Law

Penal Servitude Act 1891

United Kingdom · statute

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In force since 1991-02-01, as the publisher states.

Copy read on 2026-11-09. The page it was read from

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.

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Contents: 8 provisions
  1. Title and introductory text
  2. 1 Amendment of law as to term of penal servitude and as to sentences of imprisonment.
  3. 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  4. 7 Amendment of 5 Geo. 4. c. 83. and 34 & 35 Vict. c. 112. s. 15 as to rogues and vagabonds.
  5. 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  6. 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  7. 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  8. 11 Short title.

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8 provisions

Title and introductory text

Penal Servitude Act 1891 1891 c.69 An Act to amend the Law relating to Penal Servitude and the Prevention of Crime. [5th August 1891]

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1 Amendment of law as to term of penal servitude and as to sentences of imprisonment.

(1) Where under any enactment in force when this section comes into operation a court has power to award a sentence of penal servitude, the sentence may, at the discretion of the court, be for any period not less than three years, and not exceeding either five years, or any greater period authorised by the enactment. (2) Where under any Act now in force or under any future Act a court is empowered or required to award a sentence of penal servitude, the court may in its discretion, unless such future Act otherwise provides, award imprisonment for any term not exceeding two years . . . (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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7 Amendment of 5 Geo. 4. c. 83. and 34 & 35 Vict. c. 112. s. 15 as to rogues and vagabonds.

Section four of the Vagrancy Act 1824, as amended by section fifteen of the Prevention of Crimes Act 1871, shall be read and construed as if the provisions applying to suspected persons and reputed thieves frequenting the places and with the intent therein described, applied also to every suspected person or reputed thief loitering about or in any of the said places and with the said intent.

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8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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11 Short title.

This Act may be cited as the Penal Servitude Act 1891 . . .

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Penal Servitude Act 1891