Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 April 2014
607. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prisoners currently deemed to have absconded in each of the past six years to date; the number recaptured; the number still at large; the extent to which any such persons have been found guilty of serious offences or are likely to re-offend; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19580/14]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that the number of prisoners deemed to have absconded from the custody of the Irish Prison Service in each of the past six years to date is set out in the following table.
|
Year |
Number of Absconders |
|
2008 |
122 |
|
2009 |
133 |
|
2010 |
112 |
|
2011 |
86 |
|
2012 |
63 |
|
2013 |
18 |
|
2014 |
2 |
As on 25 April 2014, Irish Prison Service records indicate that of the 536 persons who absconded during this time period, 40 remain unlawfully at large. Gardaí are informed when prisoners abscond and they have the power to detain, arrest, and return such persons to prison. Experience has shown that the vast majority of offenders who abscond return voluntarily or are returned to custody to complete their sentences within a short time frame.
With regard to the extent to which any such persons have been found guilty of serious offences or are likely to re-offend, it is not possible to provide figures to the Deputy as this would require the examination of records going back over this considerable time period. Such an examination would require a disproportionate and inordinate amount of staff time and effort and could not be justified in current circumstances where there are other significant demands on resources.
I also wish to advise the Deputy that in October 2012, the Director General of the Irish Prison Service established a project team to examine how the Irish Prison Service might reduce the number of prisoners who are unlawfully at large from custody. The project team has worked closely with An Garda Síochána and the Department of Social Protection and its work has led to the recommittal of a number of prisoners who had absconded from custody. This project is ongoing.
