Index and notes

This page lists all current prison service orders (PSOs). From 2010, new prison operational policies were issued as prison service instructions (PSIs).

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

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

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

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

Policy frameworks

Prison service orders index (PDF, 636649 KB, 34 pages)

Prison service orders

Number	Title
9050	Functional mailboxes (MS Word)
9030	Handling and approval of requests for IT (MS Word)
8525	Enabling agreement on change proposals and resolving disputes (MS Word)
6300	Release on temporary licence (ROTL) from young offender institutions (YOIs) (MS Word)
6101	Providing bail information for prisoners on remand (PDF)
5901	Maintaining prison buildings
5400	Prison transport manual
4960	Managing young people convicted of serious crimes (MS Word)
4625	Producing prisoners at court for civil proceedings
4600	Treatment of unconvicted, unsentenced and civil prisoners
4480	Prisoner representative associations
4460	Paying prisoners for work and other activities
4455	Handling requests from prisoners to change their name
3805	Zoonotic infections
3802	Management of inadvertent exposure to asbestos (MS Word)
3800	Food Safety Act 1990: agricutural business enterprise (PDF)
3625	Testing of external drug workers (MS Word)
3601	Mandatory drug testing
3550	Treating prisoners for substance misuse
3200	Promoting healthy behaviours in prison (MS Word)
3100	Ensuring clinical governance in prison healthcare
3050	Ensuring continuity of healthcare for prisoners
2600	Legal issues relating to prisoners
2400	Democratic therapeutic communities for prisoners
1700	Management of segration units
1600	Use of force in prisons
1310	Preventing fraud
1300	Investigations (MS Word)
1025	Sharing risks and information about a prisoner escort or transfer
160	Hosting magistrates’ training visits (MS word)
101	Changes to young offender institution rules (MS Word)

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