Written answers

Thursday, 28 January 2016

Department of Justice and Equality

Prisoner Data

Photo of Éamon Ó CuívÉamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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187. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of life-sentence prisoners released and the number recalled to prison in 2015; the average length of time, life-sentence prisoners served prior to release in 2015; the reason for revoking temporary release, by case; the number of life-sentence prisoners in custody and the number on release in the community at the end of 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3573/16]

Photo of Frances FitzgeraldFrances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I can inform the Deputy that a total of 6 life sentenced prisoners were released into the community in 2015. The average length of sentence served in custody by these six prisoners prior to release was approximately 17 and a half years. No life sentenced prisoner was recalled to prison in 2015.

Life sentenced prisoners who are released into the community continue to serve their sentences and are 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 reports 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. 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.

On 31 December 2015 there were 331 prisoners in custody serving life sentences. There were a further 80 prisoners serving life sentences in the community on reviewable temporary release under the supervision of the Probation Service.

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