Mechanical restraint not to be used as punishment

(1) Mechanical restraints shall not be used as a punishment or for any purpose other than safe custody during removal, except on medical grounds by direction of the Medical Officer, or in the circumstances and under the conditions stated in the following paragraphs of this rule. (2) When it appears to the Superintendent that it is necessary to place a prisoner under mechanical restraint in order to prevent his injuring himself or others, or damaging property, or creating a disturbance, the Superintendent may order him to be placed under mechanical restraint, and notice thereof shall forthwith be given to a Visiting Justice and to the Medical Officer. (3) The Medical Officer on receipt of the aforesaid notice shall forthwith inform the Superintendent whether he concurs in the order, and if on medical grounds he does not concur the shall act in accordance with any recommendations which he makes. (4) No prisoner shall be kept under mechanical restraint longer than is necessary, or for a longer period than twenty-four hours unless an order in writing from a Visiting Justice or from 41 the Minister is given, specifying the cause thereof and the time during which the prisoner is to be so kept. (5) The order shall be preserved by the Superintendent as his warrant. (6) Particulars of every case of mechanical restraint shall be forthwith recorded by the Superintendent. (7) No mechanical means of restraint shall be used except of such patterns and in such manner and under such conditions as may be approved by the Minister.