Prison

Summary

A request for information regarding the Isle of Man Prison's design capacity, current population, and the use of Porto cabin cells was partially fulfilled. The Department of Home Affairs provided specific statistics on capacity and population but exempted details on cabin facilities, directing the requester to public inspection reports instead.

Key Facts

• The prison's total capacity is 141, including two special accommodation cells.
• General living accommodation capacity is 139.
• There are 26 Porto cabin cells currently in use.
• The current prison population is 159.
• Information regarding facilities in Porto cabin cells was not provided directly but referenced via external links.

Data Disclosed

• 141
• 139
• 26
• 159
• 2025-03-11
• 2025-04-07
• 2024
• 2023
• 4498990

Exemptions Cited

• Section 11(3) - Information not held
• Section 20 - Information accessible by other means

Original Request

How many prisoners was the prison designed to house when first built How many Porto cabin prison cells are now being used Do the prisoners using these Porto cabin cells enjoy the same facilities as used by other prisoners What is the current prison population

Data Tables (1)

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: 4498990 07 April 2025

Dear ###

We write further to your request, received 11 March 2025, which states:

"(1) How many prisoners was the prison designed to house when first built

(2) How many Porto cabin prison cells are now being used

(3) Do the prisoners using these Porto cabin cells enjoy the same facilities as used by other prisoners

(4) What is the current prison population"

Our response to your request is as follows: I have detailed below the information While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance some of the information you have requested is not held, as such, a practical refusal reason under Section 11(3) has been applied to your request.
In applying this information, the Department of Home Affairs (the “Department”) has a duty to provide you with advice and assistance in responding to your request.
(1) How many prisoners was the prison designed to house when first built

The total capacity of the Prison is 141, this includes two special accommodation cells. General living accommodation capacity for the Prison is 139.

(2) How many Porto cabin prison cells are now being used

There are 26 cabins in addition to the general living accommodation of the Prison, all of these cabins are being utilised.

(4) What is the current prison population

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance and in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (the “Act”), some of the information you have requested is exempt under Section 20 (information accessible by other means) (3) Do the prisoners using these Porto cabin cells enjoy the same facilities as used by other prisoners
Further to your enquiry about Porto cabin cells enjoying the same facilities as used by other prisoners, the information that you have requested for question 3 is available via an Isle of Man Today Article: Link. I have also provided a link to the Isle of man prisons inspection reports from 2024 and 2023.

Isle of Man Prison Inspection report 2024 Link

Isle of Man Prison Inspection report 2023 Link

Please quote the reference number 4498990 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.