These Rules amend the Prison Rules 1999 (S.I. 1999/728) (“the 1999 Rules”) and the Young Offender Institution Rules 2000 (S.I. 2000/3371) (“the 2000 Rules”). These Rules substitute the definition of “specified drug” in rule 2(1) of the 1999 Rules and rule 2(1) of the 2000 Rules with a revised definition in rule 2(1) and a new Schedule 2. Products or substances that fall within the revised definitions are “specified drugs” for the purposes of section 16A (testing prisoners for drugs) of the Prison Act 1952 (c. 52) (“the Act.”). The effect of section 16A of the Act is that a prison officer can require a prisoner or an inmate to provide a sample for the purpose of ascertaining whether there is a specified drug in the body of the prisoner or inmate. These Rules amend the definition of “specified drug” to include a number of additional chemical compounds. These comprise of a mixture of psychoactive substances, prescription only medicines and pharmacy medicines. The effect of the amendment is that prisoners and inmates can be tested for these additional substances.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no impact on the private, voluntary or public sectors is foreseen.