Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service runs all public prisons in England and Wales. The purpose of this organisation is to managing prisons and supporting effective offender management. The CEO of HMPPS reports to the Secretary of State for Justice.
The main functions of prisons are punishment for crimes, isolating offenders from society and acting as a deterrent from committing offences. Prison officers are those responsible for enforcing rules and keeping order within prisons, supervising prisoners and performing security checks.
The operation of prisons in the country, rights and duties of prison officers are governed by the Prison Act 1952.
Prisoners have certain rights while being in custody:
- protection from bullying and racial harassment
- being able to contact a solicitor
- right to healthcare – including support for a mental health condition
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