Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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167. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the terms of reference have been drafted for the proposed external review of the policies processes and procedures in operation for the calculation of prisoner sentences; and if she has identified a suitable person to conduct this independent review. [26919/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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In December 2020, information came to light that a prisoner was released early because of a miscalculation of his release date. When it became clear that the release date had been miscalculated, the prisoner in question was returned to custody and I directed the Irish Prison Service to report on the incident and review its practices.

This review, which involved an examination of all sentence calculation generally and an examination of credit for time served, have now been completed and the Prison Service has submitted their final report to my office. The outcome of these reviews was that a small percentage of the almost 4,000 sentences examined resulted in prisoner release dates needing to be put back, or brought forward, as the case might be.  A total of 29 prisoners had their release date brought forward with 102 requiring their release date to be put back. Six prisoners were required to be released immediately.

The Report makes a number of recommendations to prevent such errors reoccurring again and these are being actioned, including a recommendation to undertake an external review. 

An external review of the issues has been commissioned, the Terms of Reference for which have been developed and, subject to any changes, and the appointment of a suitable person to conduct the independent review, the examination will commence shortly.