Michael Ring
Question:169 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the authority, if any, he has in ensuring that a person serves the prison sentence imposed. [6837/98]
Vol. 488 No. 6
169 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the authority, if any, he has in ensuring that a person serves the prison sentence imposed. [6837/98]
The Deputy may be aware that most terms of imprisonment are subject to remission as provided for in the 1947 rules for the government of prisons. Remission of sentence does not apply, however, in the case of persons convicted of murder or capital murder. The standard remission rate is 25 per cent of the total sentence which in practice means that a person who is sentenced, say, to four years imprisonment is, generally speaking, liable to serve a maximum of three years. This standard remission rate is known to sentencing judges and has always been considered necessary as an incentive to good behaviour in prison — remission can be lost in whole or in part where a prisoner fails to behave.