asked the Minister for Justice if there is an existing decision in force concerning the discharging of prisoners from places of penal servitude, if Saturday is the normal day of discharge and if he considers that this is a satisfactory procedure as these people cannot gain access to employment exchanges over the week-end and if he will amend this procedure.
Written Answers. - Discharging of Prisoners.
293.
In general a prisoner is discharged on the date his sentence expires, allowing for any remission he may have earned. Where, however, that date would be Christmas Day, Good Friday or a Sunday, the rule is that the prisoner is released on the preceding day.
Arrangements have been in existence since last year between my Department and the Department of Social Welfare whereby a prisoner can complete, prior to his release, the necessary paperwork to obtain unemployment payments on his release and he is given any necessary assistance to do that. In addition, discussions are in progress between the various agencies involved with a view to making suitable arrangements for the making of payments to prisoners who are released from custody at times, including Saturdays, when the relevant unemployment or other welfare offices are closed. I expect that such arrangements can be brought into operation shortly.