Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prisoners currently participating in the community return programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39343/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Community Return is a recently introduced initiative whereby carefully selected prisoners can be granted reviewable temporary release coupled with a requirement to do community service work such as painting, gardening or graffiti removal in a supervised group setting. The type of work involved is intended to assist the community and the scheme is involved with a large number of charitable organisations and local community groups.

The scheme, which was introduced on a pilot basis last October, is applicable to suitably assessed prisoners who are serving sentences of more than one and less than eight years. Those participating are granted renewable temporary release having served at, or after, the 50% stage of their sentence with a condition of their release to undertake supervised community service.

The following factors are taken into account in considering the suitability of a prisoner for temporary release to participate in the scheme: the nature and gravity of the offence to which the sentence being served by the person relates; the sentence concerned and any recommendation made by the Court in relation to the sentence imposed; the potential threat to the safety and security of the public should the person be released; the person's previous criminal record; the risk that the person might commit an offence during any period of temporary release; the risk of the person failing to comply with any of the conditions of temporary release; the extent of the prisoner's engagement with therapeutic services while in custody and the likelihood of period of temporary release enhancing his/her reintegration prospects; and conduct while in custody.

There have to date been 259 participants on the scheme with 82 offenders currently engaged in community service work. Over 140 offenders have already completed the programme successfully with a small percentage of prisoners returned to custody for non-compliance. The reports to date from the Community Site Supervisors have been very positive and many of the participants have been commended for their work ethic, punctuality and commitment. Initial feedback from the participants has also been positive with many commenting on the supports and structure that it gives them on their release and how it has assisted in their transition back into the community.

The Community Return Programme is but one element of the recently published Prison Service strategy which provides for a structured form of release leading to improved resettlement and reintegration opportunities for prisoners along with providing for work to the benefit of communities.