It took over the executive powers and the property rights of the Home Secretary, but considerable powers remained with the Home Office, including the appointment of a chairman from among the commissioners, of HM Prison Inspectorate and of the senior officers of each prison, the approval of appointments of staff made by the commissioners and the regulation of visiting committees of justices.
The commissioners were appointed by royal warrant on the recommendation of the Home Secretary and were salaried.
[1] The commission was a body corporate of not more than five members and was empowered to hold property for the purposes of the Act.
It also submitted annual reports on every prison to the Home Office for presentation to Parliament, together with other returns.
The commissioners were assisted in their work by a central staff, by the Prison Inspectorate and by visiting committees of justices, which acted under regulations drawn up by the Home Office.