asked the Minister for Justice (a) the number of prisoners given daily conditional release in each of the prisons in 1977 (b) the average number of persons on such release on any given day in each prison (c) the average length of release for each prisoner so privileged, and (d) the main purposes for which such release was granted.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Prisoners Temporary Release.
10.
The total number of persons granted daily temporary release during 1977 from each of the institutions and the number on such release on the first day of March, June, September and December are in the form of a tabular statement, which with the permission of the Cheann Comhairle, will be circulated with the Official Report. The length of the period of daily temporary release varies. It seldom exceeds three months and the usual period is about a month. Daily temporary release is almost always for the purpose of permitting the person concerned to take up a job.
I should like to point out that other forms of temporary release are also allowed. Thus in 1977, 516 persons were allowed full temporary release, which means that they were released some time before their sentences expired under the supervision of the welfare service, subject to their being liable to be recalled for misbehaviour. In addition, 163 persons were allowed to spend Christmas at home and persons were released for weekends and other short periods on over 1,600 occasions.
Following is the statement:
Daily temporary release from custody.
|
Total released in year 1977 |
Number on daily temporary release on |
||||
|
1/3/77 |
1/6/77 |
1/9/77 |
1/12/77 |
||
|
Mountjoy |
10 |
— |
2 |
1 |
3 |
|
Limerick |
12 |
— |
— |
3 |
— |
|
Cork |
17 |
2 |
4 |
5 |
3 |
|
Arbour Hill |
10 |
— |
1 |
1 |
3 |
|
Portlaoise |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
|
Training Unit |
36 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
12 |
|
Shelton Abbey |
22 |
— |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
St. Patrick's |
5 |
— |
— |
— |
2 |
|
Shanganagh Castle |
7 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
|
Loughan House |
8 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
|
Totals |
127 |
8 |
13 |
17 |
27 |