A REPORT which questioned why a prisoner was released on parole three weeks before he caused the death of a Winchester woman by dangerous driving says the "right" decision was made at the time.

However there was a series of failings that have resulted in a raft of recommendations.

Gwen Valentine,62, from Stanmore was killed on the Tholt-y-Will Road on Isle of Man when she was knocked over by Donovan Kitching on 26 April 2014.

Kitching, who had 44 previous convictions, had served almost two-thirds of a six-year sentence for aggravated burglary and robbery when he was granted parole.

Ms Valentine from Wavell Way was weeks away from getting married and starting a new life was on the island visiting her son when the incident happened.

Kitching, 30, was sentenced to 10 years and 72 days for causing death by dangerous driving.

However there were serious questions asked about the parole system on the Isle of Man because Kitching, who had been jailed in 2011 for his part in a violent robbery, was released on parole less than a month before he drove into Ms Valentine and the court was told of his "shocking record" in custody which included assaulting another prisoner and threatening a prison officer.

Although police took no part in the parole decision, Constable Gary Roberts in evidence stated Kitching was "wired to offend".

The inquiry stated that the "right decision" was made, but the report was critical of the information which the decision was based upon which was described as "insufficient".

The inquiry heard that a probation officer recommended Kitching be freed because it was only three months to his automatic release date and there was "little to be gained" by keeping him in jail.

The report also stated that there was "total failure" in the monitoring of him after release.

Son of Ms Valentine, Stuart Valentine from the Isle of Man, wrote on Facebook: "I have had to read the words of probation and the parole committee saying there was “little to be gained” by keeping Kitching in custody any longer. Those words haunt me.

"I have had to listen with absolute incredulity to the top to bottom confusion on what his licence conditions even meant, and how that led to potential breaches not being acted on."

Mr Valentine said in-spite of what has happened there is still hope that Kitching can be a good person.

He added: "As for Donovan Kitching, he has to decide what he wants the rest of his life to look like. Will it be like the past?

He pleaded guilty, sparing us a long trial. He apologised to me from the dock. And when he asked to appear before the Inquiry, in the end he agreed not to because he listened when told how painful that would be for me.

"There is a decency in him. He knows what he has done – the good, as well as the bad. Do not give up on him.

"The way we treat those who seek to help re-integrate ex-prisoners has to change. It is a fact that ex-prisoners with no support and no job are more dangerous."

Home Affairs Minister Bill Malarkey MHK said: "On behalf of the Department I wish to express sincere condolences to Ms Valentine’s family. When such a tragedy occurs it is important to examine the circumstances and to take appropriate action to protect the public.

"The Department has fully cooperated with the inquiry and opened itself up to scrutiny with the intention of improving its procedures and maintaining public confidence in the parole system.

"We have taken on board the recommendations arising from the public inquiry. We are making positive changes in many areas and will publish annual updates on our progress.’ Head of the Prison and Probation Service, Bob McColm said:"The public inquiry was instigated by the Department in response to the terrible loss suffered by the Valentine family.

"The focus has been on moving forward and taking the opportunity to adopt a better system of parole.

"Improvements have already been introduced and when the final elements are put in place, offenders in the Isle of Man will be more robustly managed than ever before."