For the first time, Governors will be able to impose “payback
punishments” on prisoners who behave badly in jail, such as
damaging prison property or being disrespectful to staff.
Punishments will vary from prison to prison, but could include
repairing broken items, clearing shared or disused spaces, and
litter picking. Offenders who refuse to carry out their payback
punishment could have their prison work earnings blocked or
privileges forfeited.
These new powers will build on the action Governors can already
take if an offender commits a crime while behind bars.
It will remain the case that in the most serious incidents,
for example sexual assault or selling drugs, tougher prison
punishments could be handed out. In these cases, the crime will
be reported to the police and perpetrators face the prospect of
new convictions and time behind bars.
Prisons and Probation Minister said:
Discipline is the cornerstone of a prison that is safe for staff
and where offenders are put on track to become law-abiding
citizens.
Unruly behaviour is not tolerated and these new punishments will
help force prisoners to realise their disruptive actions have
tough consequences.
These punishments are inspired by the community payback schemes
running in communities up and down the country where offenders
are forced to clean up graffiti or fly-tipping and visibly atone
for their crimes.
