The island’s prison is not going to feature in a reality TV series contrary to a report in a UK tabloid.

A story in The Sun has suggested that film crews had been in Jurby prison to record a ’Big Brother’-style TV series.

However, a government spokesman has said while filming has taken place, it is for a documentary exploring the prison’s innovative work in preventing re-offending.

The Sun reported an ’ITV insider’ as saying: ’After Big Brother and Love Island there aren’t many new avenues to take this sort of warts-and-all format.

’It will be filmed in a similar way to those shows, with producers focusing on a group of central characters and the drama that is their daily life behind bars.

’Like all reality shows, viewers will really get to know the stars who all have their own story and nothing will be glossed over.

’They wouldn’t be out of place in a TV soap.’

The paper described the prison as a ’high security jail’ housing more than 100 inmates and promises to ’follow the love lives and clashes of inmates locked up on the Isle of Man’

However, a government spokesman said they are disappointed at how the show has been portrayed in the UK press.

She added: ’We are surprised and very disappointed in how this has been reported.

’This is a serious documentary looking at the work of the Isle of Man Prison and probation service.

’Officers worked with the documentary team between June and September 2018, exploring the innovative work that the prison does in preventing re-offending.

’To portray it in this manner shows a complete lack of respect to victims and those who contributed to the making of the documentary.

’All prisoners are completely segregated and there are no opportunities for male and female prisoners to mix.’

The show, to be screened in six parts, is titled ’Island Prison’.

It is due to be shown next year on ITV.