A legal ruling which means double murderer Peter Newbery has to serve his life sentence the Isle of Man is being welcomed as an important principle by the Department of Home Affairs.

Newbery had challenged the decision to send him to a prison in England and Wales, claiming it interfered with his human rights.

But the ruling by Deemster Doyle stated it would be impractical for him to house Newbery at Jurby and his transfer was in the best interests of both prisoner and the community.

Marian Kenny reports (text, below, from attached audio file):

The department's response to the ruling points out that facilities here cannot offer Newbery the range of rehabilitation programmes he needs, or work opportunities. Some interventions need a group setting and there are only a small number of prisoners here with similar specific needs.

The statement also confirms there are currently four lifers, sentenced in the Isle of Man, at gaols in England and Wales.

What this costs the Island isn't made clear, but the department says the Isle of Man prison service is charged a rate for each prisoner, based on the average daily costs of the prison in which they are detained.

Newbery had complained his rights to a family life would be infringed if he was taken off-Island, but the department says there is provison for accumulated visits in the Island and financially supported visits by family members to England and Wales.

All lifers are eligible to return to the Island every six months, but not all of them take up the option.

(Picture: Stock picture of a cell at Jurby, where Newbery wanted to stay).