Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 21 Feb 1996

Vol. 461 No. 8

Written Answers. - Release of Prisoners Convicted of Rape.

Joe Walsh

Question:

32 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Justice the total number of prisoners convicted of rape released during 1995; the ten cases with the shortest period served for their crime; and the original sentence imposed in each case. [3902/96]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

The compilation of information regarding the number of prisoners convicted of rape released during 1995 on completion of their sentences involves the manual checking of all files of persons released in 1995 from five institutions. This check is being carried out but will take some further time to complete. As soon as the information is available. I will forward it to the Deputy.

On the recommendation of the Sentence Review Group, two persons serving sentences for rape were granted early release as they came to the end of their sentences during 1995. I can confirm that these were the only persons in this offender category granted early release in the period in question. Both prisoners were released under very close probation and welfare service supervision. One offender was released, following a programme of intensive counselling on a one-to-one basis, six weeks early, having served 11 years and 10½ months, on the recommendation of the Sentence Review Group. The other offender, serving a ten year sentence for rape, was granted varying short periods of temporary release during 1995, also on the recommendation of the Sentence Review Group, in the final three months of his sentence, having undertaken and successfully completed the sex offender treatment programme in Arbour Hill Prison. The periods of temporary release varied from a matter of hours to a fortnight's duration.