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Prison and Probation Policy Framework
Civil Prisoners Policy Framework
Current
Criminal Justice Hub summary
Explains which prisoners must be treated as civil prisoners and the particular rights staff must provide, including clothing, correspondence, visits and voting. It also covers support to challenge or purge contempt of court. The framework applies to the adult estate, including prisons with dual designation; PSO 4600 continues for the youth estate.
Read the official policy
Useful information
- Document type
- Prison and Probation Policy Framework
- Geographical application
- England and Wales
- Applies to
- Civil prisoners in the adult prison estate, including prisons with dual designation. The youth secure estate remains covered by PSO 4600.
- Issuing organisation
- Ministry of Justice; HM Prison and Probation Service
- Issued
- 14 May 2026
- Effective from
- 14 May 2026
- Policy enquiries contact
-
Policy contact
Contact details recorded in this policy version dated 14 May 2026.
Replacement and related policies
Replaces PSO 4600 (library search) for the adult estate. PSO 4600 (library search) continues to apply in the youth secure estate.
Official source material: Crown copyright, available under the Open Government Licence v3.0, except where stated otherwise.