John Perry
Question:894 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will authorise more frequent home visits to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21831/01]
Written Answers. - Prisoner Releases.
The person referred to is currently serving a four year sentence for larceny and allowing for normal remission he is due for release on 27 May 2003. I am advised by the Director General of the Irish Prisons Service that this offender is currently on a programme of one weekend temporary release every two months. In addition to this, he has received a number of short periods of temporary release on compassionate grounds.
I am not prepared to increase the frequency of his temporary releases at this stage of his sentence. This has been conveyed to the offender's wife on several occasions by officials of the prisons division of my Department. I should point out that all applications seeking temporary release on compassionate grounds are judged on the individual merits of each particular case.