The Transfer of Prisoners Act
This provision gives the Act its short title for citation purposes.
AI-assisted research synopsis — verify against the official legal text below.
- Jurisdiction
- Tanzania
- Instrument
- Act or statute
- Citation
- The Transfer of Prisoners Act
- Version
- Undated source snapshot
- Language
- en
- Official source
- View official record ↗
Publicly available, excluded from search-engine indexing
This page remains available for direct access and API use, but this release emits
noindex,follow for the following reason:
- The record does not meet this release's canonical indexing criteria.
(market-indexing-disabled)
Statute overview
About this statute
This provision gives the Act its short title for citation purposes. This Act applies to prisoners already serving imprisonment sentences when the Act starts, if they are in a country designated by the Minister under section 4. This section defines key terms used in the Act, including “Act,” “appropriate authority,” “designated country,” “Minister,” “prisoner,” “transfer,” and “warrant.” If there is an agreement with a country about transferring prisoners to Tanzania, the Minister may make a Gazette order declaring that this part of the Act applies to that country. The Minister decides prisoner transfer requests after consulting the Attorney General, and may refuse transfers when less than six months of the sentence remain unless exceptional circumstances exist.
Search within this statute
Search all stored provisions in this version.
Legal text
Provisions of The Transfer of Prisoners Act
Showing 21 of 21
- 1 Verify source ↗
Short title
AI-assisted research summary: This provision gives the Act its short title for citation purposes.
1. This Act may be cited as the Transfer of Prisoners Act Application Interpretation Cap. 387 - 2 Verify source ↗
Application
AI-assisted research summary: This Act applies to prisoners already serving imprisonment sentences when the Act starts, if they are in a country designated by the Minister under section 4.
2. This Act shall apply to a prisoner who is already serving a sentence of imprisonment on the date of commencement of this Act in a country designated by the Minister in accordance with section 4 of this Act - 3 Verify source ↗
Interpretation
AI-assisted research summary: This section defines key terms used in the Act, including “Act,” “appropriate authority,” “designated country,” “Minister,” “prisoner,” “transfer,” and “warrant.”
3. In this Act unless the context requires otherwise- “Act” means the Transfer of Prisoners Act; “appropriate authority”; in relation to Tanzania; means the Minister or other person or authority designated by him for the purpose of this Act, and in relation to a foreign country means the authority responsible for the administration of the law relating to the transfer of prisoners; “designated country” means a country designated pursuant to the provisions of section 4 of this Act; “Minister” means the Minister responsible for matters relating to prisoners; “prisoner” means a Tanzania citizen serving a sentence in a designated country or a citizen of a designated country serving a sentence in Tanzania; 491 ©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG. THE TRANSFER OF PRISONERS ACT [CAP. 387 R.E. 2023] “transfer” means transfer of a prisoner from a designated country to Tanzania or from Tanzania to a designated country; and “warrant” means a judicial document authorising the transfer of a prisoner to or from the United Republic. PART II TRANSFER OF SENTENCED PRISONERS TO THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA Designation of countries
Part
PART II
- 4 Verify source ↗
Designation of countries
AI-assisted research summary: If there is an agreement with a country about transferring prisoners to Tanzania, the Minister may make a Gazette order declaring that this part of the Act applies to that country.
4. Where an agreement has been made with a country in respect to the transfer of prisoners to Tanzania, the Minister may by an order published in the Gazette, declare that, this part of the Act shall apply in the case of that country subject to conditions, exceptions and qualifications as may be specified in the order, and this Part shall apply accordingly. Request for transfer
Part
part of the Act shall apply in the case of that country subject to
- 5 Verify source ↗
Request for transfer
AI-assisted research summary: The Minister decides prisoner transfer requests after consulting the Attorney General, and may refuse transfers when less than six months of the sentence remain unless exceptional circumstances exist.
5.–(1) Where the Minister is requested by an appropriate authority of a designated country that- (a) a prisoner or his representative has applied for a transfer to Tanzania and that country has agreed to the transfer; (b) country requests the transfer and the prisoner consents to that transfer, the Minister shall after consultation with the Attorney General determine whether he agrees to the transfer or not. (2) A request made under this section for the transfer of a prisoner shall be accompanied by the following particulars: (a) the name, sex, date and place of birth, or if the date of birth is not known, the approximate age of the prisoner; (b) the prisoner’s address if any, in Tanzania; (c) a certified copy of the judgment or other order of the court; (d) a statement of the facts and circumstances upon which the conviction and sentence or other order were based; 492 ©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG. THE TRANSFER OF PRISONERS ACT [CAP. 387 R.E. 2023] (e) the nature of the sentence, if any, its date of commencement and duration; (f) a medical or other report pertaining to the prisoner including a report of his treatment in the designated country together with any recommendation for further treatment in Tanzania; (g) the address of the prisoner’s last residence; (h) full names and addresses of three referees who are citizens of the United Republic of Tanzania and are at the material time residing in Tanzania; and (i) any other information which the Minister may require to enable him to consider the desirability of a transfer. (3) The Minister may, on receipt of an application under subsection (1), request the designated country to furnish him with information indicating that the prisoner - (a) has applied or consented to the transfer; or (b) by reason of his physical, mental condition or age appears to be incapable of acting for himself, and that an application has been made or consent has been given by another person on behalf of the prisoner. (4) Where the application for transfer of a prisoner to Tanzania has been made by a prisoner or consent for transfer to Tanzania has been given by another person on behalf of a prisoner, and where the prisoner is habitual resident of Tanzania Zanzibar, the Minister shall before making a decision, consult with the Minister responsible for the custody of offenders in the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar regarding the application and, where there is consensus in the affirmative, the provisions of this Act shall mutatis mutandis apply to the transfer. (5) In determining the request for transfer made under subsection (1), the Minister shall not agree to a transfer where the prisoner has less than six months of the sentence remaining to be served except on exceptional circumstances. 493 ©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG. THE TRANSFER OF PRISONERS ACT [CAP. 387 R.E. 2023] Obligation to furnish information - 6 Verify source ↗
Obligation to furnish information
AI-assisted research summary: If the Minister approves a prisoner transfer, the Minister must notify the appropriate authority and issue the required warrant; an aggrieved prisoner or representative may appeal to a court.
6.–(1) Where the Minister determines request for a transfer he shall- (a) inform the appropriate authority of a designated country of the decision; and (b) where he agrees to the transfer, issue a warrant in the prescribed form for that purpose. (2) A prisoner or his representative who is aggrieved by the decision of the Minister may appeal to a court. (3) Where the Minister agrees to the transfer a prisoner, he shall issue a warrant authorising- (a) the bringing of the prisoner from the designated country to the United Republic of Tanzania; (b) the taking of the prisoner by an authorised person to a place of detention as may be indicated in the warrant; and (c) the detention of the prisoner in accordance with the provisions as may be provided in the warrant, being provisions appearing to the Minister to be appropriate for giving effect to the arrangements in accordance with which the prisoner is transferred. - 7 Verify source ↗
8. Means of communicating information on requests
AI-assisted research summary: A citizen of the United Republic may be transferred back to the United Republic from a designated country in specified mental-infitness cases, if the foreign authority requests it and the Attorney General consents.
7. Where a citizen of the United Republic, having been charged with an offence in a designated country, has been- (a) ordered by a court of that country to be detained because he has been found to be insane or mentally disordered or mentally defective prisoner and unfit to stand trial; (b) found guilty of an offence but was insane at the time of the commission of the offence, that person may be transferred to the United Republic at the request of the appropriate authority of that country and with the consent of the Attorney General. Insane or mentally disordered prisoners Means of communicating information on requests - 8 Verify source ↗
Means of communicating information on requests
AI-assisted research summary: Requests to transfer a prisoner, and replies to those requests, must be in writing.
8.–(1) A request for the transfer of a prisoner and the reply thereto shall be made in writing. (2) The communications relating to the transfer of a sentenced prisoner shall be through means as may be prescribed. 494 ©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG. THE TRANSFER OF PRISONERS ACT [CAP. 387 R.E. 2023] Supporting documents - 9 Verify source ↗
Supporting documents
AI-assisted research summary: This section says certain certified copies and certified documents can be accepted as proof of the facts they state.
9.–(1) A certified copy of a judgment or other order referred to in paragraph (c) of section 5(2) shall- (a) be accepted as conclusive proof of the facts stated therein; and (b) have effect as if it were a judgment or other order of a court of competent jurisdiction in Tanzania. (2) A document required under this Act to be certified shall, where that document purports to be certified or signed by a judicial officer of authority or by the person in charge of any penal institution in the country in which the prisoner was detained, and without proof of the signature or the official character of the person by whom it purports to be signed or certified, be accepted as evidence of the facts stated therein unless the contrary is proved. (3) The document referred to in this section, shall when accepted- (a) be treated as though it was duly certified or signed in relation to a person convicted and sentenced in Tanzania; and (b) subject to this Act, have effect according to the terms thereof. Remission - 10 Verify source ↗
Remission
AI-assisted research summary: A transferred prisoner sentenced to imprisonment must be credited with remission already earned at transfer, and may earn remission on the remaining term as if sentenced in Tanzania.
10.–(1) A transferred prisoner sentenced to a term of imprisonment shall be- (a) credited with any remission of that term to which he had become entitled at the date of his transfer in accordance with the law relating to remission of prison sentences in the designated country; and (b) credited to earn remission of the remaining term of imprisonment as if he has been sentenced to a term of imprisonment of the same length by a court in Tanzania. (2) The remission of imprisonment referred to in paragraph (a) of subsection (1) shall be liable to forfeiture for a disciplinary offence as if it were remission earned by virtue of paragraph (b) of subsection (1). 495 ©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG. THE TRANSFER OF PRISONERS ACT [CAP. 387 R.E. 2023] Detention of transferred prisoners Cap. 13 Parole Prerogative of mercy Cap. 2 - 11 Verify source ↗
Detention of transferred prisoners
AI-assisted research summary: A transferred prisoner must be detained in a prison or other institution chosen by the Minister for the remainder of the sentence.
11.–(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, a transferred prisoner shall be detained in a prison or other institution as the Minister may direct for the unexpired portion of his sentence (2) A transferred prisoner who would, if he had been convicted in Tanzania, have been treated by reason of his age as a young offender within the meaning of the Child Act and sentenced accordingly, shall be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of that Act. - 12 Verify source ↗
Parole
AI-assisted research summary: Transferred prisoners on parole in the designated country are to be treated as on parole in Tanzania, and revoked parole time can count toward the sentence. Breaching parole or a conditional pardon triggers the same consequences as respite or conditional pardon under Tanzanian law.
12.–(1) Where a prisoner has, before transfer been released on parole in the designated country and the parole was subsequently revoked, the time spent on parole shall count towards the completion of sentence in Tanzania. (2) A transferred prisoner who is, at the date of his transfer on parole in the designated country in which he was convicted and sentenced shall, upon transfer to Tanzania, be treated as a person on parole, notwithstanding that, a prisoner may not be eligible for parole under the law relating to parole of Tanzania. (3) A breach of any condition of parole or of a conditional of pardon shall render the offender liable to the same consequences as if he had been granted respite, or had been conditionally pardoned, in accordance with the laws of Tanzania. - 13 Verify source ↗
Prerogative of mercy
AI-assisted research summary: The Act does not limit the President’s power to exercise prerogative of mercy, and a pardon given in a designated country for a transferred prisoner has the same effect as a presidential pardon to the extent that the foreign prerogative was exercised.
13.–(1) This Act shall not be construed as limiting the President from exercising prerogative of mercy provided for in Article 45 of the Constitution of the United Republic. (2) Where the prerogative of mercy has been exercised in a designated country in respect of a transferred prisoner, a pardon granted pursuant thereto, shall to the extent to which that prerogative is exercised, have effect as if it were a pardon granted by the President to the transferred prisoner in terms of Article 45 of the Constitution of the United Republic. 496 ©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG. THE TRANSFER OF PRISONERS ACT [CAP. 387 R.E. 2023] Transfer of prisoner from United Republic of Tanzania PART III TRANSFER OF PRISONERS FROM THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA
Part
PART III
- 14 Verify source ↗
Transfer of prisoner from United Republic of Tanzania
AI-assisted research summary: This section lets a prisoner apply in writing to be transferred to a designated country and sets out the Minister’s and Prisons Commissioner’s steps if the transfer is agreed.
14.–(1) Where an agreement between Tanzania and a designated country has been or is deemed to have been entered into, the Principal Commissioner of Prisons shall, as far as practicable, cause to be informed prisoners who are citizens of designated country of the purpose of the agreement. (2) A prisoner may apply in writing to the Minister through the Principal Commissioner of Prisons to be transferred to a designated country. (3) The Minister shall, where he agrees to the application for the transfer, cause to be sent to the responsible person of the designated country- (a) the application made by the prisoner or certified copy of the application; and (b) particulars of the kind set out in section 5. (4) Where the designated country agrees to the transfer of a prisoner, the Minister shall cause to be sent to appropriate authority a request for a warrant issued under subsection (3), authorising the taking of the sentenced prisoner from his place of detention to a place of departure in Tanzania and his delivery at that place into the custody of the responsible authority of the country to which the sentenced prisoner is to be transferred. (5) Where an application for transfer outside the United Republic has been made by a prisoner or consent for the transfer has been given by another person on behalf of the prisoner, and where the prisoner is detained in Tanzania Zanzibar, the Minister shall before making any decision consult with the Minister responsible for the custody of offenders in the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar regarding the application and, where there is consensus in the affirmative, the provisions of this Act shall mutatis mutandis apply to the transfer. 497 ©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG. THE TRANSFER OF PRISONERS ACT [CAP. 387 R.E. 2023] Prisoner in lawful custody during transfer Continued enforcement Cap. 2 Termination of enforcement PART IV CUSTODY AND TRANSFER OF PRISONERS
Part
PART IV
- 15 Verify source ↗
Prisoner in lawful custody during transfer
AI-assisted research summary: A prisoner being transferred to or from Tanzania is treated as being in the lawful custody of the authorized escorting person.
15.–(1) A prisoner, while being transferred to or from Tanzania, shall be deemed to be in lawful custody of the person who is duly authorised to escort him. (2) Where a prisoner referred to under subsection (1) escapes from the lawful custody, he shall be treated in the same manner as a person escaping from custody under a warrant issued for his arrest in Tanzania. - 16 Verify source ↗
Continued enforcement
AI-assisted research summary: If a transferred sentenced prisoner’s foreign sentence is incompatible with United Republic law, the President must invoke Article 45 of the Constitution.
16. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Act, where the sentence imposed by the foreign country upon a sentenced prisoner who is transferred to Tanzania by its nature or duration is incompatible with any law of the United Republic, the President shall invoke the provisions of Article 45 of the Constitution of the United Republic: Provided that, the legal nature of the sentence imposed shall so far as possible, correspond with that of the sentence imposed by a foreign country - 17 Verify source ↗
Termination of enforcement
AI-assisted research summary: If the relevant sentence has been pardoned, made unenforceable, or completed, the prisoner is no longer detained just because of that sentence; the Minister must promptly notify the designated country in the foreign-prisoner case.
17.–(1) Where a prisoner is serving a sentence in Tanzania consequent upon transfer, and the Minister is satisfied that, the designated country from which he has been transferred has immediately before his transfer to Tanzania exercised the power of pardon or any other power which renders the sentence no longer enforceable in that country, or that the sentence completed, the prisoner shall no longer be subject to detention by reason only of that sentence. (2) Where a foreign sentenced prisoner is serving a sentence in a designated country consequent upon his transfer from Tanzania under this Act, and the power which renders the sentence no longer enforceable in Tanzania has been exercised or the sentence has been completed, the Minister shall forthwith inform the designated country to which the foreign prisoner was transferred that, he is no longer subject to detention by reason only of that sentence. 498 ©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG. THE TRANSFER OF PRISONERS ACT [CAP. 387 R.E. 2023] Cost of transfer of sentenced prisoners - 18 Verify source ↗
Cost of transfer of sentenced prisoners
AI-assisted research summary: This section says who pays the cost of transferring a prisoner and lets the Minister require an undertaking to pay.
18.–(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, the cost of a transfer of a prisoner under this Act shall be borne out by Tanzania and the designated country in the proportion as may be agreed upon by them. (2) Subject to the provisions of subsection (4), in the case of a transfer of a prisoner who is a Tanzanian citizen, the expenses of the transfer shall be borne by the prisoner or by his agent, and for this purpose, the Minister shall have the power to require a person with or without a surety to give an undertaking to pay the expenses to the Minister. (3) The expenses referred to in subsection (2) shall be regarded as a civil debt owed to the Government of Tanzania. (4) The provisions of subsections (2) and (3) shall not apply where it appears to the Minister that, it would be unreasonable for him to exercise the power conferred by these subsections because- (a) of the exceptional circumstances of the case; or (b) the means of the sentenced prisoner are insufficient to meet the expenses, and their recovery, whether immediately or at some future time, from the sentenced prisoner or from any other source is impracticable. Transit prisoners - 19 Verify source ↗
Transit prisoners
AI-assisted research summary: A country seeking to move a prisoner through Tanzania must apply to the Minister for permission, and the Minister may refuse transit in specified cases.
19.–(1) Where- (a) a designated country has agreed with a third country to transfer a prisoner into or out of its territory pursuant to an arrangement relating to the transfer of prisoners; and (b) that country seeking permission for the prisoner and escorting officer to land and transit in Tanzania during the course of the transfer, shall apply to the Minister, for a permission to land and transit in Tanzania. (2) The Minister may refuse to issue a permit for transit where- (a) the person sought to be transferred is a citizen of Tanzania; (b) the offence for which the sentence was imposed is not an offence under the laws of Tanzania; or 499 ©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG. THE TRANSFER OF PRISONERS ACT [CAP. 387 R.E. 2023] Regulations (c) the person being transferred is wanted in Tanzania in respect of any offence against the laws of Tanzania. (3) A permit issued under subsection (1) shall not authorise the holding of the prisoner in custody in Tanzania for a time as is reasonably necessary to facilitate the transfer between the requesting country and the country of destination. (4) A prisoner who is being transferred pursuant to a permit issued under subsection (1) shall not while in Tanzania, be detained or otherwise subjected to any restriction on his liberty in respect of an offence committed or sentence imposed prior to his departure from the territory of the designated country. - 20 Verify source ↗
Regulations
AI-assisted research summary: The Minister may make regulations needed to better administer the Act.
20.–(1) The Minister may make regulations as may be necessary for better and proper administration of this Act. (2) Regulations made under this section may provide for- (a) the form and manner in which a prisoner may apply to be transferred to or from Tanzania; (b) any matter which is required or permitted to be prescribed under this Act; and (c) generally any matter in respect of which the Minister considers it necessary or expedient to make regulations for carrying into effect the purposes of this Act. (3) Different regulations may be made in respect of different designated countries. Omitted - 21 Verify source ↗
Omitted
AI-assisted research summary: This section is omitted.
21. [Omitted]. 500 ©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG.
Provision text is displayed from LexChat’s stored statute record. Use the official source links to verify amendments, commencement, and current legal force.
Ask AI about this statute
The Transfer of Prisoners Act
Sign in to ask AI about this statute
Sign in to start authenticated, citation-grounded statute research.
Sign in