Drone incidents at Isle of Man Prison

Summary

A request was made for details on drone incidents, seizures, and smuggled items at Isle of Man Prison between 2020 and 2025, but the Department of Home Affairs refused to disclose any information.

Key Facts

• The request covered drone sightings and incidents at Isle of Man Prison at Jurby from January 1, 2020, to November 1, 2025.
• The Department of Home Affairs withheld all information citing Section 32(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015.
• The exemption was applied because disclosure could prejudice the maintenance of security and good order in the prison.
• The authority determined that the public interest in maintaining security outweighed the interest in transparency.
• The requester was informed of their right to an internal review or an appeal to the Information Commissioner.

Data Disclosed

• January 1, 2020
• November 1, 2025
• November 6, 2025
• December 5, 2025
• 5065073

Exemptions Cited

• Section 32(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Law Enforcement)
• Prejudice to the maintenance of security and good order in institutions under the Custody Act 1995

Original Request

Could you please provide details of the number of drone sightings or incidents around Isle of Man Prison at Jurby between January 1, 2020 and November 1, 2025? Could you break down those numbers by each year?

Could you please provide details on what action was taken in each case and whether the drones were seized, broken down by each year?

Of those that have been seized could you provide details of any items the drones were carrying in an attempt to smuggle them into prison (e.g. drugs, mobile phones, weapons, etc.), again broken down by each year?