Written answers

Tuesday, 9 February 2010

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Prisoner Releases

9:00 pm

Photo of Brian O'SheaBrian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 344: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of prisoners sentenced to eight months imprisonment or under, that have been released on licence since 1 January 2009 and to date in 2010; the length of the sentence that has been served in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6391/10]

Photo of Dermot AhernDermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that the gathering of all the detailed information requested would require a disproportionate and inordinate amount of staff time and effort and could not be justified in current circumstances where there are other significant demands on resources. I have been advised that on 5th February 2010 there were 613 prisoners in total serving sentences of definite duration on temporary release. The numbers of such prisoners on temporary release fluctuates on a daily basis and to date in the year 2010, the numbers have fluctuated between slightly above 500 to slightly above 600.

The Criminal Justice Act, 1960 as amended by the Criminal Justice (Temporary Release of Prisoners) Act 2003 sets out the framework for the temporary release of prisoners. Prisoners may be granted temporary release to assess a person's ability to reintegrate into society, to prepare him or her for release, to assist the Gardaí, on grounds of health, on other humanitarian grounds, to ensure the good government of prison and to maintain good order and humane and just management of the prisons. All prisoners on temporary release are subject to conditions and are returned to prison if their behaviour gives rise to concern. Public safety is the paramount consideration in any decision on granting temporary release.

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