Bernard J. Durkan
Question:190 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of offences committed by persons while on bail in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11218/01]
Written Answers - Crime Levels.
Statistics on detected indictable offences committed by persons on bail can be found in the annual reports of the Garda Síochána, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library. The most recent report is in respect of the year 1999. I can tell the House that in recent years there has been a significant decrease in the number of detected indictable offences committed by persons on bail from 6,956 in 1996 to 4,069 in 1999.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:191 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of offences recorded as being committed by persons on the day of release from prison in the course of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11219/01]
I have been advised by the director general of the Prison Service that statistics are not maintained in such a way as to enable the precise information sought by the Deputy to be readily available. The compilation and analysis of statistics must be done manually and as this is an extremely time consuming and staff intensive process it has not been possible to release staff for this work.
A new information technology programme, authorised by me, for the Prison Service is well advanced. As part of the programme a comprehensive prisoner records database is currently being deployed across the Prison Service. This programme will address the lack of accessible information about prisoners, provide management with necessary information and enable the automation of many existing functions.
In an effort to redress the overcrowding problem, which led to prisoners being released early, some of whom reoffended, I have presided over an unprecedented investment in our prison infrastructure. In all more than 1,200 additional prison spaces have been provided with a further 700 closed spaces on the way. As a direct consequence of this ongoing prison building programme, there has been a significant reduction in the number of persons on temporary release. Of the total population of persons under sentence, the proportion on temporary release has declined from 19% in 1997 to a current figure of about 6%. The majority of prisoners on early release at present are on structured programmes, in many cases under the direct supervision of the Probation and Welfare Service. Many of those not on structured programmes have been temporarily released for valid compassionate reasons such as ill health or family related circumstances.