The governor of the Island’s probation and prison is to step down from her role, it’s been revealed.

Alison Gomme took over the top job at Jurby in 2008, after a 20-year career running Erlestoke, Chelmsford, Hewell Grange and Brockhill Prisons in the UK.

Her resignation comes as the Department of Home Affairs announced it would set up an independent inquiry into the early release of a prisoner who went on to kill a 62-year-old visitor to the Island in a car crash.

However, the department says Mrs Gomme’s resignation is unrelated and she’s quitting the post next March to spend more time with her family.

Mrs Gomme, originally from Yorkshire, worked in a variety of posts in the UK before she came to the Island six years ago - including policy and project work and the prison service training college.

Last week, Donovan Kitching was jailed for more than 10 years for causing the death of Hampshire woman Gwen Valentine by dangerous driving, just three weeks after he’d been released from jail early on parole.

In the wake of the case, Ms Valentine’s family criticised prisoner risk assessments and the prison’s rehabilitation system.

However, Home Affairs Minister Juan Watterson says her retirement is unrelated to the case and the inquiry.Clip 1