Explanatory Memorandum

Prison (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 2004

2004 No. 704

The Main Provisions of the Order

Detention in the custody of a constable where admission to prison not practicable

Article 4 creates a new section in the Prison Act (NI) 1953 affirming the lawful temporary detention in police custody of persons committed to prison by the courts in circumstances where it is not practicable to immediately admit them to prison. The article also provides that police may return such persons, held in their custody, to court where required to do so.