VISITS to prisoners on the Isle of Wight have been cancelled — in light of the latest government advice.

In a statement released on its website, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) announced all prisons in England and Wales are closed to visitors from today, March 24, to 'ensure the safe and secure functioning of our prisons', while enforcing social distancing.

This includes the two Island jails which form HMP Isle of Wight.

The MoJ is urging people who have booked to visit to not attend and stay home.

Visitors can still write a letter, email via the prisoner service or leave a voicemail.

Plans have been in place to prioritise the safety of staff and prisoners but with as little disruption as possible to normal prison regimes.

Rumours have yet to be confirmed HMP Isle of Wight has gone into lockdown.

Four cases of coronavirus have been confirmed at prisons Birmingham, Manchester, Oakwood and High Down.