The government is to carry out a review of the Island's penal system.

After breaking off from the process during the Child Care Inquiry, the Department of Home Affairs is again approaching those who initially expressed an interest in conducting the exercise.

Revised terms of reference are being used for the study, into punishments handed down by the Island's courts.

Edward Oldham reports (text, below, from attached audio file):

Onchan MHK Peter Karran's request for information has shown that, after the initial moves, 'a number of expressions of interest were received.'

After the delay, to put into place the formal structures recommended by the Care Inquiry, the process has now started again.

It's intended this review will be in five stages, with individual reports at each stage and then a final report with recomendations.

The revised proposals will go out to interested parties in the next few days, with an assessment of submissions expected before Christmas and the contract due to start in January.

(Picture: The statue in the foyer at Douglas courthouse, based on a line in the oath of the deemsters).