The Ministry of Justice has confirmed that Guernsey is currently able to transfer a maximum of one person per month, and there has only been one transfer so far this year.
Last year eight prisoners left Les Nicolles to move to UK prisons.
‘The allocation is subject to change, so while fluctuation is possible, significant delays are not expected,’ said a spokesperson.
‘Actual wait times depend on individual circumstances, including how quickly the required transfer documentation is completed in Guernsey and how promptly the cross-border transfers processes and accepts the case.’
To be transferred to the UK prison estate, the prisoner must not be able to resettle in Guernsey, for example, having no meaningful ties to the island, or if their offending places them in breach of the Guernsey Population Management law, meaning they cannot hold a valid residency permit.
The prisoner is reviewed by the Transfer Board (Offender Management Unit) and Security are advised if the prisoner is approved for transfer.
A transfer cannot take place if the individual is within six months of their next or confirmed release date.
No prisoners have been transferred from UK prisons to Les Nicolles in the past five years.
Date | No. of prisoners transferred |
|---|---|
2026 | 1 |
2025 | 8 |
2024 | 2 |
2023 | 7 |
2022 | 3 |
2021 | 4 |