hundred prisoners.
2
Notice of the nomination of a chaplain or assistant chaplain to a prison shall, within one month after it is made, be given to the bishop of the diocese in which the prison is situate; and the chaplain or assistant chaplain shall not officiate in the prison except under the authority of a licence from the bishop.
10 Appointment of prison ministers.
1
Where in any prison the number of prisoners who belong to a religious denomination other than the Church of England is such as in the opinion of the Secretary of State to require the appointment of a minister of that denomination, the Secretary of State may appoint such a minister to that prison.
2
The Secretary of State may pay a minister appointed under the preceding subsection such remuneration as he thinks reasonable.
3
F13The Secretary of State may allow a minister of any denomination other than the Church of England to visit prisoners of his denomination in a prison to which no minister of that denomination has been appointed under this section.
4
No prisoner shall be visited against his will by such a minister as is mentioned in the last preceding subsection; but every prisoner not belonging to the Church of England shall be allowed, in accordance with the arrangements in force in the prison in which he is confined, to attend chapel or to be visited by the chaplain.
C55
The governor of a prison shall on the reception of each prisoner record the religious denomination to which the prisoner declares himself to belong, and shall give to any minister who under this section is appointed to the prison or permitted to visit prisoners therein a list of the prisoners who have declared themselves to belong to his denomination; and the minister shall not be permitted to visit any other prisoners.
C611 Ejectment of prison officers and their families refusing to quit.
1
Where any living accommodation is provided for a prison officer or his family by virtue of his office, then, if he ceases to be a prison officer or is suspended from office or dies, he, or, as the case may be, his family, shall quit the accommodation when required to do so by notice of F14the Secretary of State.
2
Where a prison officer or the family of a prison officer refuses or neglects to quit the accommodation forty–eight hours after the giving of such a notice as aforesaid, any two justices of the peace, on proof made to them of the facts authorising the giving of the notice and of the service of the notice and of the neglect or refusal to comply therewith, may, by warrant under their hands and seals, direct any constable, within a period specified in the warrant, to enter by force, if necessary, into the accommodation and deliver possession of it to F14a person acting on behalf of the Secretary of State.
Confinement and treatment of prisoners
12 Place of confinement of prisoners.
C71
A prisoner, whether sentenced to imprisonment or committed to prison on remand or pending trial or otherwise, may be lawfully confined in any prison.
C72
Prisoners shall be committed to such prisons as the Secretary of State may from time to time direct; and may by direction of the Secretary of State be removed during the term of their imprisonment from the prison in which they are confined to any other prison.
C83
A writ, warrant or other legal instrument addressed to the governor of a prison and identifying that prison by its situation or by any other sufficient description shall not be invalidated by reason only that the prison is usually known by a different description.
13 Legal custody of prisoner.
C91
Every prisoner shall be deemed to be in the legal custody of the governor of the prison.
C10C442
A prisoner shall be deemed to be in legal custody while he is confined in, or is being taken to or from, any prison and while he is working, or is for any other reason, outside the prison in the custody or under the control of an officer of the prison F16and while he is being taken to any place to which he is required or authorised by or under this Act F17or section 95, 98, 99 or 108(5) of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000F160or section 271, 276 or 329 of the Sentencing Code to be taken, or is kept in custody in pursuance of any such requirement or authorisation.
14 Cells. C11
1
The Secretary of State shall satisfy himself from time to time that in every prison sufficient accommodation is provided for all prisoners.
C122
No cell shall be used for the confinement of a prisoner unless it is certified by an inspector that its size, lighting, heating, ventilation and fittings are adequate for health and that it allows the prisoner to communicate at any time with a prison officer.
3
A certificate given under this section in respect of any cell may limit the period for which a prisoner may be separately confined in the cell and the number of hours a day during which a prisoner may be employed therein.
4
The certificate shall identify the cell to which it relates by a number or mark and the cell shall be marked by that number or mark placed in a conspicuous position; and if the number or mark is changed without the consent of an inspector the certificate shall cease to have effect.
5
An inspector may withdraw a certificate given under this section in respect of any cell if in his opinion the conditions of the cell are no longer as stated in the certificate.
C136
In every prison special cells shall be provided for the temporary confinement of refractory or violent prisoners.
15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F18
16 Photographing and measuring of prisoners.
The Secretary of State may make regulations as to the measuring and photographing of prisoners and such regulations may prescribe the time or times at which and the manner and dress in which prisoners shall be measured and photographed and the number of copies of the measurements and photographs of each prisoner which shall be made and the persons to whom they shall be sent.
16AF26 Testing prisoners for drugs F162, psychoactive substances and other substances.
1
If an authorisation is in force for the prison, any prison officer may, at the prison, in accordance with prison rules, require any prisoner who is confined in the prison to provide a sample of urine for the purpose of ascertaining whether F163the prisoner has in their body any—
a
controlled drug,
b
pharmacy medicine,
c
prescription only medicine,
d
psychoactive substance, or
e
specified substance.
2
If the authorisation so provides, the power conferred by subsection (1) above shall include power to require a prisoner to provide a sample of any other description specified in the authorisation, not being an intimate sample, whether instead of or in addition to a sample of urine.
F1642A
The Secretary of State may use any prisoners' samples to test, on an anonymised basis, for the prevalence of the following substances in prisons—
a
controlled drugs,
b
medicinal products,
c
psychoactive substances, or
d
specified substances.
3
In this section—
“authorisation” means an authorisation by the governor;
F165“controlled drug” means any drug which is a controlled drug for the purposes of the M2Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 F166...;
“intimate sample” has the same meaning as in Part V of the M3Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984;
F167“medicinal product” has the meaning given in regulation 2 of the Human Medicines Regulations 2012;
“pharmacy medicine” has the meaning given in regulation 8 of the Human Medicines Regulations 2012;
“prescription only medicine” has the meaning given in regulation 8 of the Human Medicines Regulations 2012;
“prison officer” includes a prisoner custody officer within the meaning of Part IV of the Criminal Justice Act 1991;F146...
“prison rules” means rules under section 47 of this Act;
F168“prisoners' samples” means any sample—
- a
provided under subsection (1) or (2), or
- b
provided by prisoners voluntarily;
- a
“psychoactive substance” has the same meaning as in the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016;
F147F169“specified substance” means any substance or product specified in prison rules for the purposes of this section.
F1704
The Secretary of State may, by regulations, make such amendments of this section or section 47 as the Secretary of State considers appropriate in consequence of—
a
the amendment or revocation of the Human Medicine Regulations 2012, or
b
the making, amendment or revocation of any other subordinate legislation (whenever made) which relates to human medicines.
5
In subsection (4) “subordinate legislation” has the same meaning as in the Interpretation Act 1978.
F2716BF27 Power to test prisoners for alcohol.
1
If an authorisation is in force for the prison, any prison officer may, at the prison, in accordance with prison rules, require any prisoner who is confined in the prison to provide a sample of breath for the purpose of ascertaining whether he has alcohol in his body.
2
If the authorisation so provides, the power conferred by subsection (1) above shall include power—
a
to require a prisoner to provide a sample of urine, whether instead of or in addition to a sample of breath, and
b
to require a prisoner to provide a sample of any other description specified in the authorisation, not being an intimate sample, whether instead of or in addition to a sample of breath, a sample of urine or both.
3
In this section—
“authorisation” means an authorisation by the governor;
“intimate sample” has the same meaning as in Part V of the M4Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984;
“prison officer” includes a prisoner custody officer within the meaning of Part IV of the M5Criminal Justice Act 1991;
“prison rules” means rules under section 47 of this Act.
F10617 Painful tests.
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18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F19
19 Right of justice to visit prison.
C141
A justice of the peace for F83assigned to any local justice area . . . F21 may at any time visit any prison in that F20area . . . F21 and any prison in which a prisoner is confined in respect of an offence committed in that F20area . . . F21 and may examine the condition of the prison and of the prisoners and enter in the visitors’ book, to be kept by the governor of the prison, any observations on the condition of the prison or any abuses.
2
Nothing in the preceding subsection shall authorise a justice of the peace to communicate with any prisoner except on the subject of his treatment in the prison, F84....
C143
The governor of every prison shall bring any entry in the visitors’ book to the attention of the F107independent monitoring board at their next visit.
20. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F22
C3621 Expenses of conveyance to prison.
A prisoner shall not in any case be liable to pay the cost of his conveyance to prison.
22 Removal of prisoners for judicial and other purposes.
1
Rules made under section forty–seven of this Act may provide in what manner an appellant within the meaning of F23Part I of the M6Criminal Appeal Act 1968when in custody, is to be taken to, kept in custody at, and brought back from, any place at which he is entitled to be present for the purposes of that Act, or any place to which the Court of Criminal Appeal or any judge thereof may order him to be taken for the purpose of any proceedings of that court.
2
The Secretary of State may—
a
. . . F24
b
and where any person is directed under this subsection to be taken to any place he shall, unless the Secretary of State otherwise directs, be kept in custody while being so taken, while at that place, and while being taken back to the prison in which he is required in accordance with law to be detained.
23 Power of constable etc. to act outside his jurisdiction.
For the purpose of taking a person to or from any prison under the order of any authority competent to give the order a constable or other officer may act outside the area of his jurisdiction and shall notwithstanding that he is so acting have all the powers, authority, protection and privileges of his office.
Length of sentence, release on licence and temporary discharge
C1524 Calculation of term of sentence.
1
In any sentence of imprisonment the word “month” shall, unless the contrary is expressed, be construed as meaning calendar month.
2F28
F2925. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
26. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F30
C1628 Power of Secretary of State to discharge prisoners temporarily on account of ill health.
1
If the Secretary of State is satisfied that by reason of the condition of a prisoner’s health it is undesirable to detain him in prison, but that, such condition of health being due in whole or in part to the prisoner’s own conduct in prison, it is desirable that his release should be temporary and conditional only, the Secretary of State may, if he thinks fit, having regard to all the circumstances of the case, by order authorise the temporary discharge of the prisoner for such period and subject to such conditions as may be stated in the order.
2
Where an order of temporary discharge is made in the case of a prisoner not under sentence, the order shall contain conditions requiring the attendance of the prisoner at any further proceedings on his case at which his presence may be required.
3
Any prisoner discharged under this section shall comply with any conditions stated in the order of temporary discharge, and shall return to prison at the expiration of the period stated in the order, or of such extended period as may be fixed by any subsequent order of the Secretary of State, and if the prisoner fails so to comply or return, he may be arrested without warrant and taken back to prison.
4
Where a prisoner under sentence is discharged in pursuance of an order of temporary discharge, the currency of the sentence shall be suspended from the day on which he is discharged from prison under the order to the day on which he is received back into prison, so that the former day shall be reckoned and the latter shall not be reckoned as part of the sentence.
F1085
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Discharged prisoners
29. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F31
F3230 Payments for discharged prisoners.
The Secretary of State may make such payments to or in respect of persons released or about to be released from prison as he may with the consent of the Treasury determine.
Provision, maintenance and closing of prisons
33 Power to provide prisons, etc.
1
The Secretary of State may with the approval of the Treasury alter, enlarge or rebuild any prison and build new prisons.
C17F332
The Secretary of State may provide new prisons by declaring to be a prison—
a
any building or part of a building built for the purpose or vested in him or under his control; or
b
any floating structure or part of such a structure constructed for the purpose or vested in him or under his control.
3
A declaration under this section may with respect to the building or part of a building declared to be a prison make the same provisions as an order under the next following section may make with respect to an existing prison.
4
A declaration under this section may at any time be revoked by the Secretary of State.
5
A declaration under this section shall not be sufficient to vest the legal estate of any building in the F34Secretary of State.
34 Jurisdiction of sheriff, etc.
1
The transfer under the M7Prison Act 1877 of prisons and of the powers and jurisdiction of prison authorities and of justices in sessions assembled and visiting justices shall not be deemed to have affected the jurisdiction of any sheriff or coroner or, except to the extent of that transfer, of any justice of the peace or other officer.
2
The Secretary of State may by order direct that, for the purpose of any enactment, rule of law or custom dependent on a prison being the prison of any county or place, any prison situated in that county or in the county in which that place is situated, or any prison provided by him in pursuance of this Act, shall be deemed to be the prison of that county or place.
F35C1835 Prison property.
C191
F932
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F933
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F934
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
C2136 Acquisition of land for prisons. C20
C221
F36The Secretary of State may purchase by agreement orcompulsorily, any land required for the alteration, enlargement or rebuilding of a prison or for establishing a new prison or for any other purpose connected with the management of a prison (including the provision of accommodation for officers or servants employed in a prison).
F372
3
37 Closing of prisons.
1
F1512
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F1513
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4
38. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F42
C23 Offences
F11639F116Assisting a prisoner to escape
1
A person who—
a
assists a prisoner in escaping or attempting to escape from a prison, or
b
intending to facilitate the escape of a prisoner—
i
brings, throws or otherwise conveys anything into a prison,
ii
causes another person to bring, throw or otherwise convey anything into a prison, or
iii
gives anything to a prisoner or leaves anything in any place (whether inside or outside a prison),
is guilty of an offence.
2
A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years.
40AF113Sections 40B and 40C: classification of articles
1
This section defines the categories of articles which are referred to in sections 40B and 40C.
2
A List A article is any article or substance in the following list (“List A”)—
a
a controlled drug (as defined for the purposes of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971);
b
an explosive;
c
any firearm or ammunition (as defined in section 57 of the Firearms Act 1968);
d
any other offensive weapon (as defined in section 1(9) of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984).
3
A List B article is any article or substance in the following list (“List B”)—
a
alcohol (as defined for the purposes of the Licensing Act 2003);
b
a mobile telephone;
c
a camera;
d
a sound-recording device.
4
In List B—
“camera” includes any device by means of which a photograph (as defined in section 40E) can be produced;
“sound-recording device” includes any device by means of which a sound-recording (as defined in section 40E) can be made.
5
The reference in paragraph (b), (c) or (d) of List B to a device of any description includes a reference to—
a
a component part of a device of that description; or
b
an article designed or adapted for use with a device of that description (including any disk, film or other separate article on which images, sounds or information may be recorded).
6
A List C article is any article or substance prescribed for the purposes of this subsection by prison rules.
7
The Secretary of State may by order amend this section for the purpose of—
a
adding an entry to List A or List B;
b
repealing or modifying any entry for the time being included in List A or List B;
c
adding, repealing or modifying any provision for the interpretation of any such entry.
40BF113Conveyance etc. of List A articles into or out of prison
1
A person who, without authorisation—
a
brings, throws or otherwise conveys a List A article into or out of a prison,
b
causes another person to bring, throw or otherwise convey a List A article into or out of a prison,
c
leaves a List A article in any place (whether inside or outside a prison) intending it to come into the possession of a prisoner, or
d
knowing a person to be a prisoner, gives a List A article to him,
is guilty of an offence.
2
In this section “authorisation” means authorisation given for the purposes of this section—
a
in relation to all prisons or prisons of a specified description, by prison rules or by the Secretary of State; or
b
in relation to a particular prison, by the Secretary of State or by the governor or director of the prison.
In paragraph (a) “specified” means specified in the authorisation.
3
Authorisation may be given to specified persons or persons of a specified description—
a
in relation to specified articles or articles of a specified description;
b
in relation to specified acts or acts of a specified description; or
c
on such other terms as may be specified.
In this subsection “specified” means specified in the authorisation.
4
Authorisation given by the Secretary of State otherwise than in writing shall be recorded in writing as soon as is reasonably practicable after being given.
5
Authorisation given by the governor or director of a prison shall—
a
be given in writing; and
b
specify the purpose for which it is given.
6
A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years or to a fine (or both).
C3740CF113Conveyance etc. of List B or C articles into or out of prison
1
A person who, without authorisation—
a
brings, throws or otherwise conveys a List B article into or out of a prison,
b
causes another person to bring, throw or otherwise convey a List B article into or out of a prison,
c
leaves a List B article in any place (whether inside or outside a prison) intending it to come into the possession of a prisoner, or
d
knowing a person to be a prisoner, gives a List B article to him,
is guilty of an offence.
2
A person who, without authorisation—
a
brings, throws or otherwise conveys a List C article into a prison intending it to come into the possession of a prisoner,
b
causes another person to bring, throw or otherwise convey a List C article into a prison intending it to come into the possession of a prisoner,
c
brings, throws or otherwise conveys a List C article out of a prison on behalf of a prisoner,
d
causes another person to bring, throw or otherwise convey a List C article out of a prison on behalf of a prisoner,
e
leaves a List C article in any place (whether inside or outside a prison) intending it to come into the possession of a prisoner, or
f
while inside a prison, gives a List C article to a prisoner,
is guilty of an offence.
3
A person who attempts to commit an offence under subsection (2) is guilty of that offence.
4
In proceedings for an offence under this section it is a defence for the accused to show that—
a
he reasonably believed that he had authorisation to do the act in respect of which the proceedings are brought, or
b
in all the circumstances there was an overriding public interest which justified the doing of that act.
5
A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) is liable—
a
on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to a fine (or both);
b
on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum (or both).
6
A person guilty of an offence under subsection (2) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.
7
In this section “authorisation” means authorisation given for the purposes of this section; and subsections (1) to (3) of section 40E apply in relation to authorisations so given as they apply to authorisations given for the purposes of section 40D.
40CAF158Unauthorised possession in prison of knife or offensive weapon
1
A person who, without authorisation, is in possession of an article specified in subsection (2) inside a prison is guilty of an offence.
2
The articles referred to in subsection (1) are—
a
any article that has a blade or is sharply pointed;
b
any other offensive weapon (as defined in section 1(9) of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984).
3
In proceedings for an offence under this section it is a defence for the accused to show that—
a
he reasonably believed that he had authorisation to be in possession of the article in question, or
b
in all the circumstances there was an overriding public interest which justified his being in possession of the article.
4
A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—
a
on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding four years or to a fine (or both);
b
on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to a fine (or both).
5
In this section “authorisation” means authorisation given for the purposes of this section; and subsections (1) to (3) of section 40E apply in relation to authorisations so given as they apply to authorisations given for the purposes of section 40D.
40CBF159Throwing articles into prison
1
A person who, without authorisation, throws any article or substance into a prison is guilty of an offence.
2
For the purposes of subsection (1)—
a
the reference to an article or substance does not include a reference to a List A article, a List B article or a List C article (as defined by section 40A);
b
the reference to “throwing” an article or substance into a prison includes a reference to doing anything from outside the prison that results in the article or substance being projected or conveyed over or through a boundary of the prison so as to land inside the prison.
3
In proceedings for an offence under this section it is a defence for the accused to show that—
a
he reasonably believed that he had authorisation to do the act in respect of which the proceedings are brought, or
b
in all the circumstances there was an overriding public interest which justified the doing of that act.
4
A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) is liable—
a
on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to a fine (or both);
b
on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to a fine (or both).
5
In this section “authorisation” means authorisation given for the purposes of this section; and subsections (1) to (3) of section 40E apply in relation to authorisations so given as they apply to authorisations given for the purposes of section 40D.
C3840DF114Other offences relating to prison security
1
A person who, without authorisation—
a
takes a photograph, or makes a sound-recording, inside a prison, or
b
transmits, or causes to be transmitted, any image F123, sound or information from inside a prison by electronic communications for simultaneous reception outside the prison,
is guilty of an offence.
2
It is immaterial for the purposes of subsection (1)(a) where the recording medium is located.
3
A person who, without authorisation—
a
brings or otherwise conveys a restricted document out of a prison or causes such a document to be brought or conveyed out of a prison, or
F124b
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
is guilty of an offence.
F1253A
A person who, without authorisation, is in possession of any of the items specified in subsection (3B) inside a prison is guilty of an offence.
F1253B
The items referred to in subsection (3A) are—
a
a device capable of transmitting or receiving images, sounds or information by electronic communications (including a mobile telephone);
b
a component part of such a device;
c
an article designed or adapted for use with such a device (including any disk, film or other separate article on which images, sounds or information may be recorded).
4
In proceedings for an offence under this section it is a defence for the accused to show that—
a
he reasonably believed that he had authorisation to do the act in respect of which the proceedings are brought, or
b
in all the circumstances there was an overriding public interest which justified the doing of that act.
5
A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—
a
on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to a fine (or both); or
b
on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum (or both).
40EF114Section 40D: meaning of “authorisation” and other interpretation
1
In section 40D (and the following provisions of this section) “authorisation” means authorisation given for the purposes of that section—
a
in relation to all prisons or prisons of a specified description, by prison rules or by the Secretary of State;
b
in relation to a particular prison—
i
by the Secretary of State;
ii
by the governor or director of the prison;
iii
by a person working at the prison who is authorised by the governor or director to grant authorisation on his behalf.
In paragraph (a) “specified” means specified in the authorisation.
2
Authorisation may be given—
a
to persons generally or to specified persons or persons of a specified description; and
b
on such terms as may be specified.
In this subsection “specified” means specified in the authorisation.
3
Authorisation given by or on behalf of the governor or director of a prison must be in writing.
4
In section 40D “restricted document” means the whole (or any part of)—
a
a photograph taken inside the prison;
b
a sound-recording made inside the prison;
c
a personal record (or a document containing information derived from a personal record);
d
any other document which contains—
i
information relating to an identified or identifiable relevant individual, if the disclosure of that information would or might prejudicially affect the interests of that individual; or
ii
information relating to any matter connected with the prison or its operation, if the disclosure of that information would or might prejudicially affect the security or operation of the prison.
5
In subsection (4)—
“personal record” means any record which is required by prison rules to be prepared and maintained in relation to any prisoner (and it is immaterial whether or not the individual concerned is still a prisoner at the time of any alleged offence);
“relevant individual” means an individual who is or has at any time been—
- a
a prisoner or a person working at the prison; or
- b
a member of such a person's family or household.
- a
6
In section 40D and this section—
“document” means anything in which information is recorded (by whatever means);
“electronic communications” has the same meaning as in the Electronic Communications Act 2000 (c. 7);
“photograph” means a recording on any medium on which an image is produced or from which an image (including a moving image) may by any means be produced; and
“sound-recording” means a recording of sounds on any medium from which the sounds may by any means be reproduced.
40FF115Offences under sections 40B to 40D: extension of Crown immunity
1
An individual who—
a
works at a prison;
b
does not do that work as a servant or agent of the Crown; and
c
has been designated by the Secretary of State for the purposes of this section,
shall be treated for the purposes of the application of sections 40B to 40D as if he were doing that work as a servant or agent of the Crown.
2
A designation for the purposes of this section may be given—
a
in relation to persons specified in the designation or persons of a description so specified; and
b
in relation to all work falling within subsection (1)(a) or only in relation to such activities as the designation may provide.
F11741 Unlawful introduction of other articles.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
42 Display of notice of penalties.
The Prison Commissioners shall cause to be fixed in a conspicuous place outside every prison a notice of the penalties to which persons committing offences under F118sections 39 to 40D are liable.
F144Disposal of property
S. 42A and cross-heading inserted (26.3.2015) by Prisons (Property) Act 2013 (c. 11), ss. 1(1), 2; S.I. 2015/771, art. 2
42ADisposal of unauthorised or unattributable property
1
The governor or director of a prison may destroy or otherwise dispose of, or arrange for the destruction or other disposal of—
a
an article found in the possession of a prisoner who is not authorised to have it in his or her possession, or
b
an article found inside the prison or in a prisoner escort vehicle, otherwise than in the possession of a prisoner, where—
i
the owner of the article is a prisoner who is not authorised to have it in his or her possession, or
ii
the owner of the article cannot be ascertained.
2
An article which a prisoner is authorised to have in his or her possession is to be treated for the purposes of subsection (1) as not so authorised where the governor or director of the prison reasonably believes that the article is being, has been or may be used for any of the purposes mentioned in subsection (3).
3
Those purposes are—
a
concealing an article which a prisoner is not authorised to have in his or her possession;
b
causing harm to the prisoner or others;
c
prejudicing the security or operation of the prison.
4
Where a prisoner is authorised to have an article in his or her possession in a particular part of the prison, subsection (1)(a) or (b)(i) applies only where the property is found otherwise than in that part.
5
In this section—
a
“authorised” means authorised in accordance with prison rules or by the governor or director of the prison;
b
“prisoner escort vehicle” means a vehicle used for taking a prisoner to or from a prison or other place while in custody;
c
references to disposing of an article include selling it.
6
The power under subsection (1)—
a
may be exercised in relation to a relevant article found before the day on which this section comes into force if the article remains unclaimed at the end of six months beginning with that day;
b
may not otherwise be exercised in relation to an article found before that day.
7
In subsection (6)(a) “relevant article” means an article specified in section 40A(3)(c) or (d) (cameras and sound-recording devices) or section 40D(3B) (devices capable of transmitting or receiving images, sounds or information by electronic communications, etc).
F134 Remand centres, detention centres and Borstal institutionsF134Places for the detention of young offenders etc
S. 43 and cross-heading substituted (20.3.2015 for specified purposes) by Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 (c. 2), ss. 38(1), 95(1) (with s. 95(10)); S.I. 2015/778, art. 2(1)(a)(2)
F4343F134 Remand centres, detention centres and youth custody centres.F134Places for the detention of young offenders etc
F1341
The Secretary of State may provide—
C41a
remand centres, that is to say places for the detention of persons not less than 14 but under 21 years of age who are remanded or committed in custody for trial or sentence;
F44aa
c
C24F48d
secure training centres, that is to say places in which offenders in respect of whom detention and training orders have been made under F49section 100 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 may be detained and given training and education and prepared for their release.F127and in which children who have been remanded to youth detention accommodation under section 91(4) of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 may be detained
2
The Secretary of State may from time to time direct—
C41a
that a woman aged 21 years or over who is serving a sentence of imprisonment or who has been committed to prison for default shall be detained in a remand centre or a youth custody centre instead of a prison:
C41b
that a woman aged 21 years or over who is remanded in custody or committed in custody for trial or sentence shall be detained in a remand centre instead of a prison;
c
that a person under 21 but not less than 17 years of age who is remanded in custody or committed in custody for trial or sentence shall be detained in a prison instead of a remand centre or a remand centre instead of a prison, notwithstanding anything in section 27 of the Criminal Justice Act 1948 or section 23(3) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1969.
3
Notwithstanding subsection (1) above, any person required to be detained in an institution to which this Act applies may be detained in a remand centre for any temporary purpose F50and a person [F51aged 18 years] or over may be detained in such a centre for the purpose of providing maintenance and domestic services for that centre.
4
Sections 5A, 6(2) and (3), 16, 22, 25 F145, 36 and 42A of this Act shall apply to remand centres, detention centres and youth custody centres and to persons detained in them as they apply to prisons and prisoners.
F524A
Sections 16, 22 F145, 36 and 42A of this Act shall apply to secure training centres and to persons detained in them as they apply to prisons and prisoners.
5
The other provisions of this Act preceding this section, except F154section 28 above, shall apply to F53centres of the descriptions specified in subsection (4) above and to persons detained in them as they apply to prisons and prisoners, but subject to such adaptation and modifications as may be specified in rules made by the Secretary of State.
F545A
The other provisions of this Act preceding this section, except sections 5, 5A, 6(2) and (3), 12, 14, 19, 25 F155and 28 above, shall apply to secure training centres and to persons detained in them as they apply to prisons and prisoners, but subject to such adaptations and modifications as may be specified in rules made by the Secretary of State.
6
References in the preceding provisions of this Act to imprisonment shall, so far as those provisions apply to institutions provided under this section, be construed as including references to detention in those institutions.
7
Nothing in this section shall be taken to prejudice the operation of F55section 108(5) of the Powers ofCriminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000.
C40F1228
The application of this Act to a person on whom a custodial sentence (within the meaning of the Armed Forces Act 2006) has been passed in respect of a service offence (within the meaning of that Act) is not affected by the omission from subsection (1) of a reference to that sentence.
F1341
The Secretary of State may provide the following places for the detention of young persons sentenced to detention for an offence or remanded to custody (or for the detention of a class of such persons)—
a
young offender institutions,
b
secure training centres, and
c
secure colleges.
2
In subsection (1), “young person” means a person who is aged under 18 or who was aged under 18 when convicted of the offence or remanded.
3
Sections 1 to 42A and Schedule A1 (“the prisons provisions”) apply in relation to places listed in subsection (1) and to persons detained in them as they apply to prisons and prisoners, subject to subsections (4) to (7).
4
5
In their application in relation to secure colleges, the prisons provisions apply as if references to the governor and deputy governor were references to the principal and deputy principal.
6
In their application in relation to places listed in subsection (1), the prisons provisions apply—
a
as if references to imprisonment included references to detention in those places, and
b
subject to any other modifications specified in rules made by the Secretary of State (but see subsection (7)).
7
The following provisions, as they apply in relation to the following places, may not be modified by rules made under this section—
Place | Provisions |
|---|---|
Young offender institutions | Sections 5A, 6(2) and (3), 16, 22, 36 and 42A and Schedule A1 |
Secure training centres or secure colleges | Sections 5A, 16, 22, 36 and 42A and Schedule A1 |
8
Rules made under this section may—
a
make different provision for different cases;
b
contain transitional, transitory or saving provision.
9
The references in this section to a young person sentenced to detention—
a
include a person sentenced to a detention and training order or an order under section 211 of the Armed Forces Act 2006;
b
do not include a person sentenced to service detention within the meaning of the Armed Forces Act 2006.
10
Subsections (11) to (13) have effect in relation to any time before the coming into force of section 61 of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 (abolition of sentences of detention in a young offender institution).
11
Subsection (2) of this section, as it applies for the purposes of the power under subsection (1) to provide young offender institutions, has effect as if for “18”, in each place, there were substituted “
21
”
.
12
The Secretary of State may from time to time direct that a woman aged 21 or over who is serving a sentence of imprisonment or who has been committed to prison for default is to be detained in a young offender institution.
13
Nothing in this section prejudices the operation of section 108(5) of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 (detention of persons aged at least 18 but under 21 for default or contempt).
44. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F56
Rules for the management of prisons and other institutions
C26C27C28C39C4547F135 Rules for the management of prisons and places for the detention of young offendersC25
1
2
Rules made under this section shall make provision for ensuring that a person who is charged with any offence under the rules shall be given a proper opportunity of presenting his case.
3
Rules made under this section may provide for the training of particular classes of persons and their allocation for that purpose to any prison or other institution in which they may lawfully be detained.
F1483A
Rules made under this section may specify any substance or product F171... in relation to which a person may be required to provide a sample for the purposes of section 16A of this Act F172; but a substance or product may not be specified if it is—
a
a controlled drug,
b
a pharmacy medicine,
c
a prescription only medicine, or
d
a psychoactive substance
within the meaning of section 16A.
4
Rules made under this section shall provide for the special treatment of the following persons whilst required to be detained in a prison, that is to say—
a
. . . F58
F614A
Rules made under this section shall provide for F138—
a
the inspection of secure training centres and secure colleges, and
5
Rules made under this section may provide for the temporary release of persons F62detained in a prison, remand centre F63, young offender institution F141, secure training centre or secure college not being persons committed in custody for trial F64before the Crown Courtor committed to be sentenced or otherwise dealt with by F64the Crown Courtor remanded in custody by any court.
Miscellaneous
48. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F65
C3049C29 Persons unlawfully at large.
C31C321
Any person who, having been sentenced to F66imprisonment or custody for life or ordered to be detained in F109youth detention accomodation or in a young offenders institution, or having been committed to a prison or remand centre, is unlawfully at large, may be arrested by a constable without warrant and taken to the place in which he is required in accordance with law to be detained.
C33C342
Where any person sentenced to F67imprisonment, or ordered to be detained in F110youth detention accomodation or in a young offenders institution is unlawfully at large at any time during the period for which he is liable to be detained in pursuance of the sentence or order, then, unless the Secretary of State otherwise directs, no account shall be taken, in calculating the period for which he is liable to be so detained, of any time during which he is absent from the F68place in which he is required in accordance with law to be detained:
Provided that—
C35a
this subsection shall not apply to any period during which any such person as aforesaid is detained in pursuance of the sentence or order or in pursuance of any other sentence of any court F69in the United KingdomF67in a prison or remand centre, in F110youth detention accomodation or in a young offenders institution;
b
F70. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
c
. . . F71
3
The provisions of the last preceding subsection shall apply to a person who is detained in custody in default of payment of any sum of money as if he were sentenced to imprisonment.
F1293A
Where—
a
a person is extradited to the United Kingdom from a category 1 territory for the purpose of serving a term of imprisonment or another form of detention mentioned in subsection (2) of this section, and
b
the person was for any time kept in custody in that territory with a view to the extradition (and not also for any other reason),
the Secretary of State shall exercise the power under that subsection to direct that account shall be taken of that time in calculating the period for which the person is liable to be detained.
F1293B
In subsection (3A) of this section “category 1 territory” means a territory designated under the Extradition Act 2003 for the purposes of Part 1 of that Act.
C424
For the purposes of this section a person who, after being temporarily released in pursuance of rules made under subsection (5) of section forty–seven of this Act, is at large at any time during the period for which he is liable to be detained in pursuance of his sentence shall be deemed to be unlawfully at large if the period for which he was temporarily released has expired or if an order recalling him has been made by the F72Secretary of Statein pursuance of the rules.
F1744ZA
For the purposes of this section a person who, after being temporarily released in pursuance of section 163 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (temporary release from a secure children’s home), is at large at any time during the period for which they are liable to be detained pursuant to their sentence shall be deemed to be unlawfully at large if the period for which they were temporarily released has expired or if they have been recalled under that section.
F1284A
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F735
In this section “F111“youth detention accommodation”” means—
a
a young offender institution;
b
a secure training centre;
F142ba
a secure college; or
50 Application of certain provisions to remand homes and attendance centres.
Subsection (1) of section eighteen of this Act shall apply to attendance centres as it applies to prisons . . . F74
Supplemental
51 Payment of expenses out of moneys provided by Parliament.
All expenses incurred in the maintenance of prisons and in the maintenance of prisoners and all other expenses of the Secretary of State . . . F75 incurred under this Act shall be defrayed out of moneys provided by Parliament.
52 Exercise of power to make orders, rules and regulations.
1
2
F1202A
A statutory instrument containing an order under section 40A(7) which relates to List A (whether or not it also relates to List B) shall not be made unless a draft of it has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.
2B
A statutory instrument containing an order under section 40A(7) which relates only to List B is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
F1732C
A statutory instrument containing regulations under section 16A(4) shall not be made unless a draft of it has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.
F892A
A statutory instrument containing an order under Schedule A1 to this Act shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
3
The power of the Secretary of State to make an order under section six or section thirty–four of this Act F91or under Schedule A1 to this Act shall include power to revoke or vary such an order.
F1434
A statutory instrument containing rules under section 47 or 47A is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament, subject to subsection (5).
5
A statutory instrument containing rules under section 47 that (whether alone or with other provision)—
a
authorise a secure college custody officer performing custodial duties at a secure college to use reasonable force, or
b
otherwise make a substantive change to the circumstances in which such an officer is authorised to do so,
may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.
6
In subsection (5), “secure college custody officer” has the same meaning as in Schedule 10 to the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015.
53 Interpretation.
1
2
For the purposes of this Act the maintenance of a prisoner shall include all necessary expenses incurred in respect of the prisoner for food, clothing, custody and removal from one place to another, from the period of his committal to prison until his death or discharge from prison.
3
References in this Act to the Church of England shall be construed as including references to the Church in Wales.
4
References in this Act to any enactment shall be construed as references to that enactment as amended by any other enactment.
54Consequential amendments, repeals and savings.
F781
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F79
3
Nothing in this repeal shall affect any rule, order, regulation or declaration made, direction or certificate given or thing done under any enactment repealed by this Act and every such rule, order, regulation, direction, certificate or thing shall, if in force at the commencement of this Act, continue in force and be deemed to have been made, given or done under the corresponding provision of this Act.
4
Any document referring to any Act or enactment repealed by this Act shall be construed as referring to this Act or to the corresponding enactment in this Act.
5
The mention of particular matters in this section shall not be taken to affect the general application to this Act of section thirty–eight of the M10Interpretation Act 1889 (which relates to the effect of repeals).
55 Short title, commencement and extent.
1
This Act may be cited as the Prison Act 1952.
2
This Act shall come into operation on the first day of October, nineteen hundred and fifty–two.
F803
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4
5
This Act shall not extend to Northern Ireland.
F876
But (despite subsections (4) and (5)) the following shall extend to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland—
a
section 5A(5A) and (5B), and
b
section 5A(2) to (5) in so far as they apply by virtue of section 5A(5A).
Power to apply ss. 39–42 with modifications conferred by Army Act 1955 (c. 18), s. 122(3), Air Force Act 1955 (c. 19), s. 122(3) and Naval Discipline Act 1957 (c. 53), s. 82(3)