73.—[F1(1) Without prejudice to any other powers to prohibit or restrict entry to prisons, or his powers under rules 34 and 35, the Secretary of State may prohibit visits by a person to a prison or to a prisoner in a prison for such periods of time as he considers necessary if the Secretary of State considers that such a prohibition is—
(a)necessary on grounds specified in rule 35A(4); and
(b)is proportionate to what is sought to be achieved by the prohibition.]
[F2(1A) During a coronavirus period, the Secretary of State may prohibit visits by all persons or classes of persons to a prison or to a prisoner in a prison for such periods of time as the Secretary of State considers necessary, if the Secretary of State considers that such prohibition is necessary as a result of the effects, or likely effects, of coronavirus on or in relation to prisoners or the prison.]
(2) [F3Paragraph (1)] [F3Paragraphs (1) and (1A)] shall not apply in relation to any visit to a prison or prisoner by a member of the [F4independent monitoring board] of the prison, or justice of the peace, or to prevent any visit by a legal adviser for the purposes of an interview under rule 38 or visit allowed by the [F4independent monitoring board] under rule 35(6).
Textual Amendments
F1Rule 73(1) substituted (24.10.2000) by The Prison (Amendment) (No. 2) Rules 2000 (S.I. 2000/2641), rules 1, 7
F2Rule 73(1A) inserted (temp.) (15.5.2020) by virtue of The Prison and Young Offender Institution (Coronavirus) (Amendment) (No. 2) Rules 2020 (S.I. 2020/508), rule 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 12(a) (with rule 1(3))
F3Words in rule 73(2) substituted (temp.) (15.5.2020) by virtue of The Prison and Young Offender Institution (Coronavirus) (Amendment) (No. 2) Rules 2020 (S.I. 2020/508), rule 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 12(b) (with rule 1(3))
F4Words in rule 73(2) substituted (1.4.2008) by The Prison (Amendment) Rules 2008 (S.I. 2008/597), rules 1, 4(a)