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Guidance: Use of force in prisons: PSO 1600

Ministry Of Justice

January 3
13:08 2024

Use of force: PSO 1600

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Details

This prison service order (PSO) contains guidance on the use of force in prisons. It covers:

  • the law relating to use of force
  • how to decide when it is right and appropriate to use force, such as control and restraint techniques
  • how to ensure the level of force used is necessary and proportionate
  • how to recognise when someone you are restraining or about to restrain is in medical distress
  • types of force, including personal safety techniques, control and restraint (C&R) and use of batons
  • other ways to resolve conflict
  • training
  • recording and reporting on use of force

This is a current PSO. It came into effect on 31 August 2005.

Published 31 August 2005
Last updated 3 January 2024 +show all updates
  1. Amended for December 2023

  2. First published.

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