CAP. 90 Prisons [Rev. 2012] 53. Prisoner’s defence No prisoner shall be punished for a prison offence until he has had an opportunity of hearing the charge against him and making his defence. 54. Medical examination before punishment (1) No prisoner shall be subjected to punishment diet or corporal punishment until certified as medically fit to undergo it by a medical officer or other person appointed for such purpose by the medical officer. (2) Punishment diet shall not be combined with labour. 55. Corporal punishment (1) Where corporal punishment is awarded the number of strokes shall be limited to a maximum of ten strokes in the case of persons of or under the apparent age of sixteen years, and in all other cases to eighteen strokes, and shall be inflicted with such type of cane as may be prescribed. (2) Every sentence of corporal punishment imposed upon a prisoner by an officer in charge shall be subject to confirmation by the Commissioner, who may increase or reduce the number of strokes ordered to be inflicted, or may substitute any other punishment or punishments he is authorized by this Act to award. (3) No sentence of corporal punishment shall be carried out until a period of twenty-four hours has elapsed from the time of the order thereof nor until a medical officer has certified that the offender is physically fit to undergo such punishment. (4) A medical officer may give such orders for the prevention of injury to the health of the offender ordered to receive corporal punishment as he may deem necessary, and such orders shall be carried out before the punishment is inflicted; and if, during the course of the infliction of such punishment, the medical officer shall order it to be discontinued, it shall be discontinued accordingly. (5) Corporal punishment shall not be inflicted upon any female prisoner, nor upon male prisoners under sentence of death, nor upon any civil prisoner. [Act No. 25 of 1971, Sch.] 56. Segregation of prisoner Whenever it appears to the officer in charge that it is desirable for the good order and discipline of the prison for a prisoner to be segregated and not to work nor to be associated with other prisoners, it shall be lawful for such officer to order the segregation of such prisoner for such period as may be considered necessary. 57. Register of punishment The officer in charge shall cause to be entered in a register, which shall be open to the inspection of the visiting justices, a record of all punishments imposed upon prisoners, showing in respect of each prisoner punished, his name, the nature of his offence, and the extent of his punishment. [Issue 1] P30 - 25