ABSTRACT
Part IV of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 went much further than giving special powers to magistrates’ court security officers. It created further classes of private security operatives engaged in public protection duties and gave them specific powers accordingly. Sections 80-86 and Sched 10 of the 1991 Act collectively cover the provision, monitoring, certification and powers and duties of prisoner custody officers. There are two classes of prisoner custody officers, namely those working in the prisoner escort service and those responsible for front-line security in the privatelymanaged prisons. In some cases, these personnel may be trained to perform both functions.
