UK prisoner transfers

Summary

The request sought monthly prisoner transfer data to the UK since 2020 and details on non-resident prisoners awaiting transfer. The Department of Home Affairs provided the transfer statistics but refused the other queries under FOIA exemptions regarding the creation of new information.

Key Facts

• The request was received on 2024-08-14 and responded to on 2024-09-04.
• Monthly prisoner transfer numbers to the UK were provided for specific months between January 2020 and July 2024.
• Questions regarding the residency status of prisoners and those awaiting transfer were refused.
• The refusal was based on the requirement to inspect individual records and compile new information.
• The Department cited Section 8(3) and Section 11(2)(b) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015.

Data Disclosed

• Jan-20: 1
• Jul-21: 2
• Sep-21: 3
• Jan-22: 1
• Feb-22: 1
• May-22: 3
• Jun-22: 1
• Jul-22: 2
• Sep-22: 2
• Oct-22: 3
• May-23: 1
• Jun-23: 1
• May-24: 1
• Jul-24: 1
• 2024-08-14
• 2024-09-04
• 4059807

Exemptions Cited

• s8(3) of the FOIA (no requirement to create or derive information)
• s11(2)(b) of the FOIA (practical refusal reason)
• s11(3)(b) of the FOIA

Original Request

The number of prisoners that have been transfered to the UK each month since 1st Jan 2020 to 19th August 2024. How many IOM prisoners are usually resident outside of the Isle of Man, UK or otherwise. How many of these UK, or otherwise, residents are convicted, sentenced, and awaiting transfer.

Data Tables (1)

Data Tables (reformatted)

Full Response Text

Freedom of Information Coordinator DHA Headquarters Tromode Road, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM2 5AP Telephone: (01624) 687017 Web address: www.gov.im/dha
Email: DPO-DHA@dha.gov.im
Our ref: 4059807 4th September 2024
Dear ### We write further to your request, received 14 August 2024, which states: 1."The number of prisoners that have been transfered to the UK each month since 1st Jan 2020 to 19th August 2024. 2. How many IOM prisoners are usually resident outside of the Isle of Man, UK or otherwise. 3. How many of these UK, or otherwise, residents are convicted, sentenced, and awaiting transfer." The information for Question 1 has been obtained and provided below. Jan-20 1 Jul-21 2 Sep-21
3 Jan-22 1 Feb-22 1 May-22 3 Jun-22 1 Jul-22 2 Sep-22
2 Oct-22 3 May-23 1 Jun-23 1 May-24 1 Jul-24 1 While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the public authority does not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find some of the information that you have requested.
Question 2 and 3 of this request would require inspections of individual prisoner records and would involve substantial compilation of records. Answering the queries would therefore require the Department to create or derive information from Prisoner's records and analyse information that it holds. The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) states that no public authority is required create or derive information, undertake research or analysis, or undertake substantial compilation or collation of information that is held. This is pursuant to s8(3) of the FOIA. Therefore, in this instance a practical refusal reason has been applied under s11(2)(b), (see also s11(3)(b)). Please quote the reference number 4059807 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.