Prison Media Bill

A Bill to prohibit the creation and uploading of unauthorised media content relating to prisons.

Originating House

House of Commons

Parliament last updated

23 September 2024

In Plain English

AI-generated

May contain errors — check source documents for definitive information.

The Prison Media Bill would make it illegal to create or upload unauthorised media about prisons. In Committee stage in the Commons, Conservative MPs have put forward a package of amendments to tighten the offences, clarify how they interact with existing Prison Act rules, and extend the regime to Northern Ireland and Scotland. The bill is currently being debated, with amendments still to be decided.

Key Points

Introduces new offences to upload prison-related content to the internet (building on the Prison Act 1952 as sections 40DA/40DB).
Amendments seek to clarify how photography and sound-recording from inside or outside prisons are treated, including a defence and distinctions between different media.
Proposes Crown immunity for certain prison workers designated by the Secretary of State, and specifies who counts as a Crown servant for the new offences.
Extends similar offences to Northern Ireland and Scotland by amending relevant NI and Scotland acts, aiming for cross‑jurisdiction consistency.
Includes provision for commencement and transitional steps, allowing different areas to bring the rules into force at different times.

Progress

The bill is at Committee stage in the Commons. A large set of 22 amendments from the sponsor has been tabled to refine scope, alignment with existing law, and cross‑border reach; no final decisions have been announced yet.

Who is affected?

Prison staff and workers (including those designated for potential Crown immunity)Prisoners (as those whose media about prisons may be captured)People who create or upload prison-related media (including the general public)Internet service providers/platforms hosting or receiving such mediaPublic authorities responsible for prisons and the Crown (regarding enforcement and immunities)Prison-related personnel and authorities in Northern Ireland and Scotland

Generated 21 February 2026

Bill Stages

1st readingCommons

11 Dec 2023

2nd readingCommons

1 Mar 2024

Committee stageCommons

22 May 2024

Report stageCommons

3rd readingCommons

1st readingLords

2nd readingLords

Committee stageLords

Report stageLords

3rd readingLords

Royal Assent

Amendments (22)

22 no decision

Showing agreed, defeated, and withdrawn amendments.

Updates & Documents

News (1)

Prison Media Bill

23 May 2024

The dissolution of Parliament took place on Thursday 30 May 2024. All business in the House of Commons and House of Lords has come to an end and this bill will make no further progress.