Work ongoing to transfer Jurby inmates to UK prisons 'where appropriate'

Friday, 20 February 2026 06:23

Site 'above capacity' but not 'overcrowded', say governors

The Justice and Home Affairs Minister says work is ongoing to transfer prisoners to the UK, where appropriate.

It's as the site in Jurby is currently over its original capacity, with temporary cells being used to house inmates.

The Department of Home Affairs has attributed the prison population size to increasing numbers of cases involving drugs and sexual offending.

“A big piece of work that is currently underway is feasibility and options appraisal for future accommodation, because we recognise that the profile of offending means that we are likely to continue to see serious criminals, whether around serious and organised crime or sexual offending.” – Justice and Home Affairs Minister Jane Poole Wilson

Jane Poole-Wilson says similar capacity issues at UK prisons mean transfer options are reduced:

"We are sending prisoners back on a regular basis. Not many as we'd like, but never the less we are doing that on a monthly basis" - Prison Governor Leroy Bonnick

Prison Governor Leroy Bonnick and Deputy Governor Martin Phillips say, while the prison is 'above capacity' it's not 'overcrowded':

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Work ongoing to transfer Jurby inmates to UK prisons 'where appropriate'

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Work ongoing to transfer Jurby inmates to UK prisons 'where appropriate'

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