Prisoner privileges and rights

Prisoners who follow rules can earn privileges. This is called the ‘Incentives and Earned Privileges Scheme’. A prisoner may be able to:

  • get more visits from family or friends
  • be allowed to spend more money each week 

Privileges are different in each prison - staff can explain to the prisoner how the scheme works.

Rights

Prisoners have rights, including:

  • protection from bullying and racial harassment
  • being able to get in contact with a solicitor
  • healthcare - including support for a mental health condition

All prisoners should be able to spend between 30 minutes and an hour outside in the open air each day.

Punishments

A prisoner who breaks prison rules is normally punished. They can be:

  • kept in their cell for up to 21 days
  • given up to 42 extra days in prison on top of their original sentence

The prison can take away privileges, for example removing a TV from a cell.