S.L. 260.3 Art. 12Allocation, classification and separation of prisoners.

(1) In allocating prisoners to different prisons, or to different sections or divisions of a prison, or to different prison regimes, due account shall be taken of their judicial and legal situation and due distinction shall be made, as far as practicable, between the following:

(a) male and female prisoners;

(b) unconvicted and convicted prisoners;

(c) prisoners sentenced to detention and other prisoners;

(d) prisoners under twenty-one years of age and prisoners over that age;

(e) prisoners sentenced to imprisonment for the first time and those sentenced more than once; and

(f) short-term and long-term prisoners.

(2) Due regard shall also be had to any special requirements of the training programmes drawn up for prisoners and of their medical needs.

(3) Male and female prisoners shall, as far as possible, be kept in separate prisons staffed, except for the Director, the Assistant Director and the Chaplain, by prison officers of the same sex as the prisoners. If the prison receives both male and female prisoners the provisions of sub-regulation (7) shall apply.

(4) Prisoners under twenty-ore years of age shall be kept under conditions which take account of the needs of their age and protect them from harmful influences.

(5) As far as it can reasonably be done -

(a) unconvicted prisoners and prisoners sentenced to detention shall be kept out of contact with other prisoners;

(b) prisoners who by reason of their criminal record or their personality may exercise a harmful influence shall be kept separate from, and out of contact with other prisoners; and

(c) prisoners sentenced to more than one year imprisonment shall be kept separate from those undergoing shorter sentences.

(6) Nothing in this regulation shall require a prisoner to be deprived unduly of the society of other persons or prevent prisoners who are to be kept separate from, or out of contact with, others, from taking part, under supervision, in organised activities beneficial to prisoners forming part of an authorised training programme.

(7) If the prison receives both male and female prisoners the whole of the premises allocated to either sex shall be kept entirely separate and have a separate entrance and exit. If there is an intercommunicating door the key shall be kept in the exclusive possession of the Director and, when he is not present, in the possession of an officer authorised by him. Admissions, searches, medical examinations and interviews or other procedures required or permitted under these regulations shall take place in the section of the prison allocated to the prisoner concerned according to sex, and any medical attention needed shall be given in the same section.