Vol. 473 No. 6
77 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for Justice the number of prisoners who were granted temporary release for the Christmas period; the number who have not returned in each place of detention; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2189/97]
A total of 359 prisoners were granted varying periods of temporary release last Christmas under the Criminal Justice Act, 1960.
The number of these prisoners who had failed to return to custody by 24 January last was 31, from the following institutions: Mountjoy Male, 18; Mountjoy Female, 1; St. Patrick's Institution, 5; Training Unit, 1; Wheatfield, 3; Shelton Abbey, 1; Portlaoise, 1 (non-subversive); Shanganagh Castle, 1. These individuals are unlawfully at large and may be arrested without further warrant and immediately returned to custody.
