The Celtic League has once again alerted the Council of Europe (CoE) prisons 'watchdog', the CPT, to breaches of International Human Rights standards on the treatment of offenders on the Isle of Man.
The League point out that Adult and Young Offenders are being housed in the same wing which is in contravention of the Council of Europe standards and UN guidelines.
The Isle of Mans sole prison facility has been condemned and is due to be replaced by a new multi-million pond facility this year, however in the meantime problems or overcrowding remain
The correspondence to the CoE is set out below:
"By E-mail : For the Attention:
The Secretary
European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading
Treatment or Punishment (CPT)
Human Rights Building
Council of Europe
F-67075 Strasbourg Cedex
France
10/01/08
Dear Sir,
I refer to our ongoing concerns reported to the Committee periodically about the penal system in the Isle of Man.
The Celtic League would draw your attention once again to the unsatisfactory situation at the Isle of Man prison in that presently up to 11 Adult offenders are housed in the section of the prison set aside for young offenders (17-21 year olds).
This does, in our view, contravene Council of Europe (CPT) rules - "The CPT Standards" and also UN Human Rights standards - "The Beijing Rules".
We would be grateful if the Committee would raise the issue with the Isle of Man authorities and given that this complaint relates to the treatment of young offenders that such representations are expeditiously pursued.
J B Moffatt"
Related articles on Celtic News at:
Also related article in older Celtic News site archive at:
J B Moffatt
Director of Information
Celtic League
10/01/08
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