Citation and commencement

1.-(1) These Rules may be cited as the Prison and Young Offender Institution (Amendment) Rules 2015.

(2) These Rules come into force on 4th September 2015, except as provided for in paragraph (3).

(3) In so far as they insert rule 45(2B) and (2C) of the Prison Rules 1999(2) and rule 49(2B) and (2C) of the Young Offender Institution Rules 2000(3), rules 2(3) and 3(3) come into force on 16th October 2015.

Amendment of the Prison Rules 1999

2.-(1) Rule 45 (removal from association) of the Prison Rules 1999 is amended as follows.

(2) In paragraph (1), for "accordingly" substitute "for up to 72 hours".

(3) For paragraph (2)(4) substitute-

"(2) Removal for more than 72 hours may be authorised by the governor in writing who may authorise a further period of removal of up to 14 days.

(2A) Such authority may be renewed for subsequent periods of up to 14 days.

(2B) But the governor must obtain leave from the Secretary of State in writing to authorise removal under paragraph (2A) where the period in total amounts to more than 42 days starting with the date the prisoner was removed under paragraph (1).

(2C) The Secretary of State may only grant leave for a maximum period of 42 days, but such leave may be renewed for subsequent periods of up to 42 days by the Secretary of State.".

(4) In paragraph (3)(5) omit ", and in exercising that discretion the governor must fully consider any recommendation that the prisoner resumes association on medical grounds made by a registered medical practitioner or registered nurse working within the prison".

(5) After paragraph (3) insert-

"(3A) In giving authority under paragraphs (2) and (2A) and in exercising the discretion under paragraph (3), the governor must fully consider any recommendation that the prisoner resumes association on medical grounds made by a registered medical practitioner or registered nurse working within the prison.".

Amendment of the Young Offender Institution Rules 2000

3.-(1) Rule 49 (removal from association) of the Young Offender Institution Rules 2000 is amended as follows.

(2) In paragraph (1), for "accordingly" substitute "for up to 72 hours".

(3) For paragraph (2)(6) substitute-

"(2) Removal for more than 72 hours may be authorised by the governor in writing who may authorise a further period of removal of up to 14 days.

(2A) Such authority may be renewed for subsequent periods of up to 14 days.

(2B) But the governor must obtain leave from the Secretary of State in writing to authorise removal under paragraph (2A) where the period in total amounts to more than 42 days starting with the date the inmate was removed under paragraph (1).

(2C) The Secretary of State may only grant leave for a maximum period of 42 days, but such leave may be renewed for subsequent periods of up to 42 days by the Secretary of State.".

(4) In paragraph (3)(7) omit ", and in exercising that discretion the governor must fully consider any recommendation that the inmate resumes association on medical grounds made by a registered medical practitioner or registered nurse working within the young offender institution".

(5) After paragraph (3) insert-

"(4) In giving authority under paragraphs (2) and (2A) and in exercising the discretion under paragraph (3), the governor must fully consider any recommendation that the inmate resumes association on medical grounds made by a registered medical practitioner or registered nurse working within the young offender institution.".

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Rules)

These Rules amend the Prison Rules 1999 (S.I 1999/728) and the Young Offender Institution Rules 2000 (S.I. 2000/3371). The effect of the amendments in rule 2(2) and (3) and rule 3(2) and (3) is that where the governor has arranged for a prisoner or inmate to be removed from association for the maintenance of good order and discipline or in their own interests, removal for a period of more than 72 hours must be authorised by the governor in writing. Such authority may only authorise removal for a period of up to 14 days, but the governor may give authority for further subsequent periods of removal, in each case for up to 14 days. However, the governor may not give such authority for a period of removal for more than 42 days, starting with the date on which the prisoner or inmate was first removed, without leave in writing from the Secretary of State, which must be obtained for any subsequent period up to 42 days. The remaining amendments in rule 2(4) and 2(5) and 3(4) and 3(5) extend the requirement that the governor must fully consider any recommendation that the prisoner resumes association on medical grounds made by a registered medical practitioner or registered nurse working within the prison or young offenders institution. That requirement will apply to a decision by the governor to authorise removal from association for longer than 72 hours as well as, as is currently the case, to the exercise of the discretion by the governor to arrange for the prisoner or inmate to resume association.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no impact on the private or voluntary sectors is foreseen.