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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-05-09 | Investigation Of Abbotswood and Lockdown meeting with Army | Information not held |
| The requester asked the Department of Home Affairs for details on hiring EXPOL for the Abbotswood investigation and the purpose/outcomes of a Chief Constable meeting with Army personnel in 2020. The Department stated it does not hold the specific information requested but clarified that the Army visit was a reconnaissance mission to assess pandemic response capabilities. | ||
| 2022-02-14 | Offence relating to cannabis | Information not held |
| A request was made to the Department of Home Affairs for detailed statistics on cannabis prosecutions, fines, and court costs on the Isle of Man since March 2019. The authority responded that it does not hold the requested information and suggested contacting the Attorney General's Chambers instead. | ||
| 2022-01-20 | Roberts Report | Information not held |
| A request was made for the 'Roberts Report' and related correspondence regarding an Employment and Equality Tribunal case, but the Department of Home Affairs confirmed it does not hold the information. | ||
| 2021-09-13 | Property ownership - Private and individual | Information not held |
| A request was made for statistics on residential property ownership by individuals, couples, and businesses on the Isle of Man. The Department of Home Affairs responded that they do not hold the requested information and suggested contacting the Cabinet Office instead. | ||
| 2021-09-06 | Data relating to speeding enforcement carried out by SNPT | Information not held |
| The requester asked for specific speed records and enforcement outcomes for eight drivers stopped by the Southern Neighbourhood Policing Team on August 31, 2021. The Department of Home Affairs responded that they do not hold this information and directed the requester to contact the Isle of Man Constabulary directly. | ||
| 2021-09-03 | MHK's Business/Shares Interests | Information not held |
| A request was made for a list of shares and business interests held by MHK and civil servants, including purchase dates. The Department of Home Affairs responded that the information is not held and cannot be found after reasonable steps. | ||
| 2021-06-16 | Integrity of electronically stored Court Judgment Originals | Information not held |
| 2021-05-10 | Information regarding assaults on Licensees and their staff | Information not held |
| 2021-05-04 | Children reported knocked down by a vehcile in Cedar Grove Pulrose | Information not held |
| A request was made for statistics on children knocked down by vehicles in Cedar Grove, Pulrose over the last 10 years. The Department of Home Affairs responded that they do not hold this information and directed the requester to the Isle of Man Constabulary. | ||
| 2021-04-23 | Covid breaches travel | Information not held |
| A request was made to the Department of Home Affairs for the number of individuals who breached 21-day isolation regulations after traveling from the UK. The authority responded that the information is not held by the department and suggested contacting the Isle of Man Constabulary or Cabinet Office instead. | ||
| 2021-04-23 | Covid travel to Island breached | Information not held |
| The requester asked for the number of travelers apprehended for breaching 21-day isolation regulations on the Isle of Man. The Department of Home Affairs responded that they do not hold this information and suggested contacting the Isle of Man Constabulary or Cabinet Office instead. | ||
| 2021-03-15 | small claims court | Information not held |
| A requester asked the Department of Home Affairs if a specific individual had been charged in small claims court for non-payment to tradesmen. The authority responded that it does not hold the requested information and suggested it may be held by the General Registry. | ||
| 2021-03-10 | Information about traffic incidents/accidents on Poortown Road Peel | Information not held |
| The requester asked for six years of traffic collision data and reports on dangerous driving on Poortown Road, Peel. The Department of Home Affairs responded that they do not hold this information and directed the requester to the Isle of Man Constabulary. | ||
| 2020-12-14 | Prosecutions | Information not held |
| The requester asked for statistics on court appearances and sentencing for breaches of Emergency Powers Regulations since March 2020. The Department of Home Affairs responded that they do not hold this information and suggested contacting the Court General Registry instead. | ||
| 2020-11-18 | Number of individuals in self-isolation | Information not held |
| A request was made to the Department of Home Affairs for the number of individuals in self-isolation on the Isle of Man as of November 18, 2020. The authority responded that they do not hold this information and suggested contacting the Cabinet Office instead. | ||
| 2020-11-02 | FOI request for foundation evidence | Information not held |
| A request was made for scientific and legal evidence justifying the classification and control of cannabis under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1976. The Department of Home Affairs responded that the requested information is not held by the department. | ||
| 2020-10-22 | Freedom Of Information Request, Company Memorandum | Information not held |
| A request was made for the Memorandum of Articles of Association for the Isle of Man Courts of Justice, but the Department of Home Affairs responded that they do not hold this information. | ||
| 2020-10-22 | Freedom Of Information Request. Company Memorandum | Information not held |
| A request was made for the Memorandum of Articles of Association for the Isle of Man Courts of Justice, but the Department of Home Affairs responded that they do not hold this information. | ||
| 2020-10-08 | Key Workers | Information not held |
| The requester asked for copies of entry certificates issued to Key Workers under specific coronavirus regulations. The Department of Home Affairs responded that they do not hold this information because they do not issue such certificates. | ||
| 2020-09-14 | Travel requests | Information not held |
| A request was made to the Department of Home Affairs for statistics on travel requests, exemptions, and border control data for non-residents and residents. The authority responded that it does not hold the requested information and suggested contacting the Cabinet Office instead. | ||
| 2020-09-09 | Senior Officers in the Fire Service in GUS | Information not held |
| A request was made for statistics regarding Fire Service senior officers' pension contributions, lump sum payments, and monthly pension receipts. The Department of Home Affairs responded that the information is not held by them and suggested contacting the PSPA instead. | ||
| 2020-08-12 | Southern African population on the IOM | Information not held |
| A request was made to the Department of Home Affairs for the number of Southern African residents on the Isle of Man, but the authority responded that the information is not held. | ||
| 2020-07-15 | Comis Hotel | Information not held |
| A request was made for risk assessments regarding the use of Comis Hotel as a detention center for repatriated residents, specifically concerning vulnerable groups. The Department of Home Affairs responded that they do not hold the requested information and suggested contacting the Cabinet Office instead. | ||
| 2020-07-13 | Sexual Offenders Statistics | Information not held |
| A request was made for detailed statistics on sexual offenders, including registration numbers, re-offending rates, and UK offender transfers to the Isle of Man. The Department of Home Affairs responded that the requested information is not held. | ||
| 2020-07-03 | Total persons jailed for Covid offences. | Information not held |
| A request was made for the total number of persons jailed for breaching Emergency Powers Regulations 2020 by the end of the State of Emergency. The Department of Home Affairs responded that they do not hold this information and suggested contacting the General Registry instead. | ||
| 2020-05-15 | Arrest and sentencing of Juveniles for Covid-19 offences in 2020. | Information not held |
| A request was made for statistics on juvenile arrests and custodial sentences for breaching 2020 Emergency Powers Regulations in the Isle of Man. The Department of Home Affairs responded that they do not hold this information and advised the requester to contact the Department of Health and Social Care instead. | ||
| 2020-05-14 | Number of defendants remanded in custody for mental health problems | Information not held |
| A request was made for the number of defendants remanded in custody as a place of safety due to mental health problems in 2018 and 2019. The Department of Home Affairs responded that they do not hold this information and suggested contacting the Isle of Man Constabulary, while clarifying that 'remand to a place of safety' is not a valid legal procedure. | ||
| 2020-04-30 | Custodial sentences arising from breach of Covid-19 Regulations | Information not held |
| A request was made to the Department of Home Affairs for statistics on custodial sentences, arrests, and fixed penalty notices related to breaches of Covid-19 Emergency Powers Regulations. The authority responded that it does not hold the requested information, suggesting the General Registry and Isle of Man Constabulary as alternative sources. | ||
| 2020-04-09 | Police injury awards. | Information not held |
| A request was made for statistics on former Isle of Man police officers receiving injury awards and related reviews, but the Department of Home Affairs stated they do not hold this information. | ||
| 2020-03-09 | Phone call to Control Room | Information not held |
| 2020-03-09 | fuel deliveries | Information not held |
| A request was made to the Department of Home Affairs for details on recent and upcoming fuel and gas deliveries due to concerns over transport restrictions. The authority responded that it does not hold this information and suggested contacting the Department of Infrastructure instead. | ||
| 2020-02-27 | Number of road traffic incidents Hillberry Road Area | Information not held |
| A request was made for statistics on road traffic incidents, illegal parking notices, and complaints in the Hillberry Road and Onchan areas over the past five years. The Department of Home Affairs responded that they do not hold this information and suggested contacting the Department of Infrastructure or the Onchan District Commissioner instead. | ||
| 2020-01-27 | UFO Sightings. | Information not held |
| A request was made for information regarding UFO or UAP sightings over and around the Isle of Man. The Department of Home Affairs responded that no such information is held by the authority. | ||
| 2020-01-27 | Marina Development | Information not held |
| The requester asked the Department of Home Affairs for details on parties invited to submit proposals for a new marina development and the associated timescales. The authority responded that it does not hold the requested information and suggested contacting the Department of Infrastructure instead. | ||
| 2020-01-09 | Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service road traffic collisions | Information not held |
| A request was made for monthly statistics on road traffic collisions involving Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service vehicles over the last five years. The Department of Home Affairs responded that the information is not held as there is no centralised record of such incidents. | ||
| 2019-11-15 | Crimes reported, crime reference numbers issued, AG advice sought | Information not held |
| A request was made for a 36-month breakdown of crime reports, reference numbers, and Attorney General advice cases, but the Department of Home Affairs responded that they do not hold this information. | ||
| 2019-11-14 | Police crime numbers and reporting crimes | Information not held |
| A request was made to the Department of Home Affairs regarding police procedures for reporting crimes and issuing crime numbers. The authority responded that it does not hold the requested information and suggested contacting the Isle of Man Constabulary directly. | ||
| 2019-11-14 | Protocol for criminal offences involving a Deemster | Information not held |
| A request was made for the protocol regarding police duties when a Deemster commits a criminal offence, but the Department of Home Affairs responded that they do not hold this information. | ||
| 2019-11-14 | Judicial conduct investigations | Information not held |
| A request was made to the Department of Home Affairs regarding procedures for investigating judicial misconduct, including impartiality measures and reporting duties. The authority responded that it does not hold the requested information and suggested contacting the General Registry instead. | ||
| 2019-10-10 | Video footage from Fire Engines in attendance at Glen Road, Laxey | Information not held |
| A request was made for dash cam footage from fire engines attending severe flooding in Laxey on 1 October 2019, but the Department of Home Affairs responded that the information is not held. | ||
| 2019-09-26 | White Hoe | Information not held |
| A request was made for five-year statistics on police calls, assaults, ambulance usage, and substance incidents at White Hoe's secure and non-secure units. The Department of Home Affairs responded that they do not hold the requested information and suggested contacting the Isle of Man Constabulary or the Department of Health and Social Care instead. | ||
| 2019-08-06 | Prison officers absence | Information not held |
| A request was made for the total days of prisoner absence from work and the formula used for compensation, but the Department of Home Affairs responded that this information is not held. | ||
| 2019-07-19 | Evidence of finding of an investiagtion | Information not held |
| The requester asked for a copy of a complaint, findings, and evidence from an investigation against them, but the Department of Home Affairs stated they do not hold this information. | ||
| 2019-02-28 | Question to the Attorney Generals office. | Information not held |
| A request was made for information regarding the Isle of Man Children's Centre and a 2004 asset transfer scheme approved by the Attorney General's office and the High Court. The Department of Home Affairs responded that they do not hold the requested information and suggested contacting the Attorney General's Chambers instead. | ||
| 2019-02-05 | Guilty plea to lesser charges | Information not held |
| 2018-09-17 | Appendix C - Karran Enquiry on Parole Sysyem | Information not held |
| A request was made for specific transcripts (pages 79-110) from the Karran Enquiry on the Parole System, but the Department of Home Affairs responded that they do not hold this information. | ||
| 2018-09-12 | Ex Police Officers working for IOM Constabulary | Information not held |
| A request was made to the Department of Home Affairs for details on retired or resigned police officers currently employed by the Isle of Man Constabulary, including their roles, qualifications, and costs. The authority responded that it does not hold this information and advised the requester to contact the Isle of Man Constabulary directly as a separate FOI authority. | ||
| 2018-09-03 | Police recruitment | Information not held |
| 2018-07-30 | Damage to Vehicles | Information not held |
| 2018-07-23 | Road traffic accidents | Information not held |
| A request was made for statistics on single-vehicle road traffic accidents and their causes over the last five years. The Department of Home Affairs responded that they do not hold this specific information, suggesting the applicant contact the Isle of Man Constabulary or consult the Chief Constable's Report. | ||
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