Prison Act 1952

Sections 1 – 5 apply to the central administration.  This includes the general control over prisons (s. 1) and general duties of prison commissioners (s. 4).  Visiting committees and boards of visitors are provided for under Section 6.

Provisions applicable to prison officers are set out under Sections 7 – 11.  Section 8 set out the powers of prison officers.

Sections 12 – 23 set out provisions relating to the confinement and treatment of prisoners.  This includes the place of confinement of prisoners (s. 12), cells (s. 14), separation of male and female prisoners (s. 15), photographing and measuring of prisoners (s. 16), painful tests (s. 17), corporal punishment in prisons (s. 18), right of justice to visit prison (s. 19), removal of prisoners for judicial and other purposes (s. 22) and the power of constable etc. to act outside his jurisdiction (s. 23).

Details regarding the length of sentence, release on licence and temporary discharge are given in Sections 24 – 28.  Information relating to discharged prisoners is set out under Sections 29 – 32.  Offences relating to the prison are provided for in Sections 39 – 42.  This includes the offence of assisting prisoner to escape (s. 39), unlawful conveyance of spirits or tobacco (s. 40) or unlawful introduction of any other articles (s. 41).

Provisions relating to remand centres, detention centres and Borstal institutions are set out under Sections 43 – 46.  This includes details on remand centres, detention centres and Borstal institutions (s. 43), transfers from Borstal institutions to prison and vice versa (s. 44), release of person sentenced to Borstal training (s. 45) and temporary detention of persons liable to detention in a borstal institution (s. 46).

Rules for the management of prisons and other institutions such as remand centres, detention centres and Borstal institutions are covered under Section 47.

Miscellaneous provisions are set out under Sections 48 – 50 and supplemental provisions are covered under Sections 51 – 55.  This includes the provision to exercise power to make orders, rules and regulations (s. 52).

SCHEDULES

First Schedule – Registration of Address and reporting at Police Stations by Discharged Prisoners
Third Schedule – Consequential Amendments
Fourth Schedule – Enactments repealed

See here: Prison Act 1952