Guidance

Infection prevention and control guidelines for adult prisons

Guidance for His Majesty’s Prisons (HMP) and non-HMP adult prison settings to prevent infection and reducing infection-related harms.

• From: UK Health Security Agency
• Published: 1 July 2011
• Last updated: 28 January 2026 — See all updates

Applies to England

Documents

Infection prevention and control guidelines for adult prisons

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Infection prevention and control guidelines for adult prisons (print version)

PDF, 986 KB, 33 pages

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Details

This guidance is for governors, controllers, directors, managers, responsible individuals and prison staff in adult prison settings.

It uses and applies evidence to help those working in prisons to control and manage infection related risks whilst managing other physical and operational risks, providing clear guidelines on the safety actions required. It should be used alongside other relevant evidence-based guidelines provided for prison settings.

We are developing dedicated guidance for the children and young people secure estate and other secure settings. See previous guidance on Infection control in prisons and places of detention on the internet archive.

Published 1 July 2011

Last updated 28 January 2026 + show all updates

1. 28 January 2026

   Rebranded guidance to UKHSA guidance.

2. 1 July 2011

   First published.