Explanatory note

These Rules amend the Prison and Young Offenders Centre Rules (Northern Ireland) 1995 (the principal rules).

Rule 3 amends Rule 2 of the principal rules to include religion in the list of criteria that may not be used in allocating facilities and privileges.

Rule 4 amends Rule 27 of the principal rules to allow previous applications for temporary release, including fraudulent applications, to be taken into account in considering applications for temporary release.

Rule 5 amends Rule 38 of the principal rules to create a new disciplinary offence of providing false information in an application for temporary release.

Rule 6 amends Rule 69 of the principal rules to require the consent of a prisoner to a police interview under the rules.