Isle of Man/Mannin - Parole system secrecy questioned

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:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/2336

J B Moffatt
Director of Information - Celtic League

20/10/07]


Trusting that you Office may be able to respond to the questions that
Department of Home Affairs seem unable to respond to"


See also related Celtic News article at:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/2527
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/2336
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/2355

J B Moffatt
Director of Information
Celtic League

24/05/08


The Celtic League has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It works
to promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on a
broad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlights
human rights abuse, monitors all military activity and focuses on
socio-economic issues.

TEL (UK)01624 877918 MOBILE (UK)07624 491609

Internet site at:

http://celticleague.net
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/