OpenLegislation

Criminal Justice Act 1991

1991 c. 53 · Enacted 25 July 1991 · Extends to United Kingdom

Not fully up to date. 25 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 29 June 2026.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
s. 93(2)repealedPolice and Magistrates' Courts Act 1994 Sch. 9 Pt. 2
Sch. 11 para. 40(2)(p)repealedAccess to Justice Act 1999 Sch. 15 Pt. 5(2)
Sch. 11 para. 40(2)(f)repealedAccess to Justice Act 1999 Sch. 15 Pt. 5(2)
Sch. 11 para. 1repealedYouth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 Sch. 6
Sch. 11 para. 37words repealedYouth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 Sch. 6
s. 55(7)repealedYouth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 Sch. 6
Sch. 12 para. 16(3)words repealedCriminal Justice and Courts Services Act 2000 Sch. 7 para. 113 Sch. 8
s. 68(b)repealedCriminal Justice and Courts Services Act 2000 Sch. 7 para. 108 Sch. 8
s. 92(1)words repealedCriminal Justice and Courts Services Act 2000 Sch. 7 para. 109 Sch. 8
Sch. 8 para. 2repealedCriminal Justice and Courts Services Act 2000 Sch. 7 para. 112 Sch. 8
Sch. 8 para. 6(3)repealedCriminal Justice and Courts Services Act 2000 Sch. 7 para. 112 Sch. 8
Sch. 12 para. 15(4)words repealedCriminal Justice and Courts Services Act 2000 Sch. 7 para. 113 Sch. 8
Sch. 12 para. 8(8)(d)repealedCriminal Justice Act 2003 Sch. 37 Pt. 7
s. 26(5)repealedCriminal Justice Act 2003 Sch. 37 Pt. 9
s. 65(5B)(a)words substitutedCriminal Justice Act 2003 Sch. 38 para. 5(2)(a)
s. 65(5B)(b)substitutedCriminal Justice Act 2003 Sch. 38 para. 5(2)(b)
s. 65(5E)insertedCriminal Justice Act 2003 Sch. 38 para. 5(3)
s. 65(10)substitutedCriminal Justice Act 2003 Sch. 38 para. 5(4)
Sch. 12 para. 9(3)(c)repealedCriminal Justice Act 2003 Sch. 37 Pt. 7
Sch. 11 para. 23repealedViolent Crime Reduction Act 2006 Sch. 5
s. 24(4)words repealedWelfare Reform Act 2007 Sch. 8
s. 24 titlewords substitutedWelfare Reform Act 2009 Sch. 2 para. 2
s. 24(2)(d)words repealedWelfare Reform Act 2009 Sch. 7 Pt. 1
s. 24(4)words repealedWelfare Reform Act 2009 Sch. 7 Pt. 1
s. 24(2)(ba)insertedCrime and Courts Act 2013 s. 26(7)

An Act to make further provision with respect to the treatment of offenders and the position of children and young persons and persons having responsibility for them; to make provision with respect to certain services provided or proposed to be provided for purposes connected with the administration of justice or the treatment of offenders; to make financial and other provision with respect to that administration; and for connected purposes.

[25th July 1991] E1

C1C2Be 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:—

Annotations to the whole text

Modifications

C1

By Criminal Justice Act 1991 (c. 53, SIF 39:1), s. 101(1), Sch. 12 para. 23; S.I. 1991/2208, art. 2(1), Sch.1 it is provided (14.10.1991) that in relation to any time before the commencement of s. 70 of that 1991 Act (which came into force on 1.10.1992 by S.I. 1992/333, art. 2(2), Sch. 2) references in any enactment amended by that 1991 Act, to youth courts shall be construed as references to juvenile courts.

Act: functions restricted from exercise in Scotland (30.6.1999) by S.I. 1999/1748, art. 8(2), Sch. 4 Pt. I, II paras. 1(1)(2), 6(1)(2)

C2

Act applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) by The Employment Support Allowance (Transitional Provisions, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit) (Existing Awards) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/875), reg. 16, Sch. 2 (which amending S.I. was revoked (27.8.2010) by S.I. 2010/1906, reg. 2)

Act applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (1.10.2010) by The Employment Support Allowance (Transitional Provisions, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit) (Existing Awards) (No. 2) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/1907), regs. 1, 16, Sch. 2

Extent

E1

Nothing in s. 102(4) shall affect the extent of this Act in so far as it amends or repeals any provision of the Army Act 1955, the Air Force Act 1955, the Naval Discipline Act 1957 or the Armed Forces Act 1991; see s. 102(8).

This Act extends to England and Wales only except as mentioned in s.102(5)-(8)

Contents

  1. Part I: Powers of Courts to deal with Offenders
  2. Custodial sentences
  3. 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  4. 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  5. 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  6. 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  7. 5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  8. Community sentences
  9. 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  10. 7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  11. Probation and community service orders
  12. 8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  13. 9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  14. 10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  15. 11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  16. Curfew orders
  17. 12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  18. 13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  19. Orders: supplemental
  20. 14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  21. 15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  22. 16Reciprocal enforcement of certain orders.
  23. Financial penalties
  24. 17Increase of certain maxima.
  25. 18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  26. 19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  27. 20. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  28. 20AFalse statements as to financial circumstances.
  29. Financial penalties: supplemental
  30. 21. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  31. 22. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  32. 23Default in other cases.
  33. 24Recovery of fines etc. by deductions from universal credit and income support.
  34. Miscellaneous
  35. 25. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  36. 26Alteration of certain penalties.
  37. 27Treatment of offenders under 1983 Act.
  38. Supplemental
  39. 28. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  40. 29. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  41. 30Rules, regulations and orders.
  42. 31. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  43. Part II: Early Release of Prisoners
  44. Preliminary
  45. 32The Parole Board.
  46. New arrangements for early release
  47. 33Duty to release short-term and long-term prisoners.
  48. 33ADuty to release prisoners: special cases.
  49. 34. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  50. 34APower to release short-term prisoners on licence.
  51. 35Power to release long-term and life prisoners.
  52. 36Power to release prisoners on compassionate grounds.
  53. 37Duration and conditions of licences.
  54. 37ACurfew condition to be included in licence under section 34A.
  55. Misbehaviour after release
  56. 38. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  57. 38ABreach of curfew condition.
  58. 39Recall of long-term and life prisoners while on licence.
  59. 40. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  60. 40ARelease on licence following return to prison.
  61. Remand time and additional days
  62. 41Remand time to count towards time served.
  63. 42Additional days for disciplinary offences.
  64. Special cases
  65. 43Young offenders.
  66. 44Extended sentences for sexual or violent offenders.
  67. 44ARe-release of prisoners serving extended sentences.
  68. 45Fine defaulters and contemnors.
  69. 46Persons liable to removal from the United Kingdom.
  70. 46AEarly removal of persons liable to removal from United Kingdom
  71. 46BRe-entry into United Kingdom of offender removed early from prison
  72. 47Persons extradited to the United Kingdom.
  73. 48Life prisoners transferred to England and Wales.
  74. Supplemental
  75. 49Alteration by order of relevant proportions of sentences.
  76. 50Transfer by order of certain functions to Board.
  77. 51Interpretation of Part II.
  78. Part III: Children and Young Persons
  79. Children’s evidence
  80. 52Competence of children as witnesses. Repealed
  81. 53Notices of transfer in certain cases involving children. Repealed
  82. 54Video recordings of testimony from child witnesses.
  83. 55Further amendments of enactments relating to children’s evidence.
  84. Responsibilities of parent or guardian
  85. 56Attendance at court of parent or guardian.
  86. 57. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  87. 58. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  88. Detention etc. pending trial
  89. 59Detention at a police station.
  90. 60Remands and committals to local authority accommodation.
  91. 61Provision by local authorities of secure accommodation. Repealed
  92. 61ACost of secure accommodation. Repealed
  93. 62Transitory provisions pending provision of secure accommodation.
  94. Young offenders
  95. 63. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  96. 64. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  97. 65Supervision of young offenders after release. Repealed
  98. 66. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  99. 67. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  100. Miscellaneous
  101. 68Persons aged 17 to be treated as young persons for certain purposes.
  102. 69Non-appearance of persons aged 16 or 17: plea of guilty. Repealed
  103. 70Renaming of juvenile courts etc.
  104. 71Amendments to service law. Repealed
  105. 72Repeal of certain provisions not brought in force. Repealed
  106. Part IV: Provision of Services
  107. Probation services
  108. 73. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  109. 74. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  110. 75. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  111. Court security
  112. 76Provision of court security officers. Repealed
  113. 77Powers and duties of court security officers. Repealed
  114. 78Protection of court security officers. Repealed
  115. 79Duties of responsible authorities.
  116. Prisoner escorts
  117. 80Arrangements for the provision of prisoner escorts.
  118. 81Monitoring etc. of prisoner escort arrangements.
  119. 82Powers and duties of prisoner custody officers acting in pursuance of such arrangements.
  120. 83Breaches of discipline by prisoners under escort.
  121. Contracted out prisons
  122. 84Contracting out prisons etc.
  123. 85Officers of contracted out prisons.
  124. 86Powers and duties of prisoner custody officers employed at contracted out prisons.
  125. 86APower of prisoner custody officers to detain suspected offenders
  126. 86BPowers of authorised persons to perform custodial duties
  127. 87Consequential modifications of 1952 Act.
  128. 88Intervention by the Secretary of State.
  129. Contracted out functions
  130. 88AContracted out functions at directly managed prisons.
  131. Supplemental
  132. 89Certification of prisoner custody officers
  133. 90Protection of prisoner custody officers.
  134. 91Wrongful disclosure of information.
  135. 92Interpretation of Part IV.
  136. Part V: Financial and Other Provisions
  137. Cash limits
  138. 93Cash limits for magistrates’ courts.
  139. 94. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  140. Miscellaneous
  141. 95Information for financial and other purposes.
  142. 96. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  143. 97. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  144. Part VI: Supplemental
  145. 98Expenses etc. under Act.
  146. 99General interpretation.
  147. 100Minor and consequential amendments.
  148. 101Transitional provisions, savings and repeals.
  149. 102Short title, commencement and extent.
  150. Schedule 1: Amendments of 1973 Act
  151. IProvisions Inserted as Sections 1A to 1C
  152. IIProvisions Inserted as Schedule 1A
  153. Schedule 2: Enforcement etc. of Community Orders
  154. Part I: Preliminary
  155. 1Paragraph 1
  156. Part II: Breach of Requirement of Order
  157. Issue of summons or warrant
  158. 2Paragraph 2
  159. Powers of magistrates’ court
  160. 3Paragraph 3
  161. Powers of Crown Court
  162. 4Paragraph 4
  163. Exclusions
  164. 5Paragraph 5
  165. Supplemental
  166. 6Paragraph 6
  167. 6AParagraph 6A
  168. Part III: Revocation of Order
  169. Revocation of order with or without re-sentencing
  170. 7Paragraph 7
  171. 8Paragraph 8
  172. 8AParagraph 8A
  173. Revocation of order following custodial sentence
  174. 9Paragraph 9
  175. 10Paragraph 10
  176. Supplemental
  177. 11Paragraph 11
  178. 11AParagraph 11A
  179. 11BParagraph 11B
  180. Part IV: Amendment of Order
  181. Amendment by reason of change of residence
  182. 12Paragraph 12
  183. Amendment of requirements of probation or curfew order
  184. 13Paragraph 13
  185. Amendment of certain requirements of probation order
  186. 14Paragraph 14
  187. Amendment of drug treatment and testing order
  188. 14AParagraph 14A
  189. Extension of community service order
  190. 15Paragraph 15
  191. Supplemental
  192. 16Paragraph 16
  193. 17Paragraph 17
  194. 18Paragraph 18
  195. Schedule 3: Reciprocal Enforcement of Certain Orders
  196. Part I: Transfer of Community Orders to Scotland or Northern Ireland
  197. Probation orders: Scotland
  198. 1Paragraph 1
  199. Probation orders: Northern Ireland
  200. 2Paragraph 2
  201. Community service orders: Scotland
  202. 3Paragraph 3
  203. Community service orders: Northern Ireland
  204. 4Paragraph 4
  205. Combination orders: Scotland
  206. 5Paragraph 5
  207. General
  208. 6Paragraph 6
  209. Part II: Transfer of Corresponding Orders from Scotland
  210. Probation orders
  211. 7Paragraph 7
  212. Community service orders
  213. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  214. Supervision requirements
  215. 9Paragraph 9
  216. Part III: Transfer of Probation Orders from Northern Ireland
  217. 10Paragraph 10
  218. 11Paragraph 11
  219. Schedule 4: Increase of Certain Maxima
  220. ISubstitution of Other Amounts
  221. IISubstitution of Levels on Standard Scale
  222. IIISubstitution of Statutory Maximum
  223. Part IV: Provisions Substituted for Schedule 6A to 1980 Act
  224. Paragraph
  225. Part V: Other Amendments
  226. 1Paragraph 1
  227. 2Paragraph 2
  228. 3Paragraph 3
  229. 4Paragraph 4
  230. Schedule 5
  231. Status and capacity
  232. 1Paragraph 1
  233. Membership
  234. 2Paragraph 2
  235. Payments to members
  236. 3Paragraph 3
  237. Proceedings
  238. 4Paragraph 4
  239. Staff
  240. 5Paragraph 5
  241. Reports
  242. 6Paragraph 6
  243. Financial provisions
  244. 7Paragraph 7
  245. Authentication of Board’s seal
  246. 8Paragraph 8
  247. Presumption of authenticity of documents issued by Board
  248. 9Paragraph 9
  249. Accounts and audit
  250. 10Paragraph 10
  251. Reports
  252. 11Paragraph 11
  253. Schedule 6
  254. Repealed
  255. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  256. Repealed
  257. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  258. Repealed
  259. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  260. Repealed
  261. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  262. Repealed
  263. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  264. Repealed
  265. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  266. Repealed
  267. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  268. Repealed
  269. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  270. Repealed
  271. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  272. Schedule 7Schedule 7
  273. Schedule 8: Amendments for Treating Persons Aged 17 as Young Persons
  274. Children and Young Persons Act 1933 (c.12)
  275. 1Paragraph 1
  276. Prison Act 1952 (c.52)
  277. 2Paragraph 2
  278. Children and Young Persons Act 1963 (c.37)
  279. 3Paragraph 3
  280. Children and Young Persons Act 1969 (c.54)
  281. 4Paragraph 4
  282. Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (c.53)
  283. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  284. Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (c.43)
  285. 6Paragraph 6
  286. Schedule 9: Amendments to Service Law
  287. Army Act 1955 (c.18) and Air Force Act 1955 (c.19)
  288. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  289. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  290. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  291. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  292. Naval Discipline Act 1957 (c.53)
  293. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  294. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  295. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  296. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  297. Schedule 10: Certification of Prisoner Custody Officers
  298. Preliminary
  299. 1Paragraph 1
  300. Issue of certificates
  301. 2Paragraph 2
  302. Suspension of certificate
  303. 3Paragraph 3
  304. Revocation of certificate
  305. 4Paragraph 4
  306. False statements
  307. 5Paragraph 5
  308. Schedule 11: Minor and Consequential Amendments
  309. Children and Young Persons Act 1933 (c.12)
  310. 1Paragraph 1
  311. Criminal Justice Act 1967 (c.80)
  312. 2Paragraph 2
  313. Criminal Appeal Act 1968 (c.19)
  314. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  315. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  316. Civil Evidence Act 1968 (c.64)
  317. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  318. Children and Young Persons Act 1969 (c. 54)
  319. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  320. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  321. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  322. Vehicles (Excise) Act 1971 (c.10)
  323. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  324. Powers of Criminal Courts Act 1973 (c.62)
  325. 10Paragraph 10 Repealed
  326. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  327. 12Paragraph 12 Repealed
  328. 13Paragraph 13 Repealed
  329. 14Paragraph 14 Repealed
  330. 15Paragraph 15 Repealed
  331. 16Paragraph 16 Repealed
  332. 17Paragraph 17 Repealed
  333. Juries Act 1974 (c.23)
  334. 18Paragraph 18 Repealed
  335. Solicitors Act 1974 (c.47)
  336. 19Paragraph 19 Repealed
  337. Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (c.53)
  338. 20Paragraph 20
  339. Bail Act 1976 (c.63)
  340. 21Paragraph 21 Repealed
  341. 22Paragraph 22
  342. Licensed Premises (Exclusion of Certain Persons) Act 1980 (c.32)
  343. 23Paragraph 23
  344. Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (c.43)
  345. 24Paragraph 24 Repealed
  346. 25Paragraph 25
  347. 26Paragraph 26 Repealed
  348. 27Paragraph 27
  349. 28Paragraph 28
  350. Contempt of Court Act 1981 (c.49)
  351. 29Paragraph 29
  352. Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c.48)
  353. 30Paragraph 30 Repealed
  354. 31Paragraph 31 Repealed
  355. 32Paragraph 32 Repealed
  356. 33Paragraph 33 Repealed
  357. 34Paragraph 34 Repealed
  358. Repatriation of Prisoners Act 1984 (c.47)
  359. 35Paragraph 35
  360. Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 (c.23)
  361. 36Paragraph 36
  362. Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c.33)
  363. 37Paragraph 37
  364. Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 (c.53)
  365. 38Paragraph 38 Repealed
  366. Extradition Act 1989 (c.33)
  367. 39Paragraph 39 Repealed
  368. References to juvenile courts
  369. 40Paragraph 40
  370. References to juvenile court panels
  371. 41Paragraph 41
  372. Schedule 12: Transitional Provisions and Savings
  373. Custodial and community sentences
  374. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  375. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  376. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  377. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  378. Community orders: supplemental
  379. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  380. Financial penalties
  381. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  382. 6AParagraph 6A
  383. Increase of certain penalties
  384. 7Paragraph 7
  385. Early release: general
  386. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  387. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  388. 10Paragraph 10 Repealed
  389. Early release of young persons detained under 1933 Act
  390. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  391. Early release of prisoners serving extended sentences
  392. 12Paragraph 12 Repealed
  393. Early release of fine defaulters and contemnors
  394. 13Paragraph 13 Repealed
  395. Responsibilities of parent or guardian
  396. 14Paragraph 14 Repealed
  397. Remands and committals of children and young persons
  398. 15Paragraph 15
  399. 16Paragraph 16
  400. Custodial sentences for young offenders
  401. 17Paragraph 17 Repealed
  402. 18Paragraph 18
  403. Supervision of young offenders after release
  404. 19Paragraph 19
  405. Supervision orders
  406. 20Paragraph 20 Repealed
  407. Attendance centre orders
  408. 21Paragraph 21 Repealed
  409. Provisions for treating persons aged 17 as young persons
  410. 22Paragraph 22
  411. Renaming of juvenile courts etc.
  412. 23Paragraph 23
  413. Supplemental
  414. 24Paragraph 24
  415. Schedule 13Repeals