Prison service instructions (PSIs)

Index and notes

This page lists all current prison service instructions (PSIs). Since 2019, all new prison operational policies are published as policy frameworks.

If the PSI you want is not listed here, check the PSI index. This document lists every PSI issued and includes details of those which have been cancelled, updated or replaced by a policy framework. The index also includes the most up-to-date contact details for the owner of each PSI.

A PSI remains in force until it is formally cancelled, even if the document has passed its expiry date.

Some PSIs are not published here because they are restricted or sensitive. HR and other staff-related PSIs are not published here but are available on your departmental intranet.

If you have any questions about the contents on this page or would like an electronic copy of a cancelled policy, please , email ops3@justice.gov.uk.

Related content

Probation instructions

Prison service orders

Prison service instructions index (PDF, 3.063.07 MB, 224222 pages)

2018 instructions

Number	Title
05/2018	Prison adjudications policy
04/2018	Records information management policy

2017 instructions

Number	Title
07/2017	Regime management planning
05/2017	Separating prisoners from the general population
04/2017	Use of body cameras

2016 instructions

Number	Title
18/2016	Public protection manual
16/2016	Information sharing agreements
15/2016	Sharing sensitive information with the Parole Board
14/2016	Handling prisoner applications to marry or form a civil partnership
11/2016	Health and safety management arrangements for manual handling operations (MS Word)
10/2016	Consulting on occupational health, safety and fire issues
09/2016	Procedures for searching cells, areas and vehicles
08/2016	Dealing with evidence
07/2016	Procedures for searching people
06/2016	Information risk management
05/2016	Faith and pastoral care for prisoners
04/2016	Monitoring and managing prisoner communications
03/2016	Adult social care
02/2016	Managing accidents and injuries in prison

2015 instructions

Number	Title
38/2015	Arrangements for the monitoring and measurement of health and safety performance (PDF)
37/2015	Health and safety arrangements for risk assessment (PDF)
36/2015	Health and safety arrangements for workplace inspection (PDF)
30/2015	Amendments to the use of force policy
27/2015	Open source research on the internet and social networking sites (PDF)
23/2015	Centralised case supervision system for restricted status women and women with complex needs (PDF)
21/2015	Unauthorised possession of knives and other offensive weapons in prison (PDF)
20/2015	Cell sharing risk assessments
18/2015	Radiation safety of X-ray equipment (PDF)
17/2015	Prisoners assisting other prisoners
16/2015	Keeping adult prisoners safe
14/2015	Disposing of unauthorised property
11/2015	Fire safety in prisons
10/2015	Managing prisoners who pose an escape risk
09/2015	Identifying potential high security prisoners
08/2015	People under supervision leaving England and Wales
07/2015	Early days in custody
06/2015	Managing health and safety
05/2015	Reconsideration of NOMS central vetting decisions by exception
04/2015	Prisoner rehabilitation services
02/2015	Prison service library (PDF)
01/2015	Placing prisoners who may be deported

2014 instructions

Number	Title
49/2014	Mother and baby units
46/2014	Crown copyright and licences (PDF)
42/2014	Exclusion of personnel for misconduct
41/2014	Referring probation cases for risk review
39/2014	Using offenders as mentors in the community and in custody
37/2014	Open prison and temporary release for prisoners who may be deported
32/2014	Drug appointments and drug licence conditions (PDF)
27/2014	Additional risk criteria for ex-offenders working in prison and community settings
25/2014	IT Security Policy
23/2014	Prison-NOMIS (PDF)
22/2014	Research applications
21/2014	Data gateway service: approval of data collections (PDF)
19/2014	Sentence planning
15/2014	Investigating incidents of serious self-harm or assault
14/2014	Case allocation
07/2014	Security vetting
05/2014	Checking the barred status of prisoners

2013 instructions

Number	Title
23/2013	Prisoner retail
08/2013	Reviewing the categorisation of high security prisoners
04/2013	Early removal of foreign national prisoners
03/2013	Medical emergency response codes

2012 instructions

Number	Title
44/2012	Prison security passes (MS Word)
42/2012	Close supervision centre (CSC) referral manual (MS Word)
32/2012	Open University higher education distance learning (MS Word)
29/2012	The instruction system: the approval and implementation of policy and instructions (MS Word)
17/2012	Certifying prisoner accommodation
14/2012	Implementation of the service specification for “Manage the sentence: pre and post-release from custody” (MS Word)
10/2012	Controlling banned (prohibited) items
09/2012	Implementation of the service specification for bail services (MS Word)
08/2012	Caring for young people in custody
07/2012	Implementation of the deliver accredited programmes specification (MS Word)
06/2012	Work and learning opportunities for prisoners
04/2012	Enablers of services in prisons (MS Word)
03/2012	Allocating prisoners to activities
01/2012	Managing prisoners’ money

2011 instructions

Number	Title
76/2011	Deducting money from prisoner wages
75/2011	Residential services
72/2011	Prison discharge policy
69/2011	Install, maintain and use prison radio equipment
64/2011	Managing prisoner safety in custody
63/2011	Managing the local security strategy
62/2011	Transferring children and young people between custody and hospital under the Mental Health Act (MS Word)
58/2011	Physical education for prisoners
57/2011	Managing tools and equipment securely in prisons
55/2011	Manage and keep prison keys and locks secure
52/2011	Repatriation and removal of foreign nationals
49/2011	Prisoner communications policy
47/2011	Prison adjudications policy (cases before Feb 2019)
44/2011	Providing prisoners with ID for bank applications
41/2011	Categorising young adult male prisoners
40/2011	Categorising adult male prisoners
39/2011	Categorising women prisoners
36/2011	Psychologist report format (SPR E) (MS Word)
32/2011	Ensuring equality
30/2011	Handling mobile phones and SIM cards found in prison
24/2011	Management and security of prisons at night
23/2011	Playing films, television and music in prison
22/2011	Prison bedding fire standards
19/2011	Searching stored property
16/2011	Managing prison visits
15/2011	Visits security
14/2011	Managing prison gates
13/2011	Communications and security during internal prisoner movements
12/2011	Managing prisoner property

2010 instructions and earlier

Number	Title
58/2010	The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
50/2010	Covert testing (MS Word)
44/2010	Prisoner meals
38/2010	Activities in prison
37/2010	Prisoners’ access to the media
28/2010	Custody compacts for use in custody (MS Word)
16/2010	Confiscation orders
14/2010	Managing risk in prison industries (MS Word)
31/2009	Compact based drugs testing (MS Word)
19/2009	Restricting access to prison server and PABX rooms (MS Word)
07/2009	Housing benefit continuance forms (MS Word)
25/2008	Removable media (MS Word)
06/2008	Introduction of Brent equipment (MS Word)
39/2007	Ensuring the safety of radiation equipment when transferring healthcare
34/2007	Reintroduction of disinfecting tablets
25/2007	Releasing prisoners with travel restriction orders
09/2006	Update to PSI 47/2003: Rationalisation of doctors’ duties in prisons (PDF)
47/2005	Resettlement (PDF)
46/2005	Prison drug treatment and self harm (PDF)
14/2005	Handling complaints about prison healthcare (PDF)
04/2005	Touchscreen prisoner information systems (MS Word)
10/2004	Model induction framework for healthcare staff (MS Word)
47/2003	Rationalisation of doctors’ duties in prisons (MS Word)
46/2003	Medical treatment of prison staff by healthcare workers (MS Word)
28/2003	Pharmacy services for prisoners (MS Word)
38/2002	Guidance on consent to medical treatment (MS Word)
25/2002	The protection and use of confidential health information in prisons (MS Word)
24/2002	Strategy for promoting health in prisons (MS Word)
40/2001	Night workers health assessment (MS Word)
48/2000	The bail system (PDF)
29/1998	Food Safety Act (PDF)
44/1997	Health and safety issues with contractors (PDF)

Some older prison service instructions have been archived by The National Archives and are made available here through the UK Government Web Archive.