It has been claimed it was just not practical to use prison work parties during the recent freeze and snowfall.
Suggestions that they might be used to help the communities cut off by the snow would have been fraught with difficulties, according to the Home Affairs Minister.
Juan Watterson says it would have been necessary to assess each prisoner individually as to whether they would try and take advantage of the situation by, for instance, bringing drugs back into the prison

Researching your Manx family history can be a very interesting and rewarding hobby. Trace your roots in the Isle of Man with our helpful of guide.