Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 92: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of prisoners on temporary release at the latest date in 2009 for which figures are available; the highest number of temporary release on any date during 2009; the average number of prisoners on temporary release during 2009; the steps he is taking to deal with this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40135/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that on 6 November 2009 there were 644 prisoners on temporary release. This represented 14% of the overall prisoner population for that day.

In contrast, the equivalent percentage of prisoners on temporary release for the years 1994 to 1997 was as follows: 1994 - (22.2%), 1995 - (20.2%), 1996 - (17.9%) and 1997 - (19.2%).

The highest number of prisoners on temporary release on any one date in 2009 was 686 on 24 June 2009. This represented 15% of the overall population on that date. The daily average figure to date in 2009 for prisoners on temporary release is 510 and this represents 12% of the daily population figure.

The Criminal Justice Act 1960, as amended by the Criminal Justice (Temporary Release of Prisoners) Act 2003, provides that the Minister may approve the temporary release of a sentenced prisoner. This discretionary instrument assists in gradually preparing suitable offenders for release and in administering short sentences, and is an incentive to well-behaved prisoners.

Temporary release arrangements operate similarly to a system of parole, which is a feature of prison systems worldwide. They are an important vehicle for re-integrating an offender into the community in a planned way. The generally accepted view is that the risk to the community is reduced by planned re-integration of offenders compared with their return to the community on the completion of their full sentence. Each case is examined on its own merits and the safety of the public is paramount when decisions are made. In addition, all releases are subject to conditions, which in the vast majority of cases include a requirement to report on a regular basis to the offender's Garda Station. Of course, any offender who breaches his or her conditions may be arrested and returned to prison immediately by the Gardaí.

As the Deputy will appreciate the Irish Prison Service must accept all prisoners committed by the Courts into its custody and do not have the option of refusing committals. It is the case that there has been a consistent increase in the total prisoner population over recent years. This situation is particularly apparent over the past 12 months during which time the total number in custody has increased by 330. This represents an 9 % rise in the number in custody.

Since 1997, the Irish Prison Service has been engaged in an extensive programme of investment in prisons infrastructure which has involved both the modernisation of the existing estate and the provision of extra prison spaces. A new accommodation block for 123 prisoners recently opened at Castlerea Prison. Furthermore, current projects will also provide the potential for an additional 750 prison spaces during 2009 and 2010 by means of:

a new block in Portlaoise Prison which will have the potential to accommodate approximately 200 prisoners and has started to accommodate prisoners;

a new block in Wheatfield Prison which will also have the potential to accommodate approximately 200 prisoners due to open by end of 2009;

opening the separation unit in Mountjoy Prison which will have the potential to accommodate 50 prisoners due to open by end of this month;

a new wing at the Portlaoise/Midlands complex which will have the potential to accommodate 300 prisoners. Work is due to commence in 2010.