Written answers

Tuesday, 8 July 2014

Department of Justice and Equality

Prison Committals

Photo of Éamon Ó CuívÉamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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643. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of life sentenced prisoners released and the number of life sentenced prisoners recalled to prison in 2013; the average length of time served by these prisoners in prison prior to their release in 2013; the number of recalls to prison involving the revocation of temporary release that related to the following categories, failure to keep the peace, failure to be of good behaviour, failure to be of sober habits, charged with an additional offence and other reason; the charges preferred by category for those charged with an additional offence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29534/14]

Photo of Frances FitzgeraldFrances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I can inform the Deputy that there was only one recall of a life sentenced prisoner in 2013 due to breach of conditions of temporary release. This prisoner had their temporary release revoked and is still in custody. In addition, one other prisoner was returned to custody in 2013 having been unlawfully at large for a period of time. This prisoner also remains in custody at this time.

I can advise the Deputy that life sentenced prisoners who are released into the community continue to serve their sentences, subject to a number of stringent conditions. While in the community, a life sentenced prisoner will be on reviewable temporary release under the supervision of the Probation Service. Reviewable temporary release is where a prisoner is granted a specific period of temporary release from prison. This can be at varying intervals, for example, weekly, monthly or annually. The period of release is reviewed when the prisoner returns to prison and a decision is made whether to refuse or grant a further period of Reviewable Temporary Release.

The Probation Service provide progress reports to the Irish Prison Service outlining resettlement and reintegration progress and will report on any risk management concerns a Life Sentenced prisoner may present. Where it is reported to the Irish Prison Service that the prisoner in the community is failing to abide by the conditions of their release, that person may be refused a further period of temporary release and be taken back into custody. An Garda Síochána may return a prisoner to prison where they are of the view that the prisoner is in breach of their temporary release conditions. When this happens, the Governor will conduct an oral hearing into the allegation. If the Governor is satisfied, taking into account evidence presented and comments made, that a breach of temporary release conditions has occurred the prisoner should be notified accordingly. The reviewable temporary release is then revoked and the prisoner is taken back into custody.

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