Department of Home Affairs
103 FOI requests | Full disclosure rate: 75.7%
The Freedom of Information requests to the Department of Home Affairs reveal an authority that is highly transparent regarding its own administrative spending and prison operational policies, yet structurally fragmented when it comes to policing data. A clear pattern emerges where the DHA readily discloses financial details, such as the £4.20 daily prison food cost (921153), the lack of Manx-made bread in prisons (1252086), and the specifics of fire safety self-regulation (415933). However, the department frequently acts as a gatekeeper rather than a data holder for law enforcement, consistently responding with 'Information not held' to queries about crime statistics, traffic accidents, and arrest numbers, directing requesters to the separate Isle of Man Constabulary (e.g., 540837, 1049662). This creates a transparency gap where the public can see the cost of running the prison but struggles to get a unified picture of police activity.
Key Cases
Case 377143 — This case is notable for addressing a sensitive human rights issue: the lack of a specific policy for transgender and gender-fluid prisoners, revealing that care is managed via individual plans rather than standardized protocol, which raises questions about consistency in treatment.
Case 1294977 — A critical disclosure during the pandemic, this case confirmed that 24 individuals were sentenced to custody for breaching emergency regulations, providing concrete evidence of the severity of the government's enforcement strategy during the crisis.
Case 415933 — This case exposed a significant regulatory gap in fire safety, revealing that the system relies heavily on self-regulation with minimal prosecutions, challenging the public's assumption of active enforcement for flat and licensed premises safety.
Case 927918 — Regarding the ITV programme 'The Best Little Prison in Britain', the DHA refused to release most internal documents, citing they were 'reasonably accessible' via Hansard. This highlights the tension between media scrutiny and the department's interpretation of public availability exemptions.
Case 2005465 — This request provided a comprehensive breakdown of resignations and workforce statistics within the Prison & Probation Service, offering rare insight into staff retention and the internal stability of the correctional system over a three-year period.
Related FOI Stories
Prison Operations, Welfare, and Procurement — #377143, #379735, #415636, #636965, #709665
Fire Safety Enforcement and Emergency Response — #415933, #356127, #361209, #743265, #762066
Policing Data Fragmentation and Jurisdictional Deflection — #413642, #373633, #445035, #540837, #575339
Pandemic Enforcement and Emergency Powers — #1277345, #1293345, #1294977, #1354141, #1601449
Government Property and Financial Transparency — #379238, #378340, #378936, #379240, #451740
All (103)
Information not held (103) ·
All information sent (78) ·
Some information sent but not all held (48) ·
Some information sent but part exempt (17) ·
No information sent - all held but exempt (12) ·
Request lapsed - requested information not provided (3) ·
Not upheld (3) ·
Repeated request (2) ·
Not required to fulfill request (2) ·
| Date | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-03 | Correspondence between Dept of Home Affairs and UK Ministry of Justice | Information not held |
| A request was made for correspondence between the Isle of Man Department of Home Affairs and the UK Ministry of Justice regarding the Assisted Dying Bill 2023 since February 2025. The authority responded that no such information is held, confirming there has been no correspondence on this matter. | ||
| 2025-12-09 | Operation Talla and covid | Information not held |
| The requester asked the Department of Home Affairs to confirm if the Isle of Man Constabulary adhered to 'Operation Talla' regarding Midazolam and COVID vaccine evidence, or if a specific meeting with the British Army discussed it. The authority responded that it does not hold the requested information, noting that the Constabulary ran its own separate COVID operation. | ||
| 2025-11-28 | Immigration work visas for retail and hospitality jobs | Information not held |
| A request was made for a breakdown of immigration work visas issued for retail and hospitality sectors on the Isle of Man from 2020 to present, including countries of origin. The Department of Home Affairs responded that they do not hold this information and suggested contacting the Treasury instead. | ||
| 2025-09-02 | Freedom of Information Request - Mental Health Service Improv | Information not held |
| A request for documentation on mental health services in the Isle of Man Prison between 2019 and 2025 was partially refused because the Department of Home Affairs does not hold specific mental health policies or staffing data, noting that existing custody forms do not define service users as having mental health issues. | ||
| 2025-08-05 | Ref FOI 3415754 Prison listening devices | Information not held |
| The requester asked for official notes and statistics regarding interviews related to a previous FOI request about prison listening devices. The Department of Home Affairs responded that no such information is held as searches revealed no recorded interviews were conducted. | ||
| 2025-05-22 | PFAS-containing fire fighting foams | Information not held |
| A request was made to the Department of Home Affairs regarding the historical and current use of PFAS-containing firefighting foams on the Isle of Man. The authority responded that the requested information is not held. | ||
| 2025-03-20 | Percentages | Information not held |
| The requester asked for night shift statistics for Port Security supervisors over six years and details on percentage payments over 20 years, but the Department of Home Affairs stated it does not hold this information. | ||
| 2024-12-31 | Settlement Agreements | Information not held |
| A request was made for statistics and templates regarding Settlement Agreements issued by the Department of Home Affairs between September 2021 and January 2025. The authority responded that no such information is held for non-Public Service Commission staff, while noting that PSC staff and the IOM Constabulary fall under separate jurisdictions. | ||
| 2024-11-18 | MT Buyout | Information not held |
| A request was made for all correspondence held by the Home Affairs Minister regarding Manx Telecom's offer for a government buyout. The Department of Home Affairs responded that the information is not held. | ||
| 2024-11-11 | Prohibited Steps Order | Information not held |
| A request was made for statistics on Prohibited Steps Orders and child removal cases over the last 15 years, but the Department of Home Affairs refused to provide the data as it is not centrally collated. | ||
| 2024-11-04 | Accidents/Injuries along the area of Castletown Beach Sea Wall/Defence | Information not held |
| A request was made for records of accidents or injuries along the Castletown Beach Sea Wall and access paths since its construction. The Department of Home Affairs responded that they do not hold this information and suggested contacting the Castletown Commissioners instead. | ||
| 2024-10-31 | Request for Information | Information not held |
| 2024-10-21 | Chief Constable Awards | Information not held |
| A request was made to the Department of Home Affairs for the costs of hosting the Chief Constable Awards over the last five years, including venue and catering. The authority responded that the information is not held because the event is organized by the Isle of Man Constabulary, a separate public authority. | ||
| 2024-10-15 | Economic crime unit | Information not held |
| A request for information regarding the Economic Crime Unit's asset confiscations, staffing, and accountability was submitted to the Department of Home Affairs. The authority responded that it does not hold the information because the unit is actually located within the Isle of Man Constabulary, a separate public authority. | ||
| 2024-09-25 | Cases of People Trafficking and Immigration Fraud | Information not held |
| A request was made to the Department of Home Affairs for statistics on suspected immigration fraud and people trafficking incidents on the Isle of Man over the last two years. The authority responded that it does not hold this specific information and advised the requester to contact the Isle of Man Constabulary instead. | ||
| 2024-09-24 | Background checks on foreign nationals | Information not held |
| The requester asked the Department of Home Affairs how background checks are conducted on foreign nationals invited by Locate IOM. The authority responded that it does not hold this information and advised redirecting the request to the Department for Enterprise or the Treasury. | ||
| 2024-09-03 | Community policing replaced with reactive policing | Information not held |
| A request was made to the Department of Home Affairs for data on policing strategy changes, firearms units, knife crime statistics, and associated costs. The authority responded that it does not hold the requested information and advised the requester to contact the Isle of Man Constabulary directly. | ||
| 2024-09-02 | FoI Costs | Information not held |
| 2024-08-27 | Safer Custody Prison | Information not held |
| A request was made for Safer Custody policy documents from late 2022 to early 2023 and data on staff departures citing deaths in custody. The Department of Home Affairs responded that the information is not held, as no specific 'safer custody' policies exist separately from general prison policies and no records are kept regarding the reasons for staff leaving. | ||
| 2024-07-23 | Calls to Emergency Services Joint Control Room | Information not held |
| The requester asked for the Emergency Services Joint Control Room's policy and retention schedule for recorded calls. The Department of Home Affairs stated it does not hold a specific written policy but disclosed that call records are retained for 7 years with automatic deletion unless extended for investigative purposes. | ||
| 2024-07-05 | Coronavirus Regulations | Information not held |
| A request was made to the Department of Home Affairs for details regarding Coronavirus Regulations, lockdowns, and circuit breakers in the Isle of Man. The authority responded that it does not hold the requested information and advised the requester to contact other government departments or consult specific legislation websites. | ||
| 2024-07-05 | Coronavirus Regulations | Information not held |
| A request was made to the Department of Home Affairs to determine when Coronavirus Regulations were revoked on the Isle of Man. The authority responded that it does not hold the requested information and directed the requester to the Clerk of Tynwald's Office and specific legislation websites. | ||
| 2024-05-21 | Reports of Wildlife Crime | Information not held |
| A request was made to the Department of Home Affairs for details on Wildlife Crime Officers and crime statistics for the last five years. The authority responded that they do not hold the requested information and suggested the requester contact the Isle of Man Constabulary instead. | ||
| 2024-05-08 | Query regarding Sexual Assault Referral Centre. | Information not held |
| A request was made to the Department of Home Affairs for annual user statistics of the Sexual Assault Referral Centre since its opening. The authority responded that it does not hold this information and suggested contacting Manx Care instead. | ||
| 2024-04-15 | Fire and Rescue Service callout charges | Information not held |
| The requester asked for statistics on charges issued and paid for emergency fire callouts over the last five years, but the Department of Home Affairs responded that the information is not held because emergency callouts are not charged. | ||
| 2024-04-03 | 999 Calls | Information not held |
| 2023-11-15 | Fire+ Rescue Service and Constabulary response to medical emergencies | Information not held |
| 2023-11-09 | Ref 3490909 - expansion of FOI request | Information not held |
| 2023-10-31 | Number of fines for no tv licence | Information not held |
| 2023-10-30 | Drugs tests on prison officers | Information not held |
| 2023-10-10 | Trans Victims | Information not held |
| 2023-10-10 | Katie Hopkins event at The Manx Legion Club in September 2023 | Information not held |
| 2023-09-21 | Police vehicle recovery contract | Information not held |
| 2023-08-08 | Sexual Violence / Domestic Abuse Report 2022/23 | Information not held |
| 2023-04-07 | DBS checks | Information not held |
| 2023-03-29 | Government funded rehabilitation placements | Information not held |
| 2023-03-20 | Adoption and Fostering | Information not held |
| 2023-03-14 | Office Cyber Security and Information Assurance | Information not held |
| 2023-02-23 | TikTok | Information not held |
| 2023-01-24 | Suicide & Misadventure Verdicts | Information not held |
| 2023-01-10 | Sickness Meetings at the Prison | Information not held |
| 2022-12-06 | dogs worrying statistics | Information not held |
| 2022-10-21 | His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary ("HMIC") Report | Information not held |
| 2022-09-27 | Police call outs to Pulrose in the last 12 months | Information not held |
| 2022-08-23 | Police Pension scheme transfers | Information not held |
| A request was made to the Department of Home Affairs for the number of police officers transferred to the 1991 pension scheme since April 2018 and the associated costs. The authority responded that it does not hold the requested information and suggested contacting other departments. | ||
| 2022-08-11 | Legal advice | Information not held |
| The requester asked if the Department of Home Affairs sought legal advice in 2020 regarding quarantine charges and the use of the Comis Hotel. The authority responded that it did not hold such information because the Department of Infrastructure, not Home Affairs, was responsible for establishing the facility. | ||
| 2022-07-11 | Ransomware Attacks | Information not held |
| A request was made for records of six reported ransomware attacks on Isle of Man businesses in 2022, but the Department of Home Affairs responded that they do not hold this information. | ||
| 2022-07-06 | Employee Resident Status | Information not held |
| A request was made for details on non-resident employees within the Department of Home Affairs, specifically regarding the Isle of Man Prison, including names, salaries, and appointment approvals. The authority responded that the information is not held by the Department as employee records are maintained by the Office of Human Resources in the Cabinet Office. | ||
| 2022-05-19 | Court Fees - Parking offences | Information not held |
| The requester asked for statistics on parking offence appeals and associated court fees for 2021 and 2022. The Department of Home Affairs responded that they do not hold this information and directed the requester to the General Registry. | ||
| 2022-05-19 | Final number of Covid arrests and sentences | Information not held |
| The requester asked for final statistics on arrests and custodial sentences for breaching Coronavirus Regulations in the Isle of Man between March 2020 and April 2022. The Department of Home Affairs responded that they do not hold this information because the most recent Constabulary Annual Report containing the data has not yet been provided to them. | ||
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