asked the Minister for Justice the number of prisoners serving life sentences now; the date on which each was sentenced; the average length of sentence served; and the criteria and procedures whereby life sentences may be terminated.
Written Answers. - Serving of Life Sentences.
(1) There are 35 persons in custody serving life sentences. The information sought about them is as follows:
Date Sentenced |
Length of time served |
|
20 July 1964 |
14 years |
4 months |
9 November 1964 |
14 years |
|
2 May 1968 |
10 years |
6 months |
19 February 1971 |
7 years |
9 months |
1 February 1972 |
6 years |
10 months |
1 May 1972 |
6 years |
7 months |
28 July 1972 |
6 years |
4 months |
26 June 1973 |
5 years |
5 months |
27 November 1973 |
5 years |
|
6 December 1973 |
5 years |
|
6 December 1973 |
5 years |
|
30 April 1974 |
4 years |
7 months |
7 June 1974 |
4 years |
6 months |
7 June 1974 |
4 years |
6 months |
7 June 1974 |
4 years |
6 months |
7 June 1974 |
4 years |
6 months |
18 June 1974 |
4 years |
5 months |
24 June 1974 |
4 years |
5 months |
24 June 1974 |
4 years |
5 months |
10 July 1974 |
4 years |
4 months |
25 October 1974 |
4 years |
1 months |
5 May 1975 |
3 years |
6 months |
25 June 1975 |
3 years |
3 months |
22 August 1975 |
3 years |
3 months |
13 June 1976 |
2 years |
5 months |
9 December 1976 |
1 year |
11 months |
9 December 1976 |
1 year |
11 months |
9 May 1977 |
1 year |
6 months |
8 November 1977 |
1 year |
|
8 November 1977 |
1 year |
|
14 November 1977 |
1 year |
|
9 February 1978 |
9 months |
|
14 April 1978 |
7 months |
|
14 April 1978 |
7 months |
|
26 April 1978 |
7 months |
The average length of periods listed above is 4.2 years.
(2) The practice is to release a person serving a life sentence after a number of years, which varies according to the circumstances. Among the factors taken into account in determining the date of release are the circumstances of the offence and the general character and stability of the offender. The progress of all prisoners serving life or other long-term sentences is monitored. Regular review meetings are held in the relevant institutions at which the cases of such prisoners are discussed. These discussions are attended by custodial and Department staff as well as by welfare, medical and psychiatric personnel. While there are a small number of prisoners whose detention for a longer than average period appears to be essential in the public interest, it is generally found possible to begin a long-term, phased programme for the offender's release from custody after he has served about five years. The final phasing-out is achieved by the system of temporary releases—daily and full-time—under the Criminal Justice Act, 1960 (No. 27 of 1960).