Isle of Man Prison Team Based Self Rostering Scheme (TBSR) survey

Summary

The requester sought the survey questions, answers, and the identity of the surveyor regarding the Isle of Man Prison's Team Based Self Rostering (TBSR) scheme to verify claims made by the Governor. The Department of Home Affairs disclosed all requested information, revealing that while staff liked TBSR, they felt it was not working due to staffing shortages, and confirmed the survey was conducted by an independent external officer.

Key Facts

• The survey was conducted by an independent External Investigating Officer, Mrs Ann Reynolds, who had no affiliation with the prison or Department of Home Affairs.
• 22 staff members responded to the survey, with 20 stating they liked TBSR and 0 stating they did not.
• Despite liking the scheme, 19 of the 22 respondents indicated that TBSR was not working.
• The primary reasons cited for TBSR not working were insufficient staff, high sick leave rates, and vacancies.
• The full survey report was restricted to the Governor's eyes only to ensure frank input, though results were to be shared with staff.

Data Disclosed

• 22 staff answered the survey
• 20 staff liked TBSR
• 0 staff did not like TBSR
• 2 staff responded 'Sort of'
• 19 staff said TBSR was not working
• 3 staff found it difficult to answer if TBSR was working
• 43 staff were interviewed in the wider fact-finding exercise
• 136 total staff pool
• 31.6% interview rate
• December 2024 to February 2025
• 23 December 2025
• 29 January 2026

Original Request

The prison governor to the Isle of Man Prison Leroy J. Bonnick recently held a staff meeting in the multi-faith room in order to update prison staff on any update on the current TBSR which was being looked into. In the meeting Leroy J. Bonnick claimed that 21 current members of staff had participated in a survey and part of that survey was concerned with TBSR and what their thoughts on it were. He said that these members of staff had given negative feed back on the current TBSR and that it wasn't suited to them. I find this difficult to believe as the TBSR is a voluntary work pattern and a fixed detail is also available. Leroy J. Bonnick then used this feedback from the survey to get rid of the TBSR and introduce and new work schedule that no member of staff had any input on. I have spoken to some of the staff that took part in the survey and none of them have any recollection of wanting this system scrapped, instead they wish to continue to use it. I would like to request the survey if only the part regarding TBSR so that I am able to see what questions were actually asked and what answers were given. I would also like to know who carried out this survey to see if they have any working relationship with the prison management and if it was a neutral and fair survey.

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: 5192905 29 January 2026

Dear ###

We write further to your request, received 23 December 2025, which states:

"The prison governor to the Isle of Man Prison Leroy J. Bonnick recently held a staff meeting in the multi-faith room in order to update prison staff on any update on the current TBSR which was being looked into. In the meeting Leroy J. Bonnick claimed that 21 current members of staff had participated in a survey and part of that survey was concerned with TBSR and what their thoughts on it were. He said that these members of staff had given negative feed back on the current TBSR and that it wasn't suited to them. I find this difficult to believe as the TBSR is a voluntary work pattern and a fixed detail is also available.

Leroy J. Bonnick then used this feedback from the survey to get rid of the TBSR and introduce and new work schedule that no member of staff had any input on. I have spoken to some of the staff that took part in the survey and none of them have any recollection of wanting this system scrapped, instead they wish to continue to use it.

I would like to request the survey if only the part regarding TBSR so that I am able to see what questions were actually asked and what answers were given. I would also like to know who carried out this survey to see if they have any working relationship with the prison management and if it was a neutral and fair survey."

Our response to your request is as follows:

We have Broken your request into the following 3 sections in order for us to answer your questions in the best way possible: Survey Questions, Survey Answers and who carried out the survey.

1. Survey Questions (TBSR) The questions to staff were: • A) Do you like TBSR? (Yes/No) • B) Is TBSR working? (Yes/No). If not, why not? • C) Is it better to centralise the detail? (i.e. one or two people manage the detail or, as now, leave it with each group of staff to manage the detail).

2. Survey Answers (Staff Feedback) Preamble: Of the 22 staff who answered this question, they were either working a version of TBSR now or had worked TBSR in the last 2 to 3 years (but had recently changed department). Do you like TBSR? • Like: 20 • Not like:0 • “Sort of”: 2 • Total: 22 Is TBSR working? If not, why not? • 19 of the 22 staff who answered said it was not working. • The other 3 said it was difficult to answer. Main reasons given: • Insufficient staff employed and available to make it work. • Too many staff on sick leave, vacancies, or acting up to be Senior Officer roles without backfill. Other comments: • If there was no TBSR, a fixed pattern would not work. • Some newer staff don’t really know how TBSR works. • A small handful of staff are “greedy” and not working with a team ethic. • Recently there had been a shift, staff enthusiasm was back.

3.Who Carried Out the Survey?

• The person who created and asked the questions was External Investigating Officer (IO) Mrs Ann Reynolds • The Department confirmed that Mrs Reynolds had no affiliation to the IOM Prison or the Department of Home Affairs. “The Governor had no input into the questions asked to the staff."

A wholly independent Fact-finding Exercise took place at IOM Prison between December 2024 and the end of February 2025, whereby 43 staff (management/non- management) were interviewed from a pool of 136 (31.6%)

In order to obtain frank input and insight from the staff, the resultant report was for the eyes of the IOMP Governor only, no other IOMP staff member, with the following caveats: 1. The results of the Exercise would be ultimately shared with the IOMP staff (though not the report itself) 2. Should the Governor need to use part of the report (for example, as part of a business case to purchase previously unforeseen specialist training or equipment, etc) then the specific relevant information from the Report could be made available to the DHA Chief Operating Officer

For the purposes of this Freedom of Information request, to show openness and transparency, the IOMP Governor has agreed to produce the insert of the report (on the same basis as point 2 above) regarding Team Based Self Rostering (TBSR). The insert from the report on TBSR is as follows:

Team Based Self Rostering (TBSR) “The aim of the IO(Investigating officer): TBSR started at the Prison when the new facility was opened in Jurby, having left Victoria Road. The Investigating Officer (IO) has previously been the Director of Ports for IOM Government, accountable for the Airport, the Harbours and the Coastguard, had also worked with TBSR, so with knowledge of how the system should work, the IO was keen to see whether the staff at IOMP were making a success of TBSR”

As further advice and guidance the Governor has stated "The report was a 'one way' report to the IOMP Governor, in that the Governor did not participate in this Exercise, the aim was for the staff to give the Governor some frank feedback."

Please quote the reference number 5192905 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.