Isle of Man prison

What we found

Care for those at risk of suicide and self-harm had improved; individuals were now well supported and those on ACCT case management received well-being self-help packs. Inappropriate use of ‘special’ unfurnished cells in the segregation unit had ceased, but authorisation for continued segregation needed to be better documented and input from health care staff more consistent.

Promising initiatives were in place to strengthen family ties, such as improved support for school-aged children with imprisoned parents, but plans to link vocational training to employment opportunities on the island still needed implementing. Work to reduce prisoners’ risk to others was good, with increased forensic psychology and excellent public protection arrangements.

Points to note: Security procedures remained disproportionate with the excessive strip-searching of prisoners. New arrivals were handcuffed in transit and monitored every 30 minutes for their first 24 hours at the prison regardless of risk, with night checks regularly waking prisoners up. New arrivals could also wait up to three days for most property, including spare clothes.