Vol. 558 No. 2
220 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of times he has used powers under the Criminal Justice Act, 1960, to authorise the temporary release of prisoners within the past ten years. [24058/02]
I am advised by the director general of the prison service that the information requested is not readily available in the detail sought by the Deputy. A new information technology system, which went live in each institution last year, will enable us to provide such information for future years.
On 25 November there was a total of 220 prisoners on temporary release, about 6% of the total prison population. This compares to a figure of 19% of the prison population on temporary release in 1997.
In the past a persistent high level of overcrowding in the committal institutions in the Dublin area resulted in the granting of release in an unstructured manner to many offenders at an early stage in their sentences. The construction of 1,200 new prison spaces in recent years has created a situation whereby the IPS is in a position to accommodate the vast majority of prisoners for the entire duration of their sentences. The revolving door system is now largely a thing of the past.
In the majority of cases temporary release is now granted for constructive and rehabilitative reasons. For example, a prisoner may be released to attend educational and/or training programmes or courses. Another reason is to participate in work training with recognised agencies such as CERT, FÁS or PACE. The aim of this form of temporary release is to help the prisoner with employment prospects on the outside which will have the effect of reducing the risk of reoffending. In addition, short periods of temporary release to visit family members may be granted to prisoners in an effort to reduce the effects of institutionalisation and to aid familiarisation with the outside world. It should also be noted that over 20% of the prisoners on renewable temporary release are life sentenced prisoners, many of whom were released into the community some considerable time ago.
The Criminal Justice (Temporary Release) Bill, 2001, has commenced Second Stage in the Dáil. The purpose of this Bill is to amend the Criminal Justice Act, 1960, so as to provide a clearer legislative basis for the power to grant temporary release by setting down the principles which will apply to the exercise of this power. It will provide a clear and transparent basis as well as the necessary safeguards required for the operation of the system of temporary release.
221 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the total number and percentage of prisoners on temporary release under the provisions of the Criminal Justice Act, 1960, who have been charged for reoffending while on temporary release. [24059/02]
I have been informed that statistics are not maintained in such a way as to give the total number and percentage of prisoners on temporary release who have been charged with criminal offences committed while on temporary release.
All offenders are subject to conditions while on temporary release. If any of these conditions are breached the Garda can immediately return the offender to prison and the temporary release programme is automatically terminated.
