Prisons Regulations · 2002 Revised Edition · Part 2 · Administration of Prison
17. Use of restraints on prisoners
Feedback & supportLast amended by an amending law of 2026.
A prison officer must not use a restraint on a prisoner unless authorised under this regulation.
A prison officer may use a restraint on a prisoner if all the following conditions are met:
the use of the restraint 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 restraint is of a type approved under the Prison Standing Orders;
the restraint is used in a way approved under the Prison Standing Orders.
A prison officer who uses a restraint on a prisoner must ensure that the restraint is removed immediately once it is no longer necessary.
To avoid doubt —
a prison officer must not use a restraint on a prisoner as punishment; and
this regulation does not affect section 81B of the Act.
Subregulation 1
A prison officer must not use a restraint on a prisoner unless authorised under this regulation.
Subregulation 2
A prison officer may use a restraint on a prisoner if all the following conditions are met:
the use of the restraint 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 restraint is of a type approved under the Prison Standing Orders;
the restraint is used in a way approved under the Prison Standing Orders.
Subregulation 3
A prison officer who uses a restraint on a prisoner must ensure that the restraint is removed immediately once it is no longer necessary.
Subregulation 4
To avoid doubt —
a prison officer must not use a restraint on a prisoner as punishment; and
this regulation does not affect section 81B of the Act.