C T PRISON RULES Prison Rules CAP. 36A Arrangement of Rules C T PRISON RULES Arrangement of Rules Rule DUTIES OF THE MINISTER OF POLICE..........................................................5 DUTIES OF THE GAOLERS OF EACH DISTRICT ...........................................6 THE MEDICAL OFFICER...................................................................................9 DUTIES OF THE FEMALE WARDER..............................................................10 PRISON SUBORDINATE OFFICERS..............................................................11 GATE-KEEPER ................................................................................................12 OFFENCES BY SUBORDINATE OFFICERS ..................................................12 GENERAL RULES FOR OFFICERS................................................................14 MAINTENANCE OF GOOD ORDER ...............................................................16 ADMISSION AND DISCHARGE OF PRISONERS ..........................................17 CLASSIFICATION ............................................................................................19 PRISONERS OF THE FIRST CLASS ..............................................................19 PRISONERS OF THE SECOND CLASS .........................................................19 to Page 3 Arrangement of Rules CAP. 36A Prison Rules PRISONERS OF THE THIRD CLASS .............................................................19 FOOD, CLOTHING AND BEDDING.................................................................20 PERSONAL CLEANLINESS ............................................................................21 HEALTH OF PRISONERS ...............................................................................21 RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION AND BOOKS ......................................................21 VISITS TO, AND COMMUNICATION WITH, PRISONERS .............................22 PRISON OFFENCES .......................................................................................23 PRISONERS UNDER SENTENCE OF DEATH...............................................25 MEANS OF RESTRAINTT FOR PRISONERS ................................................26 PRISONERS' LABOUR....................................................................................26 MARK SYSTEM ...............................................................................................27 SCHEDULE 1 SCHEDULE 2 30 31 ORDER OF LICENCE TO A PRISONER.........................................................31 Page 4 to Prison Rules CAP. 36A Rule 1 C T PRISON RULES Made by the Minister of Police on 27th January, 1947 G. 45/47, G.S. 29/64, Act 46/1988. DUTIES OF THE MINISTER OF POLICE 1. The Minister of Police is invested, subject to the orders of the Cabinet, with the general control and superintendence of all prisons within the Kingdom. He shall visit and inspect the prisons in Tongatapu once at least in each month and every other prison in the Kingdom whenever occasion permits. 2. He shall, on each visit, inspect and countersign all the books prescribed by these rules to be kept at each prison, and shall read the minutes, remarks, and all other records of the officers, as well as the journals and records of the medical officers, relating to occurrences since his last visit. 3. He shall, where possible, see every prisoner detained in the prison at the time of his visit, especially visiting those in solitary confinement or punishment cells and he shall inquire into all complaints and applications prisoners make to him, and make such order thereon as he shall think proper, provided that such order shall not be contrary to anything contained in the Prisons Act or in these Rules. 4. He shall submit to the Prime Minister annually, before the thirty-first day of March in each year, a report upon the prisons of the Kingdom for the preceding year, giving statistics of prisoners in such form as may be approved by the Cabinet, together with his remarks on every point of prison management. to Page 5 Rule 5 CAP. 36A Prison Rules 5. He shall, from time to time, submit to the Prime Minister special reports of such of the prisons as are not in a creditable state, with the explanation of the Gaoler concerned. 6. The Minister of Police shall have power, from time to time as he may deem proper, to remove from one prison to another subordinate officers appointed by Cabinet, and shall recommend, when he deems it necessary, the discharge of any other officer appointed by Cabinet. 7. The Minister of Police shall have power to offer rewards for the recapture of escaped prisoners, reporting in each instance to the Prime Minister. Such reward shall not exceed $10 in any one instance without the approval of the Cabinet. DUTIES OF THE GAOLERS OF EACH DISTRICT 8. The Gaoler of each District shall inspect daily the wards, cells, yards and divisions of the prison, also the kitchen, workshops and every cell or other place in which any prisoner is undergoing punishment, special discipline, or awaiting adjudication, and shall see every prisoner at least once in every 24 hours. He shall make surprise visits at night not less than twice a week. 9. He shall exercise a strict supervision over the officers and discipline of the prison, and shall report to the Minister of Police any irregularities on the part of any officer that may come under his notice. He shall also afford any information that the Visiting Officers may require. 10. He shall see that all returns are duly forwarded to the Minister of Police, and shall satisfy himself as to their accuracy. 11. He shall at all times be ready to receive and investigate any complaint and attend to any application from an officer or prisoner. 12. He shall visit sick prisoners frequently and see that proper arrangements are made for the safe custody of sick prisoners, and that discipline is maintained so far as is consistent with the medical treatment prescribed for them. 13. He shall read or cause to be read every letter addressed to or written by a prisoner except as provided by rule 147, marking all such letters with his initials. He shall use his discretion in communicating to or withholding from any prisoner at any time the contents of any letter addressed to such prisoner, but every case in which he may think it proper to withhold a letter shall be reported to the Minister of Police. 14. He shall enter in the journal any instance in which he may think fit to refuse admission to the friends of a prisoner and the cause thereof, if the prisoner is entitled under the rules to receive such a visit. Page 6 to Prison Rules CAP. 36A Rule 15 15. He shall frequently inspect the provisions furnished for the prisoners and satisfy himself by personal observation regarding the quality of food supplied for their use, and shall inquire into any complaints that may be made to him regarding the quantity and quality of rations. 16. He shall, without delay, call the attention of the medical officer to any prisoner whose state of mind or body appears to require attention and shall carry out any direction given by the medical officer. 17. Upon the death of a prisoner he shall give immediate notice to the Minister of Police and the Visiting Medical Officer. 18. He shall read or cause to be read to each prisoner on admission those sections of the Prisons Act and Rules relating to the conduct of prisoners in general, to the discipline of the prison and the punishments to which they are subject for any infringement of them. 19. He shall be personally responsible for the safe custody of all money and articles taken from prisoners and of all warrants, books and documents relating to the prison or prisoners. 20. He shall control and regulate the receipt and disposal of all articles used in the prison. He shall keep or cause to be kept the following books — (a) a Journal in which he shall record all such matters as he is directed to record therein, by these rules, and all other occurrences of importance within the prison; (b) a Register of the names, description, offences, sentences, religious persuasion, etc., of all prisoners (see rule 105) together with an Index Book for same; (c) a Punishment Book for the entry of the punishment inflicted on prisoners for prison offences; (d) a Visitors Book for the entry of any observations made by Visiting Officers; (e) a Prisoners' Property Book, in which shall be recorded the articles taken from prisoners on their reception; (f) a Distribution Book, or record of the employment of prisoners sentenced to hard labour, and the manner in which they have been so employed; (g) an inventory of all furniture and public property belonging to the prison; (h) an account of all prison receipts and disbursements; (i) a book for the entry of acts of misconduct and punishment of officers; (j) a Ration Book to be entered day by day; to Page 7 Rule 21 CAP. 36A 21. Prison Rules (k) a Stores Book, or register of all articles of clothing and all other articles supplied for the use of the prison or prisoners, recording distribution and use of the same; (l) a list of books and documents committed to his care; (m) a Reception Register, and Complaining Sick Journal, for the use of the Medical Officer; (n) a Mark Sheet of each prisoner; (o) An Order Book in which shall be entered all the records or recommendations which may be issued for guidance of officers, either by the Visiting Officers, the Minister of Police or the Gaoler himself. In addition to the foregoing list of books he shall make out and forward to the Minister of Police the following returns — (a) a return showing the distribution of prisoners and officers on the last working day of each week; (b) a list of prison offences committed by prisoners during the month and of all punishment inflicted, and under what and by whose authority. 22. He shall inspect the supplies of provisions furnished by the contractors and shall immediately report to the Minister of Police any instance in which he finds the stores deficient in quantity or not up to sample quality. 23. He shall afford just advice and assistance as may be necessary to enable prisoners to forward petitions to any authority. 24. He shall see that the keys are safely disposed of for the night. 25. He shall superintend generally the distribution of the working parties when proceeding to their labour and shall see that all prisoners are thoroughly searched before entering the prison and before being locked up for the night. 26. When proceeding in the course of his duties to any part of the works outside the prison or when leaving the prison on any other occasion, he shall leave the next senior officer on duty to attend to his duties within the prison with instructions where he is to be found in case of his presence being required. 27. He shall immediately report to the Minister of Police every circumstance which may come to his knowledge likely to affect the safety, health, or comfort of prisoners, the efficiency of the officers, and every matter which may require the attention of the Minister of Police. 28. He shall make inquiry weekly as to the condition of prisoners who have been removed to a hospital or asylum for treatment. Page 8 to Prison Rules CAP. 36A Rule 29 29. He shall, either himself or by his deputy, make frequent visits to the working parties and see that the prisoners are kept steadily to their labour, and that they are receiving marks according to their industry. 30. He shall see that all subordinate officers are properly instructed in their duties and responsibilities. 31. He shall promote the utmost economy in every department of the prison. 32. When the Gaoler is unable to perform his duties through illness or other cause, the charge of the prison shall devolve on the next senior officer in the prison. 33. He shall, before the twenty-fifth day of each month, forward to the Minister of Police a return of all prisoners for discharge during the following month. 34. He shall have a careful regard for economy and propose any saving or reduction in expenditure that may appear to be practicable. 35. He shall attend the reception and discharge of prisoners, and will take charge of the warrants of commitment, and shall be responsible for duly discharging prisoners. 36. He shall give a receipt for all prisoners and shall carefully file all warrants of commitment. 37. He shall see that the prison is kept in a cleanly state and that the walls and cells are swept and cleaned daily. 38. All prisoners shall be allowed to have ready access to him and he shall hear with patience any complaints they may make to him. 39. He shall at all times maintain an absolute control over all the prisoners and permit no disobedience. THE MEDICAL OFFICER 40. He shall visit all prisoners in solitary confinement or undergoing punishment. 41. He shall separately examine any prisoner as soon after his admission as possible, and no prisoner shall be allowed to associate with other prisoners who have been so examined until he has been examined by the medical officer. 42. He shall enter in a journal, to be kept at the prison in the custody of the Gaoler, an account of the state of each prisoner on admission and whether the prisoner is capable of hard labour, and, with any prisoner who is sick, the name of his disease, a description of the medicines and diet, and any other treatment which he may order for such prisoner. to Page 9 Rule 43 CAP. 36A Prison Rules 43. He shall, once at least in every month, inspect every part of the prison and enter in the journal aforesaid the result of such inspection, recording therein any observations he may think fit on any want of cleanliness, drainage, warmth, ventilation, on the quantity of provisions, sufficiency of clothing or bedding, quantity or quality of water, or any other matter which may concern the health of the prisoners. 44. On the death of any prisoner he shall enter in the journal aforesaid the particulars, viz., at what time the deceased was taken ill, when the illness was first communicated to the medical attendant, the nature of the disease, the date when he last saw the deceased, time of death, appearances after death (in cases where a post-mortem examination has been made), and any special remarks which appear to him requisite or advisable. 45. He shall, on receiving notice from the Minister of Police or Gaoler, attend the execution of every capital sentence and every infliction of corporal punishment within the prison. 46. He shall examine, when required, all candidates for employment as gaolers who may be sent to him for that purpose and shall report whether they possess the necessary qualifications as to health and strength to perform their work. 47. On the appearance of any infectious disease in the prison he shall immediately advise the Minister of Police and the Director of Health, and shall take steps to preserve prisoners against it and shall superintend the measures necessary for this purpose. DUTIES OF THE FEMALE WARDER 48. The female warder shall reside in the prison and have the care and superintendence of all female prisoners. 49. Unless prevented by unavoidable necessity she shall see every female prisoner at least once in every 24 hours. 50. She shall not be absent from the prison at night without permission of the Gaoler in charge. 51. She shall pay special attention to female prisoners who are ill or in solitary confinement and shall report to the Gaoler in charge any case in which she considers it advisable to summon the medical officer. 52. She shall at once report to the Gaoler in charge any breach of Prison Rules committed by female prisoners or any complaints made by them to her. 53. She shall enforce silence as far as possible and prevent all improper communication in those cases in which prisoners under special circumstances are allowed to communicate with each other. Page 10 to Prison Rules 54. CAP. 36A Rule 54 Especial care shall be taken that no male gaoler or visitor enters the female prison unless attended by a female warder. PRISON SUBORDINATE OFFICERS 55. They shall wear such uniform as shall be approved by the Cabinet. 56. The duties of subordinate officers shall be — (a) to prevent, by all possible means, the escape of prisoners; (b) to prevent them from contravening any of the Prison Rules; (c) to conduct them to and from their tasks when working inside or outside the prison; (d) to keep them at their appointed tasks in or out of the prison; (e) to supervise the prisoners at all times, in their cells and wards, especially so as to ensure safety, quiet, cleanliness and decency. 57. No subordinate officer shall leave the prison compound without the permission of the Gaoler in charge. 58. Every officer shall report to the Gaoler, as the case may be, every breach of prison discipline or rules by any officer or prisoner which may come to his knowledge. 59. They shall not use violence on any prisoner except in self-defence or in defence of some other officer or prisoner, or visitor, or when unavoidably necessary to prevent escape or to preserve the peace. 60. They shall treat prisoners with kindness and humanity and shall listen patiently to and report their grievances, but they shall be firm in maintaining order and discipline and in enforcing complete observance of the Prison Rules. 61. No warder or other subordinate officer shall punish or inflict any privation upon any prisoner. 62. Officers in charge of prisoners in association shall enforce silence as far as possible and shall prevent all improper communication in those cases in which prisoners under special circumstances are allowed to communicate with each other. 63. No officer shall unnecessarily converse with a prisoner nor allow any familiarity towards himself or any other officer nor shall he on any account speak of his duties, matters of discipline, prison arrangements, or of his own private affairs in the hearing of a prisoner. 64. On proceeding with prisoners to their labour the officer in charge of each party shall count the number of prisoners therein as they are told off and repeat the number aloud to the Gaoler, or other appointed officer in charge of the distribution, after which the officer in charge of the party shall be to Page 11 Rule 65 CAP. 36A Prison Rules responsible for the safe custody and regular conduct of such prisoners in the work and especially that they do not straggle, go out of his sight, or hold any communication with workmen or other persons unconnected with the prison or in any way get possession of unauthorised articles. 65. Prison officers shall search thoroughly prisoners on their return to prison and when locating them for the night shall ascertain that they have no improper articles in their possession. 66. No officer entrusted with keys shall take them out of the prison or leave them lying about, but shall, when leaving the prison on any occasion, deliver his keys to such officer as may be authorised to receive them. 67. No subordinate officer shall introduce or use tobacco or alcoholic liquors within the prison. GATE-KEEPER 68. The officer acting as gate-keeper may examine all articles carried in or out of the prison and may stop any person suspected of bringing tobacco or alcoholic liquors or other unauthorised articles into the prison, or of carrying out any property belonging to the prison, giving immediate notice thereof to the Gaoler, who may cause such person to be searched. 69. He shall be watchful to prevent the escape of prisoners, and he shall observe carefully the appearance of workmen, labourers, or strangers passing out through the gate, and, in order to detect any attempt on the part of a prisoner to escape in disguise, he shall stop and search any person whom he may have cause to suspect of making such attempt. 70. The officer acting as gate-keeper shall not leave his post at the gate on any occasion without the order of the Gaoler in charge. OFFENCES BY SUBORDINATE OFFICERS 71. If a subordinate officer is guilty of any of the following offences, namely — (1) coming late on duty, (2) leaving a cell or principal door or gate unlocked, (3) entering a prisoner's cell at night contrary to orders, (4) allowing any unauthorised person to communicate with a prisoner, (5) leaving keys in a door or lying about, (6) cursing, swearing, or using indecent or immoral language, (7) neglecting to guard, supervise, or attend prisoners under his charge, (8) speaking of the prison arrangements in the hearing of a prisoner or of any person not connected with the prison, Page 12 to Prison Rules (9) CAP. 36A Rule 71 carelessly searching, or neglecting, when necessary or directed, to search, a prisoner or a visitor, (10) neglecting to have the lamps properly trimmed and burning at the proper times and places, (11) neglecting to examine the cells and fastenings of the cells under his charge, and to examine and search the wards, cells, bedding and clothing, (12) allowing tools, materials, or other articles to be lying about out of their appointed places, (13) allowing dirt to accumulate in the wards, cells, passages or other places under his charge, (14) omitting to report any misconduct, breach of rules, or omission of duty in himself, another subordinate officer, or a prisoner, or any injury done to the prison furniture, or to the walls, windows, partitions, or any part of the prison. (15) inattention when in charge of prisoners, (16) allowing unauthorised persons to remain in the vicinity of prisoners, (17) appearing on duty out of uniform, or improperly or slovenly dressed or dirty, (18) leaving his post without authority, and before being properly relieved, (19) wrangling, talking of his private affairs in the hearing of prisoners, or making unnecessary noise, either within the prison or when on duty outside, (20) in any way obstructing the duties of the prison, (21) omitting, when sick and unable to attend the prison, to send notice to the Gaoler, (22) neglecting to count the prisoners at the time prescribed by these rules, or by the Gaoler, (23) allowing prisoners to stray from their work, neglecting to keep them in view, or enforce silence among them, (24) smoking or reading whilst on duty. (25) drunkenness, disobedience of, or negligence in carrying out, the Prison Rules, or any orders or directions given by proper authority, (26) when on duty as gate-keeper — (a) neglecting to keep the gates locked except when absolutely necessary to admit authorised persons and things, (b) to allowing a prisoner to leave the prison without being attended by Page 13 Rule 72 CAP. 36A Prison Rules a prison warder, (c) allowing unauthorised persons or improper things to go in or out of the prison, (27) omitting to peg the tell-tale clock or clocks, (28) disobedience of orders or negligence with respect to any Prison Rule not herein expressly mentioned or to any lawful order given by his superior officer or by any person in authority connected with the prison, he shall be liable to any of the following punishments imposed by the Minister of Police- — (a) forfeiture of any sum not exceeding half a month's salary; (b) confinement to the precincts of the prison for any term not exceeding 14 days; (c) reduction in rank; (d) suspension from duty. (Added, G.S. 29/64.) GENERAL RULES FOR OFFICERS 72. No officer shall at any time receive any money, fee, or gratuity of any kind from any person or from or on behalf of any prisoner on any pretext whatever. 73. Officers shall not be absent from the prison at any time without leave from the Gaoler. 74. Officers shall not receive visitors in the prison without the permission of the Gaoler. 75. Officers shall hold no communication with prisoners except such as is necessary in the execution of their duties. They shall not by word, gesture, or demeanour do anything which may tend to irritate a prisoner. 76. They shall call no prisoner by nickname nor shall they allow any familiarity on the part of a prisoner. 77. No officer shall strike a prisoner except in self-defence or in defence of some officer or prisoner, or visitor. 78. All officers shall observe and obey all such instructions as may be issued from time to time for the better management and discipline of the prison in which they be serving; and every subordinate officer shall perform such lawful duty as may be required of him. 79. No officer on any pretence whatever through favour, or other reason, shall fail to make an immediate report to the Gaoler of any misconduct or wilful disobedience of these rules. 80. All officers shall devote their whole time to their respective duties. None of them shall be engaged or concerned, directly or indirectly, in any trade Page 14 to Prison Rules CAP. 36A Rule 81 or other business or employment, outside of the public service, nor shall any of them, directly or indirectly, be a party to, or derive profit from, selling or letting any article whatever to the prison or to any prisoner. 81. The Gaoler and all subordinate officers shall always, when on duty, wear such uniform as may be prescribed. 82. Officers shall be allowed uniforms, or an allowance in lieu thereof, as may be laid down by Cabinet. 83. All articles supplied under the preceding rule shall remain the property of the Government. 84. Strict attention shall be paid by all officers to personal cleanliness in themselves and in the quarters allotted to them. 85. Every officer shall be responsible for the safe custody of the prisoners in his charge, for the preservation of decency, order, cleanliness, and peace among them, and for their performing diligently their allotted tasks. Officers should invariably exhibit a consistent example of regard to truth and integrity even in the smallest matters. 86. The Gaoler shall at all times receive complaints and applications from any officer and shall give all reasonable facilities for making complaint or application to the Minister of Police and Prison Visiting Officers or higher authority when visiting the prison. Complaints made to other officers shall be reported by them to the Gaoler without delay. 87. All officers must be of good moral principles and unblemished character; intoxication or disreputable conduct of any kind will render an officer liable to immediate dismissal. 88. Any officer who shall bring in or carry out of the prison, or attempt to bring in or carry out, to or from any prisoner any money, clothing, provisions, tobacco, letters, papers or any other unauthorised article shall be forthwith suspended from duty and be liable to dismissal. 89. Officers shall not make any unauthorised communication concerning the prison or prisoners to any person whatever, and shall not, without authority, communicate to the public information derived from official sources or connected with his duties or the prison. Any disregard of this rule will render the officer concerned liable to dismissal. 90. Every officer shall take the utmost care to guard against accidents by fire. No lights or fires shall be left burning unnecessarily or unattended in any part of the prison. No light shall at any time be carried about the prison unless it is enclosed in a lantern. 91. Subordinate officers shall be appointed on 2 years' probation (which may be extended if considered desirable) and shall be liable to dismissal on one month's notice if found unsuitable, and at any time without notice for to Page 15 Rule 92 CAP. 36A Prison Rules misconduct. In appointing officers to prisons, those candidates will be preferred who, if equally eligible on other grounds, have a knowledge of a trade which can be followed in prison, and all officers shall instruct prisoners in such trade if called upon to do so. (Amended, Act 46/1988.) 92. Subordinate officers shall be eligible for leave as laid down in the Civil Service Regulations. 93. No male officer shall enter the division of a prison allotted to female prisoners, except on duty, and on such occasions must be accompanied by a female officer. 94. Serious pecuniary embarrassment will be regarded as impairing the efficiency of an officer, and if occasioned by imprudence or other reprehensible cause will be held to be an offence, affecting the trustworthiness of the officer and the respectability of the service and the officer will forfeit his claim to promotion or increase of pay. 95. No officer of a prison shall lend money at interest or for any other valuable consideration; any officer offending against this rule shall be liable to dismissal or such lesser punishment as the Minister of Police may impose. MAINTENANCE OF GOOD ORDER 96. The prison shall be kept in a cleanly state and the walls of the wards, cells, rooms and passages shall be painted or lime-washed as occasion may require. The passages, rooms, wards and cells shall be scrubbed, washed or cleaned once a week, or oftener if needed. 97. Nothing shall be allowed to grow against the outer walls of the prison, nor shall any ladders, tools or implements of any kind, likely to facilitate escape, be unnecessarily exposed. 98. No dogs, pigs, poultry or other animals shall be kept in any part of the prison compound. 99. (1) The Minister of Police and the Visiting Officers may, at any time of the day or night, enter any prison of the Kingdom and inspect any part of such prison. They are also authorised to hear and inquire into any complaints of prison officers or prisoners, and to examine any of the prison books, records or stores. (2) The Minister of Public Works, the Foreman of Works and any workman of the Works Department may, at any time of the day, enter any prison of the Kingdom in the performance of their official duties. (3) A medical officer may also enter any prison at any time of the day or night, in pursuance of the regular duties of his office. Page 16 to Prison Rules (4) CAP. 36A Rule 100 Except as herein provided and subject to rules 144 to 150, no person shall be permitted to enter any prison except by the written order of the Minister of Police. 100. No person other than prisoners and prison officers on duty and those persons mentioned in rule 99 shall be allowed to be or remain in the prison between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5.30 a.m. 101. No person shall be employed in enforcing the discipline of the prison, or in the service of any officer or prisoner, except as authorised by these rules. 102. No gaming shall be permitted in the prison, and no dice, cards, or other instruments of gaming shall be allowed to be introduced into the prison. 103. The prisoners shall be locked up in the evening and unlocked in the morning at such hours as may from time to time be directed. 104. Female prisoners shall be kept entirely separate from male prisoners, and shall be confined in different buildings. The locks of the female prison shall be different from those used for the male prison, and the keys shall be kept in the custody of the female warder. Juvenile prisoners and prisoners convicted for the first time shall also be separated from habitual criminals so far as the prison accommodation will allow. ADMISSION AND DISCHARGE OF PRISONERS 105. Immediately upon any prisoner entering the prison, the Gaoler or other appointed officer shall register in a book to be kept for the purpose, the prisoner's full name or names, and aliases (if any), sex, age, height, weight, features, particular marks and the offence for which he was committed or sentenced, the date and hour of admission, and the length of sentence. In the case of convicted criminal prisoners, all clothing, money and other effects shall be taken from them, and such property shall be recorded in a book kept for that purpose and called a Prisoners' Property Book. 106. All prisoners shall be searched on admission and the Gaoler shall take charge of any article which may be considered dangerous or inexpedient for the prisoner to retain. 107. Every prisoner shall, at the medical officer's next visit after his admission, be brought before him for examination, and the medical officer shall enter in a book to be kept by the Gaoler a record of the state of health of the prisoner and any observations or instructions which he may deem it expedient to add. 108. The child of a female prisoner may be received into prison with its mother, provided it is being nursed at the breasts or is in the opinion of the committing magistrate too young to be separated from its mother. In all to Page 17 Rule 109 CAP. 36A Prison Rules such cases an authority from the committing magistrate for the child's admission shall accompany the prisoner on reception. 109. On the discharge of every prisoner the Gaoler shall deliver to him any money and other articles which were taken from him on his admission, and he shall take a receipt for the same in a book kept by him for registering such articles, which receipt shall be signed by the prisoner if he can write and, if not, by some other officer witnessing the delivery. 110. (1) The case of every prisoner under a life sentence shall be submitted by the Gaoler for the consideration of His Majesty in Council on its merits at periods of 10, 15 and 20 years from the date of the sentence, or where the prisoner has attained or is believed to have attained the age of 60 years. This rule shall be communicated to any such prisoner in prison and to any other on first reception into prison, but each must be made to understand distinctly that such submission in no way implies that any remission of sentence will be necessarily granted. (2) Cases of prisoners sentenced to long terms of imprisonment shall be brought forward by the Gaoler for the consideration of His Majesty in Council, on their merits, at periods of 7, 10, 15 and 20 years from the date of sentence. (3) In all cases of prisoners sentenced to imprisonment for life, or to long terms of imprisonment, as aforesaid, His Majesty in Council may, in reviewing the sentence, take into consideration any medical report as to the mental and physical condition of the prisoner, and the effects of imprisonment on such mental or physical condition. (4) In the case of every prisoner under a life sentence or a term of imprisonment exceeding 4 years, the Gaoler shall on the completion of each 4 years of the sentence report upon the mental and physical condition of such prisoner (with particular reference to the effect of imprisonment upon his health), upon his demeanour and his attitude towards his offence, and towards crime generally, and upon his conduct and industry and other matters which may have a material bearing upon his case. Every such report shall be forwarded to the Minister of Police and the case of the individual prisoner concerned may then be reviewed. 111. Any prisoner, whose term of imprisonment would according to his sentence expire on a Sunday or Christmas Day, shall be discharged at 1 p.m. on the immediate day preceding. 112. Except as aforesaid every prisoner shall be discharged immediately at 1 p.m. on the day when his sentence expires or otherwise terminates. Page 18 to Prison Rules CAP. 36A Rule 113 CLASSIFICATION 113. Prisoners shall be classified as follows — First Class—Debtors, comprising persons confined for contempt of Court, or upon civil process, or for want of sureties to keep the peace; Second Class—Prisoners awaiting trial or under remand; Third Class—Prisoners sentenced to penal servitude or imprisonment. PRISONERS OF THE FIRST CLASS 114. Prisoners of the first class shall be kept in a separate ward. 115. They may, if the same be sufficient and decent, wear their own clothes. 116. They shall not be compelled to be shaved unless needful for the purpose of cleanliness. PRISONERS OF THE SECOND CLASS 117. Prisoners of the second class shall be kept apart from other prisoners. 1l8. Their clothes and other effects may be taken from them if necessary for the purpose of evidence connected with their prosecution or otherwise for the purposes of justice. If not required for such purposes they may wear their own clothes if they be sufficient and decent. 119. If they consent, they may be employed in any work or labour that can be conveniently performed in the prison. PRISONERS OF THE THIRD CLASS 120. Third class prisoners shall be employed in associated labour of such kind and at such places as the Gaoler with the approval of the Minister of Police may appoint. 121. They shall be employed in the hardest description of labour available and shall not, unless for medical or other special reason, be permitted to work at comparatively light work. 122. They shall not be eligible to be engaged for any service in connection with the discipline or management of the prison except by special permission of the Gaoler. 123. They shall be locked up in their cells when not employed at labour or when not at meals or exercise, or at divine service. 124. They shall be divided into two classes, viz. — (a) prisoners whose sentences do not exceed 6 months; (b) prisoners whose sentences exceed 6 months. to Page 19 Rule 125 CAP. 36A Prison Rules FOOD, CLOTHING AND BEDDING 125. No alcoholic liquors of any kind shall be admitted for the use of any convicted prisoner under any pretence whatever, unless by the written order of a medical officer in his journal specifying the quantity to be admitted and the name of the prisoner for whose use it is intended. 126. There shall be allowed for the morning and evening meals an interval of half an hour for each and an interval of one hour for midday meal at such times of the day as are appointed under these rules. 127. (1) The diet scale for prisoners shall be as set out in Schedule 1 hereto. (2) The Gaoler may, in case of necessity, vary the scale of diet, or quality of diet, or replace or discontinue any item of diet in respect of any prisoner or class of prisoners. Any such variation shall forthwith be reported by the Gaoler to the Visiting Medical Officer, together with the reason therefor. (3) If a Visiting Medical Officer is of the opinion that the diet as varied or replaced is inadequate or unsuitable for the prisoners affected and should be altered, the Visiting Medical Officer shall recommend accordingly. 128. If any prisoner shall complain that he has not received his proper allowance of food the Gaoler shall cause his ration to be weighed or measured in his presence and the deficit, if any, shall be made up. Groundless complaints, frequently made, will be considered a breach of prison discipline and will render the prisoner concerned liable to punishment. 129. (1) Convicted prisoners shall be provided with and shall wear a complete prison dress; and their own clothes and other effects shall be taken from them, purified, and laid by. (2) Prisoners shall sleep on the floor and shall provide themselves with the number of mats authorized. 130. On the discharge of a prisoner, his own clothes and other effects shall be returned to him, unless it has been found necessary to destroy them, or unless they are unfit to be worn. 131. The Medical Officer shall direct, and the Gaoler or warder under his direction shall follow out, measures as to cleansing and disinfecting the clothes, bedding and sleeping-places of prisoners. 132. The dress of convicted prisoners shall be as prescribed by the Minister of Police from time to time. 133. New clothing shall be issued to prisoners by the Gaoler as required. Page 20 to Prison Rules CAP. 36A Rule 134 134. The clothing of every prisoner shall be changed at least twice a week. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS 135. Male prisoners whose sentences exceed one month shall, unless the Gaoler otherwise orders, have their hair cut upon admission and afterwards monthly in a manner not to disfigure them, and be shaved twice a week. Prisoners will be allowed to grow their hair and beard as they may desire for one month before the expiration of their sentence or the time of their release from prison. 136. The hair of female prisoners shall be cut when absolutely necessary for the sake of health and cleanliness and upon special direction by the medical officer in each case. 137. Prisoners shall keep themselves clean and decent in their persons and shall conform to such directions as to bathing and otherwise as may be given them for that purpose. They shall also keep their cells or wards in a state of cleanliness. HEALTH OF PRISONERS 138. Unconvicted prisoners shall have the means of taking exercise on every week-day in the open air within the precincts of the prison and all prisoners not employed in the open air shall have the means of taking such exercise in the open air as the medical officer shall deem necessary for their health. 139. The names of prisoners who desire to see the medical officer shall be reported without delay to the Gaoler and medical officer. 140. There shall be provided in each prison (if accommodation permits) an infirmary or other suitable accommodation for the reception of sick prisoners. 141. Prisoners suspected of having infectious diseases shall be separated from other prisoners, and, as soon as it can be done with safety, shall be removed to the infirmary or other authorized place. RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION AND BOOKS 142. (1) Where such an arrangement can conveniently be made, a suitable room or part of a building in the prison shall be set apart for use as a Chapel. (2) Ministers of religion or religious instructors, as from time to time approved by the Minister of Police, shall be admitted to hold services on such days and at such hours as the Gaoler shall fix. (3) Prisoners shall attend divine service and prayers when required to do so according to their several religious denominations. to Page 21 Rule 143 CAP. 36A Prison Rules 143. On a special application by any prisoner to the Gaoler a minister of his religious persuasion may be permitted to visit him at other hours than those fixed, if convenient. VISITS TO, AND COMMUNICATION WITH, PRISONERS 144. Prisoners awaiting trial or under examination shall be allowed to receive visits from their friends in the hearing of an officer between the hours of 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. on any day except Sundays, Good Friday or Christmas Day. 145. Persons awaiting trial, under examination, or prisoners convicted by Magistrates shall be allowed to see their legal advisers or registered medical practitioner if necessary for the purposes of their defence on any day except Sundays at any hour between 7 in the morning and 5 in the evening. Such visits may take place in private, but must be in view of an officer of the prison. 146. Prisoners who have been convicted by the Court shall only be allowed to see their legal advisers under special circumstances and upon permission having been first obtained from the Minister of Police for that purpose. Upon such permission being applied for, the nature and object of such visit shall be stated with sufficient precision to enable the Minister of Police to judge whether or not the visit is one which should be allowed. 147. Prisoners awaiting trial or under examination may also receive and write letters whenever they desire to do so. All correspondence to or from untried prisoners, except such as may pass between their legal advisers and themselves, shall be read and initialled by the Gaoler. 148. Debtors shall be allowed a visit of half an hour once in each week under the usual conditions. They shall also be allowed to receive and write letters without the same being read by the Gaoler unless he has reason to suspect that any breach of the Prison Rules is being committed, when he shall open the letters in the presence of the debtor concerned. 149. Convicted criminal prisoners, whether sentenced to hard labour or not, shall not receive visits, nor write or receive letters from their friends until 4 months after the date of their conviction. Provided their conduct be good, they shall be allowed after 4 months to receive a visit and to write and receive a letter every 2 months. Visits shall not exceed 20 minutes' duration. They shall be allowed to petition the Minister of Police, and to see visitors once immediately after admission, in regard to their conviction. 150. No prisoner shall receive a visit from more than one person at a time except when the visitors are in relationship of parent, wife, husband, or children of the prisoner. Page 22 to Prison Rules CAP. 36A Rule 151 151. Subject to these rules visitors to prisoners shall only be admitted on a written order of the Minister of Police and with the consent of the prisoner. 152. Under special circumstances the Minister of Police may grant to prisoners the privilege of receiving a visit or of writing or receiving a letter, at other times than those specified in the foregoing rules. 153. The Gaoler shall peruse and initial the letters of all prisoners except as otherwise provided in the case of untried prisoners and debtors and, if he shall deem it necessary to withhold any letter, he shall forthwith lay it before the Minister of Police. 154. The name of any visitor and other authorized person making their ordinary visits, and the name of every prisoner visited, shall be noted in a book for that purpose by the Gaoler. 155. Any visitor who shall occasion disturbance, or commit a breach of discipline, or shall be insolent to, or shall refuse to retire when required by any officer of the prison, may be refused admittance to visit any prisoner, and may be forcibly ejected from the prison. 156. Persons of known bad character shall not be admitted as visitors, except under very special circumstances. 157. All visits to prisoners, except as provided in rule 145 of these rules, shall take place in the presence and hearing of an officer. PRISON OFFENCES 158. No punishment or privation of any kind shall be awarded against a prisoner for a prison offence except as provided in sections 24, 28, 29 and 30 of the Prisons Act, and in these rules. (Amended, Act 46/1988.) 159. The following acts and omissions, if committed or done by any prisoner, are hereby declared to be prison offences within the meaning of section 24 of the Prisons Act and may be dealt with under and according to the provisions of section 24 of the said Act, and of these rules — (a) disobedience of the Prison Rules; (b) common assault on another prisoner; (c) profane, indecent, insulting, or threatening language or behaviour; (d) insubordination; (e) irreverent behaviour at divine service; (f) idleness or negligence at work, or leaving place of work without authority; (g) wilful mismanagement of work; to Page 23 Rule 160 CAP. 36A Prison Rules (h) absence from divine service according to their several religious denominations without leave; (Amended, Act 46/1988) (i) obstructing any prison officer in the execution of his duty; (j) disobedience to the commands of any prison officer; (k) giving away provisions or clothing or exchanging them with another prisoner; (l) communicating with another prisoner without leave; (m) disrespectful conduct to any officer or other person in the prison; (n) committing any nuisance; (o) having possession of unauthorized articles; (p) marking, defacing, or damaging any part of the prison or any Government property; (q) gaming, dancing, singing, whistling, or making any unnecessary noise; (r) creating a disturbance; (s) secreting or purloining anything; (t) pretending illness or wilfully disabling himself; (u) frivolous complaints, needless requests to see the medical officer, insolence, rudeness, or any other misconduct subversive of the peace, order, or good government of the gaol. 160. The medical officer shall, as often as possible, visit each prisoner in a punishment cell. On a requisition stating the ground of his intervention delivered by him to the Gaoler he may, in any case, cause the confinement in a punishment cell to cease wholly or partly. Such requisition shall be forthwith forwarded by the Gaoler to the Prison Visiting Officers who dealt with the prisoner concerned. 161. In lieu of, or in addition to, any other penalty which the Minister of Police is authorized to award, he may order any prisoner having escaped or attempted to escape from prison to be put in irons for such period as he shall determine. A similar order may be made whenever a prisoner is so violent as to render such a course necessary. 162. All articles found in the possession of a prisoner at any time after he has been searched on his admission into prison, which have not been served out to the prisoner by an officer acting in the course of his duty, shall be deemed unauthorized articles, and the prisoner on whom such articles shall be found shall be dealt with as provided by these rules. 163. Sentences of corporal punishment under the Prison Act shall not exceed 25 strokes in the aggregate. Page 24 to Prison Rules CAP. 36A Rule 164 164. The Gaoler shall attend all corporal punishments which shall be inflicted by a prison warder or police constable. 165. (1) No corporal punishment shall be inflicted unless in the presence of the medical officer who shall have full control over the same. (2) The medical officer shall give such orders for preventing injury to health as he may deem necessary, and those orders shall be carried out by the Gaoler. (3) Corporal punishment for prison offences shall be inflicted on the guilty prisoner in the presence of other prisoners. (4) The Gaoler shall enter in the punishment book the date and hour at which the punishment was inflicted, the number of strokes, and any orders which the medical officer may have given on the occasion. 166. Where a “cat o'nine tails” is used it shall be such as is prescribed by Cabinet. The “birch” should be of a type approved by the Minister of Police. 167. Prisoners of the first and second class shall be subject to the Prison Rules, except as far as they are inconsistent with any special rule relating to such prisoner. PRISONERS UNDER SENTENCE OF DEATH 168. Every prisoner under warrant or order for execution shall, immediately on his arrival in the prison after sentence, be searched by, or by the order of, the Gaoler, and all articles shall be taken from him which the Gaoler deems dangerous or inexpedient to leave in his possession. He shall be confined in a cell apart from all other prisoners, and shall be placed by day and night under the constant charge of an officer. He shall be allowed such dietary and exercise as the Gaoler with the approval of the medical officer may direct. The medical officer shall visit him in his cell as often as necessary. A minister of the religious persuasion to which the prisoner belongs shall have free access to him. With the above exception no person, not being a visiting officer or an officer of the prison, shall have access to the prisoner except in pursuance of an order from the Minister of Police. The officer who is placed in charge of the prisoner shall be present during the whole of such interview. 169. If any prisoner under sentence of death wishes to make a statement whether by way of petition to His Majesty in Council or otherwise he shall be permitted to do so. Such statement shall be made in the presence of and be taken down in writing and read over to the prisoner by the Gaoler and shall be signed by the prisoner and the Gaoler and the Gaoler shall forthwith forward such statement to the Minister of Police. to Page 25 Rule 170 CAP. 36A Prison Rules MEANS OF RESTRAINTT FOR PRISONERS 170. The following means of restraint may be used in the case of any prisoner whose conduct shall be so violent as to render such action necessary — (a) handcuffs; (b) leg-chains fastened at each end to an iron ring large enough to admit the ring being firmly rivetted round the ankle; (c) waist-belt of double leather sewn together, fastened by a lock round waist, with steel wristlets at equal distances at the sides to lock the wrists therein; weight not to exceed 1.81 kilograms; (d) stout canvas dresses for prisoners destroying their clothing. 171. Irons shall be used only as a means of restraint or prevention to escape, not as a punishment. No prisoner shall be kept in irons without having been previously examined by the medical officer. 172. The Gaoler shall enter in his journal the name of any prisoner placed under restraint with the day and hour of such restraint being put on and taken off, or change in manner of application. 173. Medical cases under treatment in the infirmary shall only be restrained in such manner as the medical officer may direct. A report in each case shall be made by such officer in his journal. PRISONERS' LABOUR 174. Every prisoner, whose sentence requires him to labour, shall work at whatever kind of labour he may be appointed to by the Gaoler in conformity with these rules. 175. The hours of labour shall be: morning, 7 a.m. to noon; afternoon, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. 176. Prisoners liable to work but not subject to hard labour shall be employed at such hours as may be directed not exceeding 9 hours each day. 177. No prisoner whose sentence requires him to labour shall be relieved on account of sickness or physical inability except upon the written order of the medical officer, or where the sickness is so sudden or severe that the Gaoler deems it his duty to relieve him for the day, and every case of that kind shall be reported by the Gaoler to the medical officer at his first visit thereafter. 178. In no case shall hard labour be combined with reduced diet. 179. Male prisoners sentenced to penal servitude or imprisonment with hard labour may be employed within or without the walls of the prison upon any work and at such places as the Gaoler may appoint. Page 26 to Prison Rules CAP. 36A Rule 180 180. Female prisoners shall be employed within the prison at sewing, washing and ironing clothes, picking coir or oakum, cleaning, scouring, and other necessary work in the females' prison. Coir fibre must be picked in the open air. 181. Prisoners shall only do necessary cleaning on Sundays, Christmas Day, and Good Friday. 182. Prisoners shall perform on all holidays all such work as the Gaoler may deem necessary. 183. No prisoner shall be employed as a personal servant in the quarters of a Gaoler or other officer. MARK SYSTEM 184. A convicted person sentenced to imprisonment, whether by one sentence or by consecutive sentences for a period exceeding 3 calendar months or a prisoner sentenced to penal servitude whether by one sentence or consecutive sentences, may earn remission of sentence by industry accompanied by good conduct. 185. The maximum remission obtainable shall be one fourth of the sentence in the case of males, and one-third in the case of females. One calendar month under the marks system represents 30 days. 186. The amount of remission shall be determined by marks as follows — (a) every day of imprisonment shall be represented by six marks, irrespective of conduct or industry; (b) one additional mark shall be given for a fair day's labour; additional marks for steady hard work and full performance of the task allotted for the day; (c) a prisoner must obtain a number of marks equal to 6 times the number of days of the term of imprisonment to which he has been sentenced; thus, if he obtains only 6 marks per day, he earns no remission; whereas if he obtains eight marks per day, and no marks are forfeited for misconduct, he earns the full remission of one fourth of the sentence. 187. No marks shall be allotted for mere good conduct except on Sundays, Christmas Day and Good Friday. Every prisoner entitled to marks who conducts himself well on those days shall receive 8 marks. 188. Prisoners in hospital or the infirmary, if injured on the public works, or in the performance of their duty (without any fault of their own) shall be allowed 8 marks per day. If in hospital for any other cause they shall be allowed 6 marks per day unless recommended for an additional number of marks by the Gaoler. to Page 27 Rule 189 CAP. 36A Prison Rules 189. Prisoners who have been certified by the medical officer to be only capable of light labour shall be allowed marks in proportion to their industry on the same scale as other prisoners. 190. Prisoners undergoing punishment diet, or separate or solitary confinement for breaches of prison discipline, shall be allowed only 6 marks marks a day during the time of such punishment. 191. The details given above apply to male prisoners only. In the case of female prisoners every day of imprisonment shall be represented by 4 instead of 6 marks. Full daily marks shall be 6 instead of 8, and the maximum remission shall be one third instead of one fourth of the sentence. 192. His Majesty in Council may, by order under his hand, grant to any prisoner a licence to be at large in the Kingdom during such portion of his sentence of imprisonment as His Majesty in Council may see fit. And His Majesty in Council may revoke or alter such licence by order under his hand, and at his pleasure. Such licence may be in the form set forth in Schedule 2 annexed to these rules or in such other form as His Majesty in Council may direct. 193. The earning of marks and grant of remission shall extend to re-convicted holders of a licence serving remnants of former sentences. 194. The maximum number of marks of which a prisoner may be deprived for any one offence is — (a) by the Minister of Police, 720; (b) by the gaoler, 42; (c) by His Majesty in Council, unlimited. 195. All fines of remission of marks by the Gaoler shall be subject to revision, on appeal by the Minister of Police. 196. A mark book shall be kept by the Gaoler in a form to be approved by Cabinet, and shall be examined and initialled on each visit by the Minister of Police. Such mark book shall further be produced to the Prison Visiting Officer for inspection at each visit. 197. A report of the marks earned and forfeited by each prisoner shall also be kept in the prison on a card, in a form approved by Cabinet. 198. At the end of each day's work every officer in charge of prison labour shall report to the Gaoler the industry of each prisoner under his charge for the day, and the Gaoler shall record the marks as earned in the mark book at the earliest opportunity. Page 28 to Prison Rules CAP. 36A Rule 199 199. All possible care should be taken that the marks are fairly awarded. Care must also be taken that the prisoner is not always under the same warder when employed outside the prison. to Page 29 SCHEDULE 1 CAP. 36A Prison Rules SCHEDULE 1 (Rule 127) Diet and dietary for prisoners shall be as follows: — Taro, Yams or Kumalas ........................................................................... 1.81 Kgs. daily Coconut, taro tops, green vegetables .............................................................as available Meat .................................................................................................... 227 grams weekly Page 30 to Prison Rules CAP. 36A SCHEDULE 2 SCHEDULE 2 (Rule 192) ORDER OF LICENCE TO A PRISONER His Majesty in Council is pleased to grant to .....................................................who was convicted of ……………..at the …………….for the ........................ on the ................... day of ............................................... and was then and there sentenced to imprisonment with hard labour (or to be kept at penal servitude) for the term of ................................... and is now confined in the .................. prison, his licence to be at large from the day of his liberation under this order during the remaining portion of his said term of imprisonment or penal servitude unless the said .............................................................. shall, before the expiration of the said term be convicted of some indictable offence within the Kingdom, in which case such licence will be immediately forfeited, or unless it shall please His Majesty in Council to revoke or alter such licence. This licence is given subject to the conditions endorsed upon the same, upon the breach of any of which it shall be liable to be revoked, whether such breach is followed by conviction or not; and His Majesty in Council hereby orders that the said ………….……………be set at liberty within 30 days from the date of this order. Given under my hand and seal (Minister of Police). (King of Tonga). (The following to be printed on the back of the licence.) This licence is subject to forfeiture if the holder does not observe the following conditions — 1. He shall preserve his licence and produce it when called upon to do so by a Magistrate or Police Officer. 2. He shall abstain from any violation of the law. 3. He shall not habitually associate with notoriously bad characters. 4. He shall not lead an idle life, without visible means of obtaining an honest livelihood. to Page 31 SCHEDULE 2 CAP. 36A 5. Prison Rules He shall, within 48 hours of his arrival in the district, personally notify the place of his residence to the Chief Officer of Police of the district in which he is, and whenever he changes his residence, shall notify such change of residence to the said Chief Officer of Police of the district, and also if he is changing his residence from one district to another, to the Chief Officer of Police of the district in which he is going to reside; and he shall, once in every 3 months report himself personally, at such time as may be ordered by the Chief Officer of Police of the district in which he resides, to such Chief Officer of Police or to a person appointed by him. The Chief Officer of Police of the district may, after the lapse of some months from the granting of the licence, during which the conduct of the holder shall have been satisfactory, permit the report to be made in writing. If the holder of a licence fails so to report himself, or if he fails to comply with any of the above requisitions, he will be liable to be arrested by any constable and to have his licence revoked; and if he shall be convicted of any offence committed during the period in which he shall have been at large under such licence, and shall be sentenced to any term of imprisonment or penal servitude, he shall, after undergoing such term, further undergo a term of imprisonment or penal servitude equal to the portion of his term of imprisonment or penal servitude that remained unexpired at the time of his licence being granted. Page 32 to
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