asked the Minister for Justice if he will state, in relation to prisoners who had been sentenced to life sentences and who have been released in the past ten years, the average length of time actually served, and the longest and the shortest period actually served.
Written Answers. - Serving of Prison Sentences.
288.
The total number of offenders sentenced to life sentences and who were released in the past ten years was 18. The average period served was seven years. The longest sentence served was 11 years and seven months. The shortest was three years and one month and the person involved was discharged on medical grounds. The practice is to release the offender conditionally at first and to consider final discharge after he has been at liberty for some time. A few of the 18 were recalled to custody for a period for breaches of the conditions of their release. Two of them are at present in custody.