Should the prison be run by an executive agency?

Consideration should be given to creating an executive agency to run the Isle of Man Prison.

That's according to a new report into the scope of the Isle of Man Government.

A committee, which first examined public sector services in 2006, was asked to take a fresh look at what the government is doing and how it could be done cheaper and more efficiently.

The prison wasn't considered in the first report, but the committee thinks it should be looked at now as it costs the tax payer £7.5m a year to run.

An executive agency is part of government but with separate management and budget, which isn't under the control of a Minister.

The committee believes in future consideration should also be given to contracting out the management of the jail.

The report also suggests corporatising or privatising the buses and contracting out or corporatising the airport, Post Office and the Villa Marina and Gaiety Theatre.

Chief Minister Allan Bell says the contents of the report have been made public to stimulate debate and it will be a while before any possible changes come about.[play media file below]

 

Chief Minister Allan Bell

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