One inmate still on hunger strike

The smoking ban was introduced in March

Five of the six inmates on hunger strike at the Isle of Man's prison have ended their protest.

The inmates were opposed to a smoking ban which has recently come into force at Victoria Prison.

One of the prisoners is continuing the hunger strike into a seventh day, acting prison governor Colin Ring said.

The five other inmates voluntarily ended their protest on Tuesday night. It was prompted by a total ban on smoking inside and outside the prison.

It was enforced across the prison's grounds because the DHA said allowing smoking just in the external yards would be difficult to police.

It said inmates would have to be issued with tobacco going out, then searched on their return to prevent tobacco being smuggled inside.

A government spokesman said all those involved in the protest would continue to be monitored by the prison's healthcare team.

Victoria Prison is due to close next month and inmates will be moved to a new purpose-built £41m prison in Jurby.