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Prisons (Scotland) Act 1989

1989 c. 45 · Enacted 16 November 1989 · Extends to Scotland

Not fully up to date. 2 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 22 March 2026.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
s. 39(7) s. 39(7A) (7B)repealedCustodial Sentences and Weapons (Scotland) Act 2007 sch. 5
s. 32A(1)(a)word insertedBail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Act 2023 s. 9(13)
An Act to consolidate certain enactments relating to prisons and other institutions for offenders in Scotland and connected matters.[16th November 1989] C1

Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

Contents

  1. Central administration
  2. 1General control over prisons in Scotland.
  3. 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  4. 3General superintendence of prisons.
  5. 3AMedical officers for prisons
  6. 4General duties in relation to prisons.
  7. 5Report to Parliament.
  8. 6Annual return of punishments.
  9. 6APurpose of inspection and monitoring of prisons
  10. 7Appointment and functions of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland.
  11. 7AAppointment of prison monitoring co-ordinators
  12. 7BThe functions of prison monitoring co-ordinators
  13. 7CAppointment of independent prison monitors
  14. 7DThe functions of independent prison monitors
  15. 7EDuty of the governor to assist with inspection and monitoring
  16. 7FPrison monitoring advisory group
  17. 7GSPT visits
  18. 8Visiting committees. Repealed
  19. 9Appointment of prison ministers.
  20. Confinement and treatment of prisoners
  21. 10Place of confinement of prisoners.
  22. 11Removal of prisoners for judicial and other purposes.
  23. 12Photographing and measuring of prisoners.
  24. 13Legal custody of prisoner.
  25. 14Legalised police cells.
  26. 15Right of sheriff or justice to visit prison.
  27. Discharge of prisoners
  28. 16Discharge of prisoners.
  29. 17Allowances to prisoner on discharge.
  30. 18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  31. Detention and transfer of young offenders
  32. 19Young offenders institutions.
  33. 20Temporary detention of persons liable to detention in young offenders institution ....
  34. 20ATransfer of young offenders to prison ....
  35. 21Transfer to prison of persons over 21, and maximum age for detention in young offenders institution.
  36. Release on licence, etc.
  37. 22. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  38. 22ASuspension of licence conditions
  39. 23. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  40. 24. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  41. 25. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  42. 26. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  43. 27. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  44. 28. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  45. 29. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  46. Supervision after release
  47. 30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  48. 31. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  49. 32. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  50. Remaining unlawfully at large
  51. 32AOffence where unlawfully at large
  52. 32BCertification of being unlawfully at large
  53. 32CMeaning of remaining unlawfully at large
  54. 32DDefinition of associated expressions
  55. Miscellaneous
  56. 33. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  57. 33APower of governor to delegate functions.
  58. 34Notification of and inquiry into death of prisoner.
  59. 35Return of warrants for or sentences of imprisonment.
  60. 36Legal estate in prison.
  61. 37Discontinuance of prison.
  62. 38Acquisition of land for prisons.
  63. 39Rules for the management of prisons and other institutions.
  64. 40Arrest of and rules for absent prisoners
  65. 40AWarrants for arrest of escaped prisoners.
  66. 40BTemporary detention of person being returned to prison in England and Wales etc.
  67. 41Unlawful introduction of tobacco, etc., into prison.
  68. 41APowers of search by authorised employees.
  69. 41BTesting prisoners for drugs.
  70. 41CTesting of prisoners for alcohol.
  71. 41DUnlawful disclosure of information by medical officer.
  72. 41ZAFurther provision for communication devices
  73. 41ZBExceptions as to communication devices
  74. 42Exercise of power to make rules, etc.
  75. 43Interpretation.
  76. 44Expenses.
  77. 45Amendments and repeals.
  78. 46Short title, commencement and extent.
  79. Schedule 1
  80. The Parole Board
  81. 1Paragraph 1
  82. 2Paragraph 2
  83. 3Paragraph 3
  84. 4Paragraph 4
  85. 5Paragraph 5
  86. Local review committees
  87. 6Paragraph 6
  88. Schedule 2: Amendment of enactments
  89. Children and Young Persons (Scotland) Act 1937
  90. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  91. 2Paragraph 2
  92. Army Act 1955
  93. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  94. Air Force Act 1955
  95. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  96. Naval Discipline Act 1957
  97. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  98. 6Paragraph 6
  99. Criminal Justice Act 1961
  100. 7Paragraph 7
  101. Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 1963
  102. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  103. Criminal Justice Act 1967
  104. 9Paragraph 9
  105. Courts-Martial (Appeals) Act 1968
  106. 10Paragraph 10
  107. Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975
  108. 11Paragraph 11
  109. 12Paragraph 12
  110. 13Paragraph 13 Repealed
  111. 14Paragraph 14 Repealed
  112. 15Paragraph 15 Repealed
  113. 16Paragraph 16
  114. Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1980
  115. 17Paragraph 17 Repealed
  116. Contempt of Court Act 1981
  117. 18Paragraph 18 Repealed
  118. Mental Health (Scotland) Act 1984
  119. 19Paragraph 19
  120. Schedule 3: Repeals