Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 October 2013
403. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of life-sentence prisoners released and the number of life-sentence prisoners recalled to prison in the years 2010, 2011 and 2012; the annual average length of time life-sentence prisoners served in prison prior to release in 2010, 2011 and 2012; the process followed regarding the recall of such prisoners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44372/13]
View answer411. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide annual figures for the number of life-sentence prisoners released and the number of life-sentence prisoners recalled to prison for the years 2010, 2011 and 2012; and the average length of time life-sentence prisoners served in prison prior to their release during the years 2010, 2011 and 2012. [44689/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 403 and 411 together.
The information requested is set out in the table below. In the three years 2010 to 2012, a total of 15 life sentence prisoners were released.
|
- |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
|
Life sentenced prisoners released |
6 |
5 |
4 |
|
Average served in prison |
18 years 3 months |
20 years |
22 years |
|
Life sentenced prisoners recalled |
1 |
1 |
1 |
All prisoners who are serving life imprisonment are eligible to have their cases reviewed by the Parole Board once they have served seven years in custody. The Board, which was established in 2001, makes recommendations to the Minister in relation to the management of offenders serving long sentences. While it is open to the Parole Board to make any recommendation, the experience with the Parole Board is that life sentenced prisoners are normally reviewed on a number of occasions over a number of years before any substantial concessions are recommended.
It is important to note that a life sentence is indeterminate and there is no guaranteed release date. However, it does not always mean life in prison. Persons released into the community continue to serve their sentences, subject to conditions, while on release. While in the community, life sentence prisoners are required to be under the supervision of the Probation Service. The Probation Service provide Progress Reports to the Irish Prison Service outlining resettlement and reintegration progress and will report on any risk management concerns a prisoner may present. Where it is reported to the Irish Prison Service that a life sentenced prisoner in the community is failing to abide by the conditions of their release, that person may be refused a further period of temporary release and be taken back into custody. In addition, An Garda Síochána may return a prisoner to prison where the prisoner is in breach of their temporary release conditions. The Governor of the prison must conduct a hearing during which the prisoner is afforded due process before a decision is made as to whether the temporary release should be revoked.
