Most of them are combinations of spoken word and hand gestures, though there are versions of most spells that are only spoken or only gestured (Ambrose prefers the gesture-only versions of spells, but most people opt for the combination because they're easier to learn as you don't have to be as precise). No wands or anything like that are used.

Prisoners aren't able to learn magic right now, although if they learned what to do they could potentially be able to perform the spell right away as soon as their powers are restored.