The Celtic League have asked the Isle of Man Chief Minister to clarify the apparent secrecy that surrounds the working of the parole system on the Island.
The League had previously asked the Isle of Man Department of Home Affairs for details but they have not responded.
Astonishingly the League believe applicants for parole are not interviewed by the parole panel, the identities of whom are apparently confidential. In addition there seems to be no publicly available record of the Parole Boards work.
The letter to the Chief Minister which includes the earlier correspondence to the DHA is set out below:
«Mr Tony Brown MHK Chief Minister Isle of Man Government Chief Ministers Suite Government Buildings Douglas Isle of Man
Dear Chief Minister
Ref - Isle of Man Parole Board.
I set out below a query to the Department of Home Affairs last year asking for details of the Isle of Man Parole Boards.
For some reason the DHA seem unable (or unwilling) to reply. Can you clarify why their is this unwillingness to comment and give details on the composition and workings of the Parole system. I understand that in adjacent jurisdictions there is more openness
The correspondence to the DHA is set out below:
[The Chief Executive Mr Will Greenhow Department of Home Affairs Holmfield Douglas Isle of Man
Ref: Isle of Man Parole Board
Dear Mr Greenhow,
Can you advise who the current members of the Isle of Man Parole Board are?
Could you also indicate when they were appointed and for how long they hold office?
Is the Parole Board required to produce an annual report for the Department and if so is this document published annually?
Does the Parole Board operate using fixed criteria?
Has the procedure used by those eligible for Parole to seek a hearing been changed recently - or are any changes planned?
Is the Board required to provide applicants with written and detailed reasons for its decisions?
Finally, are applicants for Parole granted a full representative hearing before the Board when their case is considered?»
See also related Celtic News article at:
J B Moffatt Director of Information - Celtic League
20/10/07]
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