Policy background Functions of prisoner custody officers in relation to live link hearings
As a response to Covid-19, HM Courts and Tribunals Service ("HMCTS") increased the roll-out of Video Remand Hearings ("VRH") from police stations. Although it has been helping the courts respond to the pandemic by reducing the number of defendants travelling to magistrates’ courts, police forces have reported resourcing and operational issues with operating VRH.
	The Government considers it important to continue to make the best use of technology such as VRH to improve future efficiency. Section 58 provides Prisoner Escort and Custody Service ("PECS") officers with the power to have custody over prisoners in police stations, including detainees in legal custody, for the purpose of overseeing any preliminary, sentencing or enforcement hearing taking place by way of live link, in particular VRH, and matters associated with such hearings (such as overseeing pre-trial meetings with solicitors and probation officers).