Ministry of Justice

The complainant requested supporting documentation related to three specified prison models, following publication of a bulletin detailing prison population projections for England and Wales 2023 to 2028. The Ministry of Justice (the ‘MOJ’) initially relied on a number of FOIA exemptions to refuse the request. However, during the course of the Commissioner’s investigation, the MOJ revised its position and said it was no longer relying on any of the previously cited exemptions. It provided the information held in full, namely a document “CJS [Criminal Justice System] Demand Modelling Documentation”. The MOJ subsequently provided further information outside the scope of FOIA by way of advice and assistance. The complainant remained dissatisfied. The Commissioner’s decision is that, on the balance of probabilities, the MOJ does not hold any further requested information than has already been provided to the complainant. No steps are required as a result of this notice.