asked the Minister for Justice the average number of prisoners who qualify for parole; the purpose it serves; the basis on which the privilege is extended to prisoners; and the disciplines they must observe while on parole.
Written Answers. - Prisoners' Parole.
72.
I presume that by "parole" the Deputy means "temporary release" as provided for in the Criminal Justice Act, 1960.
Prisoners are allowed temporary release in a variety of circumstances. Thus, temporary releases have been allowed for such occasions as weddings, illnesses of near relatives and bereavements, Christenings and First Communions of children, to enable the offender to sit for examinations, to be interviewed for employment or to attend to urgent business. The system is used most frequently, however, to enable offenders to take up employment, to help with the resocialisation programmes for long-term offenders and to permit offenders to be with their families at Christmas.
Daily release to employment is frequently allowed for an offender towards the end of his sentence. There must be reasonable grounds for expecting that the offender will be well conducted and the availability of suitable employment is an important factor. Full temporary release whereby the offender lives outside the prison at home, in a hostel or in lodgings is a further phase to which a prisoner on day-to-day release for employment may progress.
The general conditions which apply to offenders who are allowed temporary release are prescribed in the various statutory instruments listed hereunder. The offender is also subject to supervision by a welfare officer and to such additional conditions as may be appropriate in each individual case.
The statement herewith gives details of temporary releases under various headings for the years 1973-1975.
List of Statutory Instruments.
Prisoners (Temporary Release) Rules, 1960.
(S.I. No. 167 of 1960.)
Temporary Release of Offenders (Shanganagh Castle) Rules, 1970.
(S.I. No. 312 of 1970.)
Temporary Release of Offenders (Loughan House) Rules, 1973.
(S.I. No. 59 of 1973.)
Temporary Release of Offenders (Training Unit) Rules, 1975.
(S.I. No. 250 of 1975.)
Details of Temporary Releases
|
1973 |
1974 |
1975 |
|
|
Daily temporary release to employment |
320 |
145 |
162 |
|
Full temporary release to employment |
149 |
255 |
305 |
|
Wedding |
12 |
15 |
13 |
|
Wife having baby |
18 |
3 |
8 |
|
Christening |
2 |
— |
1 |
|
First Communion |
1 |
— |
12 |
|
Examination |
— |
— |
5 |
|
Interview for Employment |
12 |
16 |
61 |
|
Illness in family |
24 |
10 |
32 |
|
Bereavement |
15 |
10 |
15 |
|
Christmas furlough |
102 |
111 |
115 |
|
Resocialisation |
76 |
33 |
76 |