Codify prisoner communication restrictions scheme
Manchester Arena Inquiry · Manchester Arena Inquiry: Volume 2: Emergency Response · Issued 3 November 2022
Source — verbatim from the inquiry
●Inquiry recommendation
I recommend that the scheme be codified, and clear policy and guidance be published so that it can be applied consistently across the prison estate.
Manchester Arena Inquiry, Manchester Arena Inquiry: Volume 2: Emergency Response · 3 Nov 2022 Source PDF →
Published evidence summary
Publicly available evidence relating to this recommendation:
- The Authorised Communications Controls and Interception Policy Framework was published in September 2022 (Manchester Arena Inquiry Recommendations Dashboard, Cabinet Office, February 2026).
- HMPPS has set up a new National Counter Terrorism Communications Centre to monitor authorised phone communications and conduct vetting checks (Manchester Arena Inquiry Recommendations Dashboard, Cabinet Office, February 2026).
Response — verbatim from government
●UK Government
The Home Secretary made a written statement to Parliament on 3 November 2022 following publication of Volume 2, acknowledging the findings on emergency response failures and stating the government would work with emergency services to implement improvements. The response committed to reviewing interoperability arrangements between emergency services and strengthening joint training and exercising protocols for major incidents.
UK Government · 3 Nov 2022 Written response →
Evidence trail — what's actually happened since
- 27 Feb 2026 The Authorised Communications Controls and Interception Policy Framework was published in September 2022. This provides rules and guidance for prison staff to manage prisoner communications across prisons and Young Offenders Institutions. HMPPS has set up a new National Counter Terrorism Communications Centre, which dramatically increases our capacity and capability to monitor the authorised phone communications of our highest risk CT nominals in prisons. In collaboration with partners, the Centre will also conduct more vigorous vetting checks of those visiting or communicating with our highest risk prisoners. This is now implemented. Source →
- 14 Nov 2025 The Authorised Communications Controls and Interception Policy Framework was published in September 2022. This provides rules and guidance for prison staff to manage prisoner communications across prisons and Young Offenders Institutions. HMPPS has set up a new National Counter Terrorism Communications Centre, which dramatically increases our capacity and capability to monitor the authorised phone communications of our highest risk CT nominals in prisons. In collaboration with partners, the Centre will also conduct more vigorous vetting checks of those visiting or communicating with our highest risk prisoners. Source →
- 14 Nov 2025 · Cabinet Office Government published formal Manchester Arena Inquiry recommendations dashboard on GOV.UK (14 November 2025) tracking all 149 recommendations with implementation progress updates. View source → Reasonable Progress
- 3 Apr 2025 · UK Parliament Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 received Royal Assent 3 April 2025. Creates two tiers: Standard Duty (200-799 capacity) and Enhanced Duty (800+). SIA will be regulator. Not yet in force -- at least 24 months before enforcement (expected April 2027). View source → Reasonable Progress
- 5 Jun 2023 · National Police Chiefs Council NPCC, Counter Terrorism Policing and College of Policing provided comprehensive updates to Sir John Saunders demonstrating "continued drive to improve collective response to terrorist incidents." View source → Reasonable Progress
Each entry above links to a primary source — gov.uk written statement, consultation response document, or inspection report. The Index does not characterise government intent; it tracks what has been published.
How this page is built
Source and Response are verbatim from primary documents. The Evidence trail records published activity since — written statements, consultation outcomes, inspection findings, parliamentary references. The Index does not paraphrase or characterise intent; it tracks what has been published. Where the evidence is the absence of action (a missed deadline, a slipped timetable), that absence is documented from primary sources rather than inferred.
This recommendation's data is verified periodically against primary sources. The Index is monitored for staleness weekly.