asked the Minister for Justice if he will give details of the number, nature and extent of orders made for the temporary release of persons serving prison sentences over the last 12 months.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Release of Prisoners.
50.
Mr. Barrett
During the 12 months ended 30th April, 1965, the number of persons under sentence in the prisons to whom temporary release was granted was 71 and the corresponding number in St. Patricks was 45, making a total of 116.
In 38 cases temporary release for Christmas was granted for the period from 23rd December, 1964 to 1st January, 1965; in six cases periods of temporary release, up to a maximum of four days, were granted on account of death or grave illness of a member of the family; in five cases, where the periods ranged from one day to 15 days, release was granted because of serious domestic difficulties and in one case a female prisoner was allowed two periods of temporary release totalling two months in connection with her confinement and the care of her baby.
In the remaining 66 cases, the temporary release granted related to temporary absences for interviews with prospective employers and to actual employment, mainly on a day-to-day release basis, that is, sleeping-in and working out.