Prison: What can I take into Prison with me?
The following is an extract from the Prison Service Order covering prisoners' property. Please bear in mind that individual prisons have different policies about property and Governors have the right to impose local rules if they are appropriate. Lists of the local rules for property are usually displayed in the reception area and on wings.
In addition to the items listed below, some prisons will allow other items of property to be 'earned' through the incentives and privileges scheme. These cannot be taken in initially, but may be brought in by friends or family once the privilege has been awarded. Details will be made known to you in the prison.
'Volumetric control' basically means that the amount of property you can have with you is limited by volume. The current size limit is that your possessions must fit into two volumetric control boxes which are used by the prison to measure how much property you are trying to bring in with you. A single box measures 0.7m by 0.55m by 0.25m and has a volume of 0.9625 cubic metres.
Items that may be held in possession
- Prisoners may retain in-possession authorised property appropriate to their privilege level under any locally operating incentives and Earned Privileges (IEP) scheme or facilities list, subject to the limitations of volumetric control. The following items are commonly allowed to be held in possession, but Governors may vary the list as they consider appropriate for local circumstances:
- newspapers, magazines and books (excluding anything the Governor considers offensive or inappropriate under paragraph 3.2 above).
- a combined sound system, or a radio combined with a record, cassette or compact disc player, with records, cassettes or CD's, and earphones, provided that the Governor is satisfied that it will not interfere with the local radio net.
- a computer, floppy discs, etc, (as set out in the National Security Framework (NSF) guidance on 'IT for Legal Work').
- smoking materials (where smoking is allowed), including up to 62.5 grams of loose tobacco, or 80 cigarettes or cigars or a combination of both for convicted prisoners, or 137.5 grams or 180 cigarettes for unconvicted prisoners.
- locally approved games including approved electronic games and players.
- materials related to cell hobbies at the discretion of the Governor (who should take account of any potential risk to security, health and safety, or good order and discipline.
- one birdcage and one small bird, where birds are allowed. The prisoner will be responsible for the care of the bird, including feeding, cleaning of the cage, and any veterinary fees.
- writing and drawing materials. Governors may remove from possession any writing or artwork which they consider poses a threat to security or good order or discipline.
- a wrist watch, excluding any with additional functions which may pose a risk to security (eg. built in camera, hidden compartment, etc).
- an electric shaver.
- batteries for personal possessions, of an approved type and quantity.
- toiletries for personal use.
- one wedding ring or other plain ring.
- one medallion or locket.
- religious texts and artefacts, and incense (see paragraphs 1.45 and 2.26-2.30 of the Religion Manual PSO 4550 and the faith annexes at chapter one of that PSO).
- photographs and pictures, in unglazed frames (excluding any the Governor considers offensive or inappropriate under paragraph 3.2 above.
- unpadded greetings cards.
- a calendar.
- a diary or personal organiser (possession of an electronic diary organiser must be balanced against security and safety considerations - see paragraph 1 of the NSF guidance on 'IT for Legal Work').
- an address book.
- postage stamps and envelopes.
- medication (including items used by diabetics), provided that the Governor and health care staff are satisfied that the potential risk to the prisoner's health and safety is acceptable, and that arrangements are in place for the appropriate and safe storage of the medication to minimise the risk to other prisoners and maintain in the integrity of the medicine. Otherwise, medication, drugs and prescriptions must be retained by health care staff.
- disability aids (subject to security checks).
In addition to the two box limit, prisoners can also take the following items in with them as they would not normally fit into a box.
Volumetric Control Exemptions Annex B
- One birdcage (in establishments where birds are permitted) is exempt from volumetric control. Other items which may be held in possession outside the volumetric control limits include:
- a sound system or, as an alternative to a sound system, another item which is too large to fit into an empty volumetric control box (eg. a guitar or other musical instrument).
- legal papers, including those relating to appeals or lite sentence reviews. Governors should encourage prisoners to hand out legal papers they no longer need to retain, and must ensure that legal papers retained in possession are searched effectively (with proper regard for confidentiality).
- bedding up to the standard cell scale issue. Additional bedding is subject to volumetric control.
- one set of clothing (whether prisoner's own clothing or prison issue), including that worn when the volume of property is monitored.
- posters etc which are appropriate to be attached to cell walls; posters must not be attached to external walls.
- items held by unconvicted prisoners under Prison Rule 43(1) (ie, books, newspapers, writing materials and other means of occupation) (see also PSO 4600, Annex B, paragraph 2).
- items held in possession for the care of babies in mother and baby units; Governors must be satisifed that such items are held for this purpose, and that the quantity held does not impede effective searching.
- religious texts and artefacts, and incense, essential for the practice of the prisoner's religion (see paragraphs 1.45 and 2.26-2.30 of PSO 4550 (Religion Manual) and the faith annexes at chapter one of that PSO).
2. Governors must consider applications by individual prisoners for additional items to be held in possession, exceptionally, outside volumetric control limits (eg. outsize medical equipment).
3. Education materials, food, consumables, cooking utensils, and cell hobbies items held in possession are subject to volumetric control. Governors may arrange for such items to be held in the Education Department or in wing communal freezers or kitchens, and must ensure that they are included in the local searching strategy.
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