Seán Power
Question:79 Mr. Power asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if victims are notified when prisoners are being released from prison; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3153/01]
Written Answers. - Prisoner Releases.
Serious consideration is always given to the sensitivities and concerns of the victims of crime in all areas of the treatment of offenders. The possible effect of the release of the perpetrator of a serious crime on his or her victim is an extremely important consideration in sentence management.
In certain cases where an early release might pose potential difficulties for a victim's family, such as, for example, where a serious offender is likely to come into contact with his/her victim's family in the community, special measures to prevent this are taken by the prison authorities such as making it a condition of the offender's temporary release not to reside in or go near a particular area. In all instances, the offenders' cases are carefully managed and are kept under continuous scrutiny and review in my Department in consultation with the local prison authorities and, where appropriate, the Garda.
In addition, it is the practice with offenders who are nearing the completion of their sentences for violent crimes, in particular those with a sexual element, for the local prison authorities to inform the Garda of their imminent release. The Garda inform the victims and/or the families, where they believe this is necessary. Also, where victims of crime make contact with my Department and express a wish to be informed in the event of such a release, every effort is made to contact them in the time leading up to the release.
Officials of my Department, in line with the Victims Charter, frequently meet the families of victims to listen to and to record their views. This is a positive development and one that I would like to see continuing in the context of the overall question of sentence administration and management.