Calculation of Release Dates

Summary

The requester asked for the open calculation sheet used by the Prison Service to determine release dates for offenders sentenced between 12 months and 4 years. The Department of Home Affairs responded by sending the requested information in full.

Key Facts

• The request concerned the calculation of various sentence stages including conditional release and the half-way point.
• The Department of Home Affairs confirmed that all requested information was sent.
• The response included copies of the calculation sheet allowing inspection of formulae.
• The request was processed within 9 days of receipt.
• The authority provided details on how to request an internal review or appeal to the Information Commissioner.

Data Disclosed

• 1416621
• 2020-08-11
• 2020-08-20
• 12 months
• 4 years
• 2 pages
• 1 document
• 01624 694313
• 01624 621298
• IM2 5AP

Original Request

When an Offender is sentenced to a period of custody between 12 months and under 4 years, the Prison Service calculates various stages in the offenders sentence. These stages relate to committal details, the conditional release date, the sentence, any extension due to licence conditions, the release from custody date, (the half-way point) and various other variables. Please provide me with the open calculation sheet that will allow me to inspect the formulae within the calculations.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Chief Executive's Office DHA Headquarters Tromode, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM2 5AP

Telephone: (01624) 694313 Fax: (01624) 621298 Web address: www.gov.im/dha Email: GeneralEnquiries.DHA@dha.gov.im

Our ref: 1416621 20 August 2020

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 11 August 2020 and which states:

"When an Offender is sentenced to a period of custody between 12 months and under 4 years, the Prison Service calculates various stages in the offenders sentence. These stages relate to committal details, the conditional release date, the sentence, any extension due to licence conditions, the release from custody date, (the half-way point) and various other variables. Please provide me with the open calculation sheet that will allow me to inspect the formulae within the calculations."

Our response to your request is as follows: I have enclosed copies of the information that is being released to you.

Please quote the reference number 1416621 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on;

1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or
2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
   In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely