The Department of Home Affairs has produced two short video presentations to explain the parole system and temporary release process, which apply to some prisoners.
Parole
Parole is the conditional release of a prisoner from prison to serve the rest of their sentence in the community under supervision.
The Isle of Man Parole Committee is a statutory body responsible for advising the Department of Home Affairs on the release and recall of long-term prisoners on parole. It plays a key role in balancing public safety with rehabilitation.
The Committee consists of up to nine lay members who are appointed for three-year terms.
Statute governs when prisoners are released, based on their sentence, and when they are eligible to apply for parole. Parole Committee members take many things into account when they make their recommendations for the early release of some prisoners on parole.
Those sentenced for more than four years in prison are eligible for parole at the halfway point. It is a privilege for which they can apply and there are rigorous checks first.
If they don’t apply for parole at that point, they are released at the two-thirds point, with licence conditions.
For those sentenced to less than 12 months, there is automatic release at the halfway point, with no licence conditions.
Prisoners whose sentences are between 12 months and four years are automatically released at the halfway point, with licence conditions.
Victims will be notified and support is available.
The Parole Committee considers the following factors:
- The risk to the public that early release would present
- The risk of further offending
- If early release would contribute to rehabilitation and reintegration into the community and
- What conditions could be attached to a licence to assist with reintegration of the offender into the community and reduce risks identified upon early release
Individuals released on parole are subject to licence conditions, which are supervised by the Isle of Man Prison and Probation Service.
These may include curfews, travel restrictions, employment requirements, drug and alcohol testing, contact restrictions and electronic tagging.
Any breach may result in prisoners being returned to custody, after which they may apply for re-release.
When a detainee is due to be released or when the detainee makes an application for Parole, the Victim Liaison Officer (VLO) will work with any victims or their family if they wish to do so. The VLO will be able to share information about the process of release and parole and may also discuss potential licence conditions, such as being prohibited from contacting individuals, or being excluded from specific areas. The VLO can also support the provision of victim impact statements, which are provided to the Parole Committee.
Temporary release
Manx law allows some convicted offenders to be released temporarily from prison. However, it is not an automatic right and it is granted under specific conditions. For example, the prisoners may be electronically monitored or have prison officers accompany them.
Only individuals who meet certain criteria are released this way. Victims will be notified and support is available.
If the individual is allowed to spend time in the community, they are subject to strict licence conditions.
These are similar to those in parole cases and may include curfews, travel restrictions, employment requirements, drug and alcohol testing, contact restrictions and electronic tagging.
Some prisoners may be released on a temporary licence for a finite period of time and return to prison at the end of the approved period.
If an individual fails to comply with licence conditions, they can be recalled to prison.
A prisoner might be granted temporary release to help them reintegrate into society or on compassionate grounds, for example to attend a funeral.
Temporary release can also help to alleviate prison overcrowding. To be eligible for temporary release in these circumstances, the prisoner must be serving a sentence of under four years and must not be serving a sentence for a sexual or violent offence. In addition those sentenced for domestic abuse or harassment offences would not be considered.
Like prisons all over the UK, the Isle of Man’s prison has limited capacity and, on occasion, has been close to its maximum.
The reasons for the population in the prison being high compared to previous years include successful police investigations into organised crime, which have resulted in a number of convictions, and the introduction and enforcement of new, modernised legislation with additional offences included, for example sexual offences and domestic abuse.
The Prison and Probation Service assesses whether individual prisoners are eligible for temporary release. For some releases, approval is also needed from the Department of Home Affairs and in some situations the judiciary may need to agree.
Minister for Justice and Home Affairs Jane Poole-Wilson MHK said:
‘The videos have been prepared to help to explain temporary release and the parole system and to perhaps allay some misunderstandings.
‘Parole and temporary release are very important tools in the rehabilitation process and it is important to recognise their value while balancing against public safety.’
Useful links:
- More details on parole: Isle of Man Government - Release of life/long term detainee prisoners
- Licence conditions (applicable to early or temporary release on case by case basis)
- Parole Committee page with files referenced at Wednesday’s media briefing Isle of Man Government - Parole Committee
- Victim Support website Victim Support Isle of Man
