prison issues to be debated at public meeting

An international expert on prison reform will this evening provide food for thought on the way the Isle of Man handles its offenders.

The Positive Action Group has invited Andrew Neilson, of the Howard League for Penal Reform, to give a talk on ways the Island could reduce its prison population and improve the chances of rehabilitation.

Spokesperson for the group Muriel Garland says the Island has quite a large prison population for its size, compared with countries like Finland where much more work has been carried out to prevent people ending up with custodial sentences (play audio file):

The meeting is at the Manx Legion Club, opposite the Market Hall in Douglas, from 7.30pm.