Definition of imprisonment

A person is regarded as serving a sentence of imprisonment if they are detained in any of the following:

• a prison
• a police jail
• remand prison

Note a prisoner who has escaped from custody is considered to be serving a sentence of imprisonment.

They may be serving a term of:

• imprisonment
• preventive detention or
• corrective training

Note people remanded in custody or serving a term of imprisonment who are temporarily hospitalised for treatment of an injury or illness are still considered to be in prison. However, where a prisoner serving a sentence of imprisonment is detained in or transferred to, a psychiatric hospital they may qualify for financial assistance from Work and Income.

For more information see:

• Detention in or transfer to a psychiatric hospital