The Prison (Governor’s and Adjudicators’ Punishments) (Amendment) Rules 2026

Explanatory note

Reproduced verbatim from the instrument as published on legislation.gov.uk (Crown Copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0). The note is prepared by the responsible government department and is not part of the instrument itself.

These Rules amend the Prison Rules 1999 ( S.I. 1999/728 ) by extending the punishments available to a governor and to an adjudicator following a finding of guilt for an offence against discipline listed in Prison Rule 51.

Rule 4 increases the maximum number of days for forfeiture of privileges from 42 days to 84 days and adds two new punishments restricting social visits. The new social visits punishments apply only to convicted prisoners and do not apply to visits from prisoners’ children and any appropriately accompanying adult.

Rule 5 increases the maximum number of added days that can be imposed by an adjudicator for an offence against discipline from 42 days to 84 days.

Rule 3 makes consequential amendments to Prison Rule 35 (personal letters and visits) and rule 6 makes consequential amendments to, and updates legislative references in, Prison Rule 57 (offences committed by young persons).

Rule 7 amends Prison Rule 59 (prospective award of additional days) to update a legislative reference.

An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no significant impact on the private, voluntary or public sectors is foreseen.