Prison Governor uniforms

​Request 805506337

I write to make a new request for information under the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011. 

I understand that the Prison Governor has worn a uniform in recent years, and that this practice was introduced within approximately the last four years. 

I request copies of any recorded information held that: 

1. Records the decision to permit or introduce the wearing of uniform by the Prison Governor; 

2. Identifies the date on which that decision took effect; 

3. Identifies the decision-maker or authority responsible for approving the change; 

4. Sets out the legal, regulatory, contractual, or policy basis relied upon to authorise the wearing of uniform by the Prison Governor; 

5. Includes any minutes, board papers, internal memoranda, service orders, policy documents, or instructions relating to this change. 

If uniform wear by the Prison Governor is said to derive from any statutory provision, subordinate legislation, Prison Rules, or other regulatory instrument, please identify the specific provision relied upon. 

If no recorded decision, policy, or legal authority exists, please confirm that no such recorded information is held. 

If any information is withheld, please specify the exemption relied upon and whether partial disclosure is possible.

Response​

1.The letter of confirmation written by the Chief Officer for Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) confirms that the Prison Governor can wear both ceremonial and day uniform as appropriate for their duties. States of Jersey Prison Service (SOJ) Dress Code Policy has been amended to show this. The letter is attached and the relevant paragraph from the Policy is reproduced below.

Prison Governor: The States of Jersey Prison Governor is permitted to wear full day uniform and Ceremonial dress as appropriate to their duties.

2. This letter was issued on the 14th of January 2026. It was written by the Chief Officer for Justice and Home Affairs (JHA). Prior to this date there was no policy requiring or preventing the Prison Governor from wearing uniform.

3. The decision makers were the Chief Officer for Justice and Home Affairs (JHA), Minister for Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) and Chief People Officer.

4. The Prison Governor’s terms and conditions remain unchanged. There is no legislation requiring or preventing the Prison Governor from wearing uniform.

5. No other minutes, board papers, internal memoranda, service orders, policy documents, or instructions relating to this change are on record.

Justice and Home Affairs

Government of Jersey

Union Street | St Helier

Jersey | JE2 3DN

Mr Paul Yates

Prison Governor

La Moye Prison

By email

14 January 2026

Dear Paul

Prison Governor Uniform – day and ceremonial

You have asked me to write to you to confirm that I am content for you, as Prison Governor, to wear both ceremonial and day uniform, as appropriate for your duties.

I have discussed this with Deputy Mary Le Hegarat, Minister for Justice and Home Affairs, and Lesley Darwin, Chief People Officer, and they are both content.

This is on the basis that your terms and conditions will remain unchanged and in accordance with your contract as an individual contract holder at Tier 2 – for the avoidance of doubt, this means that whilst you will be wearing uniform as appropriate for your role, you will not become a member of the Uniformed Services/ Prison Officer paygroup.

Yours sincerely

Kate Briden

Chief Officer, Justice and Home Affairs

k.briden@gov.je