The number of prisoners in custody on 5 March 1999 was 2,783 with a further 396 on temporary release. Statistics are not maintained in such a way as to readily enable the calculation of the average proportion of sentences served in any given period.
The granting of temporary or early release is a feature of prisons systems internationally and has been operated under statute in this country since 1960 by successive Ministers for Justice. Early temporary release is an important vehicle for reintegrating an offender into the community in a planned way.
Prisoners may be granted early release which must be renewed weekly or allowed full temporary release in the last days or weeks of their sentences.
Before granting early release careful consideration is given to a number of factors, including the nature and seriousness of the offence, previous record, behaviour in custody, length of sentence served and any compassionate grounds which merit special consideration. The overriding concern when decisions are being made in individual cases, is the safety of the public.