Prisons Regulations · 2002 Revised Edition · Part 2 · Administration of Prison
16. Use of force
Feedback & supportLast amended by an amending law of 2026.
A prison officer may use force on a prisoner if all the following conditions are met:
the use of force is necessary —
to prevent the prisoner from causing self-injury, injuring others, or escaping; or
to ensure the safety, security or good order of the prison;
the use of force complies with the Prison Standing Orders or guidelines approved by the Commissioner;
the use of force does not exceed what is reasonably necessary in the circumstances.
If a prison officer uses force on a prisoner in a prison or a prisoner who is being escorted from a prison —
the prisoner must, as soon as practicable, be brought to a medical officer, a registered medical practitioner, or an enrolled nurse or a registered nurse within the meanings given by section 2 of the Nurses and Midwives Act 1999 —
to be examined for injury; and
for any injury and other observations to be recorded; and
a report of the matter must immediately be made to the Superintendent of the prison.
To avoid doubt, this regulation does not affect section 81B of the Act.
Subregulation 1
A prison officer may use force on a prisoner if all the following conditions are met:
the use of force is necessary —
to prevent the prisoner from causing self-injury, injuring others, or escaping; or
to ensure the safety, security or good order of the prison;
the use of force complies with the Prison Standing Orders or guidelines approved by the Commissioner;
the use of force does not exceed what is reasonably necessary in the circumstances.
Subregulation 2
If a prison officer uses force on a prisoner in a prison or a prisoner who is being escorted from a prison —
the prisoner must, as soon as practicable, be brought to a medical officer, a registered medical practitioner, or an enrolled nurse or a registered nurse within the meanings given by section 2 of the Nurses and Midwives Act 1999 —
to be examined for injury; and
for any injury and other observations to be recorded; and
a report of the matter must immediately be made to the Superintendent of the prison.
Subregulation 3
To avoid doubt, this regulation does not affect section 81B of the Act.