New adjudication punishments come in from 2 September
Prisoners face tougher punishments for breaking prison rules from 2 September, under changes to the adjudication system announced by the Prison Service.
The changes apply to anyone held under the Prison Rules. If you’re held under Young Offender Institution (YOI) rules, you’re not affected.
What’s changing
Two existing punishments are getting longer maximum limits. If an independent adjudicator gives you extra days for a single offence, the maximum goes up from 42 days to 84 days. And if you lose privileges as a punishment, the maximum length of that punishment also doubles, from 42 days to 84 days.
Two new punishments are being introduced that affect social visits. Adjudicators will be able to stop your social visits altogether for up to 27 days. Alternatively, they can cut your visits down, so instead of getting at least two visits every 28 days as normal, you’d only get one, for up to 84 days.
Children can still visit
If you have a child under 18, these new visit punishments will not stop them from coming to see you. Your child can still visit as normal, brought by an adult such as their mother, even if you’re on one of the new visit punishments.
Who this is aimed at
These stronger punishments are meant for serious rule-breaking or for prisoners who keep breaking the rules when other punishments haven’t worked. They’re not for minor, one-off breaches. Incentive schemes are not affected by any of this.
Your rights stay the same
The adjudication process itself hasn’t changed. You still have the same rights you had before, including the right to get legal advice, and you can appeal a guilty finding and the punishment given in the same way as before.
Where to find out more
If you want more information, speak to a member of staff on your wing.
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