Prisoners went into 'black regime' five times during Covid lockdowns

But there was never an outbreak amongst inmates

Prisoners went into a 'black regime' five times during the Island's three lockdowns – but there was never an outbreak of Covid amongst inmates.

Details of how the jail coped during the pandemic have been revealed at a Tynwald committee.

At one point the facility was operating with just 10 officers after Coronavirus cases amongst staff forced workers into isolation.

Home Affairs Minister Graham Cregeen, and interim chief executive Dan Davies, revealed that left the service stretched but coping:

The Social Affairs Policy Review Committee also heard that during the first lockdown, last year, prisoners received photocopies of personal correspondence sent to them.

This was due to fears at the time that Covid-19 could be transmitted on objects.